Our summer is off to a dynamic start with a range of exciting activities and milestones. Thrive summer camps are in full swing, the Early Learning Center celebrated Father’s Day, clients are successfully transitioning out of CFSS, and a foster care teenage client has successfully moved into a living program.
Our partners have been incredible, with Cotter Consulting building bikes and Yetter Consulting Services assisting the ELC in preparing curriculum binders. We also bid a fond farewell to Elizabeth Marek, a long-time CPA supporter from Old St. Pat’s Church, as she embarks on her well-deserved retirement.
Join us in perusing the highlights of this eventful month below, check out some fantastic events on the horizon, and stay tuned for a glimpse of what lies ahead.
Upcoming Public Events
- Sunday, August 4, noon – 4:00 pm: Fourth Annual Pickleball Tournament.
- Saturday, September 14, 10 am – 1 pm: First Annual Cornhole Tournament
July Hygiene Drive
Help us support families in need with our July Hygiene Drive! We understand that when resources are low, self-care often takes a back seat, yet it’s essential for living your best life. From shampoo to toothpaste and more, these everyday essentials make a significant difference in someone’s wellbeing. By donating essential products from our Amazon Wish List today, you can brighten someone’s day and empower them to care for themselves with dignity and comfort. Your generosity will help us ensure everyone has access to the basics they deserve. Together, we can promote wellbeing for all in our community. Thank you for your support!
Please check out our Amazon link below, shop from the list, or use it as a guide to find the best prices elsewhere. Items can be shipped or dropped off at:
Children’s Place Association, 1800 N Humboldt Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
As always, we thank you for your support, kindness and friendship. Please reach out with any questions via email vgrasso@childrens-place.org or call direct
773-930-2478.
Pickleball Anyone?
Are you a pickleball enthusiast? Join us on August 4th for the 4th Annual Pickleball Fundraiser, proudly hosted by the Joie and Wendi Group of At Properties | Christie’s International Real Estate. Don’t miss this exciting event—come out and show your support!
Cornhole Anyone?
Get ready for a day of fun and competition at our First Annual Cornhole Tournament! It will happen on Saturday, September 14th, at the Humboldt Park Park District, the perfect way to spend a mid-morning with friends and family.
Tickets are only $25, and you can form teams of four or sign up as an individual, and we’ll place you on a team. Plus, there are exciting prizes to be won!
Bikers!
A team from Cotter Consulting, led by Sue O’Connor, joined us once again to help us build bikes. This team-building activity was a fantastic experience, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support, partnership, and BIG volunteering hearts. Thank you, Cotter!
The Power of Organization
A huge thank you to Yetter Consulting Services for assembling accreditation binders for our Early Learning Center. Your help with this time-consuming and detailed task is greatly appreciated. We value your hard work and dedication!
Happy Retirement
We attended an emotional and heartfelt gathering to honor Elizabeth Marek, Old Saint Pat’s Outreach Coordinator. Beth has been a key resource and loving friend to CPA families, collecting essentials like diapers, formula, school supplies, and more. This lovely reception celebrated her 24 years of service, community love, and support. Congratulations on your retirement, Beth! You are a national treasure and will be deeply missed!
Meet CPA Members
Click on images to learn more.
Check below and see what our amazing teams have been up to over the last month.
Month in Review
CFSS is pleased to announce that one of our families has successfully relocated to the south side of the city. The Jones family (name changed for privacy) were long-time residents of WHP and actively participated in many of CFSS’ programs, including the Child Thrive’s Summer Camp and after-school services. Despite facing numerous challenges, including financial hardship and a death in the family, the Joneses remained steadfast in their commitment to improving their quality of life. We wish them well in their continued pursuit of success.
Month in Review
After concluding our programming, we dedicated the first half of June to preparing for our summer camp, which began on Monday, June 17, 2024. We are excited to welcome our Thrivers to an enriching eight-week camp. This summer promises to be filled with engaging activities such as hip-hop dance, swimming, photography, art, and much more. We look forward to a fantastic and memorable summer with our campers!
Grant Award
We are thrilled to announce that Child Thrive has received the SGA Youth and Family Microgrant. This program supports new or existing youth out-of-school time programs in specific Chicago community areas. Child Thrive is honored to be a recipient of this grant, which will significantly enhance our summer camp. With this funding, we can acquire more supplies, increase staff hours, and cover transportation costs for field trips. This grant will enable us to provide an even more enriching experience for our campers. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Sports Physicals & Pediatric Consultations
Is your child feeling under the weather? From common colds to COVID-19 concerns, we’ve got you covered! Take advantage of our complimentary school-age pediatric consultations offered in collaboration with Rush and Dr. Margi. Every Wednesday (unless Dr. Margi specifies otherwise), from 1–5 pm, we’re available to provide expert guidance and support. Don’t miss out; schedule your appointment today by emailing Diana.
Month in Review
In June, our program successfully completed our quarterly education checkpoints, reflecting on the strengths and areas for improvement in our classroom curriculum. We also celebrated our father figures with a Game Night. As summer progresses, we are now focused on recruitment and enrollment for the upcoming program year in August.
Father’s Day Celebration
Our early learners had a blast celebrating their amazing father figures with an unforgettable game night! Father figures joined the fun with activities like bowling, bingo, Jenga, card-making, freeze dance, and more!
2024-2025 Enrollment Open
Help your child gain a head start in life by enrolling them in our Early Learning Center or our Home Visiting program. Secure their slot for the 2024-2025 Program Year commencing August 26th, 2024, by conveniently completing our online application. Let’s embark on this transformative journey together!
CLICK HERE to apply.
Month in Review
We are currently working to close out the fiscal year ending on 06/30/2024 and have updated our contracts for the new fiscal year. Following three successful adoptions last month, we have begun accepting new intake cases. Additionally, our staff has been actively collaborating with families to identify various summer activities for the children.
A big shoutout goes to:
- Patrick Taitt for his outstanding efforts in helping a teenage client transition into a living program! Your dedication and hard work are truly appreciated.
Haiti Relief!
Special thanks to everyone who contributed to our emergency fund for Haiti.
We raised over $9,000 to support children and families with food assistance, medical care, fuel, and other urgent needs. Edna, one of our community-based team members in northern Haiti, shared, “People are so happy for the emergency support Children’s Place International has provided and say thank you very much.
They are praying because things are very difficult, and people are having to make sacrifices, including with feeding their families.” Currently, over 5 million Haitians are suffering from acute hunger.
We remain hopeful that Haiti’s new interim government will help alleviate the suffering and trauma the country is experiencing. We will continue to stand with our Haitian friends through all the hardships and joys to come.
Partnerships & Collaborations
Our team consistently explores avenues to engage local corporations in funding and volunteer opportunities with the aim of creating a network of child champions.
Major Company & Foundation Supporters
Deborah C. and Ronald A. Oye Family Foundation, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Promus Equity Partners, Rossman Family Foundation, Yetter Consulting Services
Major Individual Supporters
Denise Apple, Alexandra A. Brzezinski, Michelle Donovan, Craig Johnson, Mike and Carol Killian, Karen Kolditz, James McAuley, Leslie A. McLeod, Tina and Tom Vujovich, Bianca Wilson
Volunteer. Donate. Join Our Team.
Join in and be part of the positive solution in helping Chicago’s most vulnerable kids. We have a variety of volunteering, support, and engagement opportunities.
Early Learning Center
- August 6: End of the Year Celebration from 11 am – 4 pm, private for families of participants, running different stations and set up/clean up
- August 14: Graduation from 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM, running stations, passing out food, set up/clean up
EMAIL US if you are interested in volunteering.
Home-Base Learning
We are looking for a volunteer to come in twice a month on a Monday from 10 am – 1 pm to help sort and organize for the twice-monthly socialization event.
EMAIL US if you are interested in volunteering.
Donor Engagement Committee
Volunteers needed to help champion our mission, connect us to new partners/sponsors/donors/volunteers, and build visibility for Children’s Place in the broader community.
For more details on role descriptions and/or to learn more, EMAIL US.
Calling Young Professionals
Looking for young Chicago professionals who are interested in making a positive impact, connect with other young professionals, and have a great time. Join our Junior Board.
CLICK HERE to learn more and apply.
Ongoing Opportunities
There are plenty of volunteer and donation opportunities throughout the year. Check out which might be most suitable for you:
- Host a friend & family house party or fundraiser to benefit Children’s Place
- Get involved with Adopt a Family
- Lead an employee group community service day and/or fun activity day with our kids & youth
- and so much more!
CLICK HERE to inquire.
Child Thrive
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- Cooking & baking supplies (measuring cups, spoons, bowls, etc.)
- Kids digital cameras
- Board games (Games like Trouble, Sorry, Headbandz, checkers, chess, Jenga, Spoons, Candy Land, Monopoly, Would you rather for Kids, Charades for Kids, Don’t Break The Ice, Connect Four, Pie Face, Memory Board, Guess Who, Color Brain, Bop It, Clue, Giant Connect Four, Guess in 10 etc.)
- Playing Cards and Uno
EMAIL US to donate.
Early Learning Center
- Diapers and wipes
- Gift baskets for End of the Year Celebration raffle prizes.
EMAIL US if you are able to donate any of these needs.
Foster Care
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Gift Cards: We can always use gift cards to have them on-hand for families who may be in crisis and/or children who experience foster home placement disruptions.
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Car Seats: Infant, convertible, and booster seats needed to use when we place children in their home.
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Foster Homes Licensing Needs: Smoke/CO2 detectors and thermometers for measuring water temperature.
EMAIL US if you are able to donate any of these needs.
Home-Base Learning
- Children’s clothes from 0 to 3-years-old
- Volunteers to support with data entry and organizing materials in office
EMAIL US if you can donate any of these needs.
General – All Programs
- New or gently used winter clothing
- Toiletries, essential household supplies
- Baby items (formula, diapers, etc.)
EMAIL US if you are able to donate any of these needs.
Here are some of the opportunities we are looking for:
Full Time:
- Family Case Manager
- Foster Care Aide
- Health & Mental Health Coordinator
(Home-Based) - Health & Nutrition Aide
- Inclusion Aide
- Licensing & Recruitment Coordinator
- Parent Educator (Home Visitor)
Full Time
- Supportive Housing Program Supervisor
- Teacher Aide, Early Head Start
- Teacher Assistant, Early Head Start
- Teacher Assistant, Head Start
- Youth Coordinator (summer intern)
On Call
- Substitute Teacher
CLICK HERE for more details on open positions and how to apply.
Invest in a Child’s Future
We believe EVERY child and family deserves equal access to care, safety, and shelter – regardless of circumstances or zip code. Your support helps us provide critical services to those most affected by serious health issues and extreme poverty.
Ready to create change? Your monthly $10 donation, or less, can support health, fight poverty, and address racial challenges. Skip a Starbucks and champion health, racial equity, and emergency relief. Join Child Champions now for a brighter future!
CLICK HERE to make an impact.
Come join us socially
An easy way to support CPA’s work is by engaging with us on our social media channels. By liking, commenting, and sharing our work, you help us expand our reach bringing in new volunteers, donors, and awareness.
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