FY24 Annual Report
JULY 1, 2023 – JUNE 30, 2024
Dear Friends,
The dictionary defines a champion as 1) a person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals AND 2) a person who fights for a cause on behalf of someone else. This year, we embraced what it means to walk upright in our champion status and, in doing so, rejoiced with the families and communities that were strengthened by our efforts and your support.
I think most of us enter a new year with musings on what the year will bring, what we can accomplish, who we will be able to help, and who we will become in the process. For the Children’s Place Association, 2024 was that and more. In these 12 months, we closed out our expiring strategic plan and witnessed the continued dynamic growth of the Child Thrive Initiative. A significant component of the expiring plan, the Child Thrive Initiative continued its dynamic growth trajectory despite losing its preeminent supporter due to a shift in the funder’s priorities. What began as the profound desire to address the growing need for youth and adolescent supportive services in the Humboldt Park community is now the U.S/domestic partner in the International Child Thrive Coalition – a collective of community-focused, equity-minded leaders and organizations centered on the shared goal to combat preventable childhood deaths.
This year marked the 25ᵗʰ birthday of the Arthur Jones Early Learning Center and the loss of the Center’s namesake with the passing of Arthur Jones. In the coming year, we will embark on a mini-campaign to honor his legacy and his life’s commitment to early learning. And to call attention to the need to continue adequately investing in early education for under-resourced families and communities. The research teaches us that doing so builds not only the necessary educational preparedness for young minds but the social and adaptation skills that children need to navigate the world around them.
The Child & Family Support Services team is preparing to expand its reach as it builds the infrastructure to become a Medicaid biller. This move achieves immediate scale as the team will then be able to provide care and case management to any Medicaid enrollee, even those who are not housed with us. This allows us to more comprehensively serve the longitudinal needs of our families by creating continuity of service. For example, young adults aging out of foster care will be able to be transitioned to the CFSS team and continue to receive necessary care as they grow into adulthood. Moreover, it allows us to add a dimension of care to all families across our program spectrum.
This past year, we were confronted with the grim reality that children with medical complexities sometimes succumb to those challenges. With the loss of two of our foster care youth, the team was tasked with assisting the families with arrangements for memorials, partnering with DCFS to provide emergency counseling assistance to families, and navigating their grief at the loss of precious lives. Yet, they continue to move young people through a complex system, marching them toward secure families and finalized adoptions.
Over these 12 months, we took some hits, were knocked a few times, and perhaps suffered some bruises—but we were never deterred. Besides, how do you become a champion without being battle-tested?
Thank you for joining us in the fight to empower families across Chicagoland.
Your Fellow Champion,
Cinaiya Stubbs
President & CEO, Children’s Place Association
FY23 Highlights
The year marked a transformative period for Children’s Place as the world transitioned from the pandemic. Systemic challenges and staff shortages persisted. A harsh Chicago winter posed an additional hurdle, with frozen pipes flooding our suite, rendering our main space uninhabitable for several months.
Resilience Amidst Setbacks: Undeterred by setbacks, our dedicated team persevered in providing essential services to our families, demonstrating their incredible resilience and commitment to our mission.
Addressing Mental Health Challenges: Responding to the rising prevalence of mental health issues, we proactively welcomed a clinical psychologist to our team, enhancing our ability to better assist our families in navigating their myriad challenges.
Milestones and Collaborations: The year saw the first live adoption event since 2019 and establishing a new partnership with KIPP and Child Thrive. Key leadership changes and new hires further strengthened our team.
Celebrating Support and Achievements: Acknowledging long-term supporters and receiving awards for staff and leadership, the year was characterized by growth, change, and a renewed focus on spreading awareness of compassion and a shared sense of connection within our community.
We thank our dedicated volunteers, generous donors, committed staff, and visionary leaders for standing by our side and sharing in our successes. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in our achievements this year.
Looking Ahead: As we reflect on the year, we contemplate what it means to show up and contribute meaningfully, creating sustainable pathways for those in need. The journey continues, guided by a shared commitment to positively impact the lives of the vulnerable children and families we serve.
Remembering a Leader
Robert Tone Bale
While there was a lot to commemorate, we also had to bid farewell to one of our biggest advocates, Robert Tone Bale, a founding board member and early leader of Children’s Place, who passed away on July 23, 2022 at the age of 83. Tone served on our Board for 18 years (1989-1999 & 2013-2021) and was instrumental in forging the path that led us to where we are today. His legacy and contributions will forever remain in our hearts.
Celebrating Long-Term Dedication
Ms. Janice Evans
Children’s Place honored Ms. Janice Evans at our annual “Building Bridges” celebration for her 20 years as a CPA foster parent. Her dedication to nurturing and supporting foster children exemplifies the transformative power of love and stability in a child’s life. Ms. Evans’ presence at the event inspired others to consider the vital role they can play in making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Ms. Evans has opened her heart and home to 16 foster children, leaving an indelible mark on their lives and embodying the mission and values of our organization.
Live Adoption Event
After a long, two-year wait, we held our first in-person adoption event in Chicago on November 18 at the Daley Center. Chief Judge of Cook County Timothy Evans, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, DCFS Guardianship Administrator Janet Ahern and others were there to celebrate this momentous occasion. The best part of the day was having long-term Children’s Place foster children, Joseph (8) and Valerie (12), adopted by their maternal aunt, Rosa.
Joseph announced loudly, “It’s over now? Yay! I get to live with you forever now!” Valerie shared a similar sentiment, “So it’s finally done? My name is Vasquez now? Wow, I’m so happy. Thank you so much!” And Rose rounded out the celebration with, “Wow, I can’t believe it’s finally over. Thank you so much! Patrick (CPA Case Manager) gets things done!”
Award-Winning Team
Leadership Changes
The Beginning of a Partnership
Child Thrive forged an exciting new partnership with KIPP One Academy in Austin – a public charter school part of the nationally renowned Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), allowing Thrive to reach even more at-risk youth with their afterschool programs.
Early Learning Center gets a Fresh Look
On June 24th, members of our Junior Board, Katie Conroy and Derek Breese, along with Children’s Place staff and volunteers from Mesirow gathered to paint the entrance sign for our Early Learning Center, helping the outside reflect the warmth inside our beloved space.
Special Events
From our We Are One Chicago celebration to our second annual Pickleball FUNdraiser and much beloved, annual Adopt a Family event, our 2023 special events were a true testament to the transformative power of community, purpose and impact. Within these moments of shared enthusiasm and passion, we fostered connections, raised vital funds, and amplified our impact, fueled by the collective energy of those who believe in making a difference.
We Are ONE Chicago Celebration
The We Are ONE Chicago Celebration – Building Bridges, Connecting Communities – on June 2nd united diverse individuals in a powerful display of unity and community. This enchanting event provided a dynamic platform for sharing inspiring stories and celebrating our remarkable achievements. With exceptional speakers Cinaiya Stubbs and Jakina Dortch, and a heartfelt tribute to Ms. Janice Evans for her extraordinary 20 years as a Children’s Place foster parent, the celebration showcased the profound impact of mentorship, guidance, and support in shaping lives and inspiring greatness.
Amidst these connections, we raised $108,325.00 – a testament to the generosity and commitment of our community, reinforcing our collective dedication to fueling positive change. Together, we forged connections, laughter echoed, and inspiration flourished, reaffirming our commitment to impactful work and the boundless potential within our community.
Play With Purpose – Pickleball
Over 150 pickleball enthusiasts participated in the Second Annual Pickleball fundraiser at Maggie Daley Park and raised $10,000 in support of Children’s Place Association.
Special thank you to @properties co-hosts Joie DeGraff, Wendi Gordon of Joie and Wendi Real Estate Group, and long-time volunteer and donor Fredi Bensdorf.
Adopt A Family
In the spirit of community and generosity, our Annual Adopt a Family Gift Program thrived this year, embodying the proverbial “it takes a village” sentiment and then some! Thanks to the overwhelming support of our donor families, thousands of gifts were contributed, spreading joy to 143 families in need.
Adopt A Family – Family Donors
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the unwavering supporters who have been with us throughout the years, making a significant impact:
The Cahill sisters — 30 years!
10 years…
Chicago Kindness Club
Sarah Gornik
Melanie Harris
Jennifer Homan
KPMG
Ginny Moffat
Jennifer & Chris Reddick
Ginny Moffat
Marc Schmidt & Courtney Nzeribe
Danyeil Simmons
Chicago Programs
Children’s Place Association is a champion for Chicago’s most vulnerable children – those facing extreme poverty, health issues, abuse/neglect, homelessness, and neighborhood violence. We provide critical assistance to children and their families to maximize the impact on the child’s future. Since opening in 1991, we have helped Chicago-area children and parents break the cycle of adversity in four key areas of impact:
Health
Education
Family Support
Financial Stability
Scope of Services
Early Childhood Education
Foster/Adoptive Care
Supportive Family Housing
Case Management
Mental Health Counseling
Afterschool Programs & Summer Camps
Youth Mentoring
Primary Care Access
Family Services and Support
FY23 IMPACT REPORT
(July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023)
Impact By the Numbers
Early Childhood Education
78 vulnerable children participated in high quality early education
34 children received home-based early education
100% of children (18 in total) graduated from preschool fully prepared for kindergarten
2,467 hours of service
34,310 meals
Supportive Housing
14 of formerly homeless families stably housed (35 people)
100% of households with serious illness
Nursing
90 Medically complex children received care
Foster / Adoptive Care
72 children served
41 Had health issues or disabilities
8 children received permanency
(4 adopted, 2 GUARDIANSHIP, 1 reunited with birth parent,
1 child became independent)
Case Management
21 families served
Mental Health
66 clients received mental health services
Summer Camps
15 children participated in our summer camps
Child Thrive
47 kids participated in our afterschool programs
Number of Program Participants:
294
Race/Ethnicity:
Children’s Ages:
Gender:
FAMILY INCOME:
of participants had incomes under $20,000
Chicago Neighborhoods We Serve:
Located on Chicago’s westside, Children’s Place Association serves children and families throughout the city.
CHILDREN’S PLACE LOCATION
CHICAGO ZIP CODES WHERE OUR PARTICIPANTS LIVE
CITY-ADJACENT SUBURBAN ZIP CODES WHERE OUR PARTICIPANTS LIVE
Child and Family Support Services
Meet Suzy
Meet Suzy, a mom facing some tough challenges. With her two daughters in DCFS custody, the court set out a list of tasks for her to complete, including development classes, mental health counseling, and drug testing. As Suzy attended court sessions over Zoom, our program supervisor noticed something important: Suzy seemed to struggle with audio and visual cues, hinting at a possible cognitive disorder.
Thanks to the support of Children’s Place leadership, we pushed for a cognitive evaluation. The results showed that Suzy’s reading ability was at a third-grade level. With this information, we advocated for an ADA accommodation, which the court granted. This opened up new possibilities for Suzy.
With ongoing support, Suzy not only completed the required tasks but also achieved sobriety, leading to an end to mandatory drug testing. The court recognized her progress, allowing in-home visits with her daughters. Suzy is now being assessed for supervised overnight visits, marking a significant step forward for her and her family.
Meet Karen
Meet Karen, someone with big dreams and an even bigger heart. With the guidance of CFSS staff, Karen set a SMART goal to not only improve her finances but also to enroll in a Certified Nursing Assistant program at Malcolm X College. What inspired her? Her mother, who bravely faces HIV, and the support she received from Children’s Place Association.
Karen’s journey wasn’t without hurdles. Financial strain and reduced work hours made attending classes a challenge. But, Karen didn’t give up. With the support of CFSS staff and a determination that knows no bounds, she sought resources and overcame these obstacles.
Thanks to Karen’s diligence and tenacity, she not only secured financial support but also successfully completed the nursing program. And that’s not all—she’s continuing her educational journey by enrolling in Chamberlain University’s Registered Nursing Program.
CHILD THRIVE
Meet Jayden
Jayden is a 12-year-old who, when he first joined Child Thrive, faced challenges regulating his emotions, leading to behavior incidents. With various interventions and support, Jayden underwent a remarkable transformation. He now exhibits improved self-control and consistently makes better decisions.
Now, let’s introduce Yukari
Yukari is an 11-year-old who initially struggled with managing emotions and decision-making upon joining Child Thrive. Since returning to KIPP this school year, Yukari has become a leader, making smart decisions and serving as a positive role model for younger peers, including her siblings.
Jayden and Yukari joined Child Thrive in January 2023 during our partnership with KIPP. Although Jayden isn’t participating this school year, he remains enthusiastic when we visit KIPP. Despite having summer school last summer, he expressed a desire to be part of our summer camp.
Working closely with Jayden involved multiple conversations with him, KIPP staff, and a parent conference. Jayden returned with a transformed behavior after implementing a reflection period, during which he couldn’t attend programming. The change was significant – he actively participated in sessions, distanced himself from negative influences, and became a joy to work with.
Early Learning
HOME BASED
Meet the Ortiz Family
Meet the Ortiz family – a heartwarming tale of transformation. Over two years in our home-based program, we witnessed a significant journey. Initially focused on their daughter, Arcely, we soon understood the wider family needs. Arcely’s brother, dealing with bipolar disorder, required support beyond our usual scope.
That’s where our holistic approach stepped in. We linked the Ortiz family with a mental health consultant, leading to a specialized clinic referral for the son. Our team provided guidance, answered their questions, and ensured access to crucial mental health resources. Even as Arcely faced initial separation anxiety, our support and engaging activities helped her blossom in our nurturing program.
Now, this once-anxious 2-year-old radiates joy within our program, a testament to the positive impact of our holistic family support.
CENTER BASED
Meet Luna
Meet Luna who, at the start, faced some challenges in development and social-emotional growth. Our team came together to support Luna’s family, discussing strengths, areas of concern, and creating personalized plans. We talked with Luna’s mother about what we observed, tried different approaches, and set goals for progress.
With her mother’s consent, Luna joined Behavioral Support Groups, led by a master’s level intern. We helped the family access Early Intervention services, leading to a plan for special education through Chicago Public Schools. Luna received an official diagnosis of Autism Syndrome Disorder, and we assisted in setting up services at a local school, even arranging transportation.
Fast forward to the current school year (2023-2024), and Luna is thriving in a half-day program at CPS! Teachers rave about her language development, and we’ve seen improvements across the board – in academics, social skills, communication, behavior, and practical life skills.
Thanks to this progress, Luna has moved to a classroom that’s less restrictive and doesn’t need a one-on-one aide anymore, reflecting the remarkable transformation she’s made since starting with us according to her mother.
Meet Tara’s Family
Tara enrolled in the program for the first-time last fall. At the time, she was doubled up in a small apartment with her own two children, her sister and nephew after relocating back to Chicago from central Illinois. After almost a year of advocacy and patience, Tara finally got all of her subsidies and benefits switched back to Cook County and has been able to move into an apartment of her own, gotten a full-time job with benefits, and is very close to reaching her financial goal to buy her first car! Meanwhile, her daughter has been making incredible strides with the program and is currently showing incredible verbal and literacy abilities for her age!
Foster Care and Adoption
Meet Jamiah
Jamiah is a resilient 2-year-old with special needs who entered DCFS care last winter under heartbreaking circumstances. Her journey began when her mother and partner brought her to the ER, unresponsive and with signs of child maltreatment – facial bruising, a brain bleed, and healing rib fractures. Jamiah faced non-accidental trauma, seizures, eye wounds, and a daunting condition preventing her from swallowing.
After five challenging months of treatment, she found solace in one of our specialized foster homes – a pivotal step towards healing. Her father, Tywan, who was noncustodial at the time, remained a constant presence throughout her transitions. The Children’s Place team worked tirelessly with Tywan to complete necessary services for reunification, providing medical training, in-home nurse visits, and ongoing support.
Tywan’s dedication and progress reached a significant milestone a few weeks ago – Jamiah was officially reunited with her father, moving into his home after an emotional goodbye with her foster family. Our Foster Care team will continue to support Jamiah and her father for at least 6 months in aftercare until the case is closed in court.
This heartwarming journey highlights the incredible progress made by Tywan and Jamiah, supported every step of the way by our dedicated staff. At Children’s Place, this is what we do – we stand by families, nurture healing, and celebrate reunifications.
Unfortunately, only a small percentage of children who are removed from the care of parents are reunited. An even smaller percentage are returned home by the court to their father – making Jamiah’s story all the more special.
In the second year of its existence, Child Thrive has continued its effort to empower the West Humboldt Park neighborhood by developing collaborative strategies that improve daily living conditions, increase resilience in youth, strengthen the social fabric and enhance health and safety for all residents.
With continued funding support from the R3 grant, we were able to host a fun-filled summer camp, allowing youth to engage in artistic, cultural, and recreational activities while exploring Chicago. Additionally, new funding support from the Department of Family Support Service (DFSS) Enrichment year–round grant afforded us to expand our services in the West Humboldt Park community by partnering with KIPP One Academy, our first school partner. Our partnership with KIPP One has allowed us to spread our afterschool programming and increase our reach within the community. This partnership has strengthened our programming by implementing data driven, research–based curriculum that meets our youth’s academic needs while developing their artistic and life skills.
As Child Thrive continues to build, our afterschool programming will spread to more schools; our summer camps will grow from a mini-camp to a full camp. Additionally, our Mission in Action program will be relaunched, allowing our programming to be implemented in more high schools. With these efforts, we will continue our mission of changing the lives of the residents of West Humboldt Park and surrounding areas’ residents.
Jakina Dortch
Child Thrive Director
Child Thrive Core Focus Areas
Youth Success
Social and Emotional Learning
Community Activism
Positive Relationships & Identity
Healthy Lifestyles
Safe Spaces
Program Highlights
Thrive Summer Enrichment: A Season of Growth and Adventure
In our second year of Thrive Summer Mini-Camps, we witnessed a remarkable season of enrichment, skill-building, and the blossoming of new friendships, all made possible through the continued support of our valued community partners.
Program Features:
- Diverse Enrichment: From basketball to theater, tennis to healthy cooking, our mini-camps offered a diverse range of activities to cater to every camper’s interests.
- Creativity Unleashed: Campers explored their artistic side with team-building exercises, arts & crafts, and even ventured into the world of music video making.
- Water Adventures: Thanks to our partners at Goldfish Swim School, swim lessons became a highlight, ensuring both fun and safety for our campers.
- Outdoor Thrills: Rock climbing added an extra layer of adventure, encouraging campers to conquer new challenges and build resilience.
Exciting Excursions:
- Underwater Wonders: The Shedd Aquarium fueled a love for marine life.
- Iconic Landmarks: Navy Pier and an architectural tour showcased the beauty of our city.
Summer Camp Partners:
Thanks to our partners – Silk Row Rising, Grassroot Tennis, JPA “We Rock,” Goldfish Swim School, C.H.E.F. Illinois, YMCA, and Chicago Adventure Therapy – for making Thrive Summer a success.
Together, we created a summer of growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences.
Thrive Afterschool at KIPP: Nurturing Minds, Fostering Growth
In January, Child Thrive expanded its services to enrich afterschool programs at KIPP One Academy – our first school partner. Our dynamic Thrive programs included:
Art:
Introducing students to diverse artistic forms and media, this course served as a creative haven. Through engaging exercises and mini-games, students explored self-expression, honed critical thinking skills, heightened emotional awareness, and grew in self-understanding. By the course’s end, they had not only expanded their creativity but also gained a deeper understanding of their environment.
Music:
Empowering students to use music as a tool for positive change, this course guided them in collectively writing a song on a topic of their choice. From lyric analysis to understanding the impact of music, students delved into the transformative power of their own voices. Every part of the song aligned with the intention of their message, reinforcing the idea that music can be a catalyst for impactful change.
STEM:
Igniting a spark of curiosity, our STEM course immersed students in the fascinating realms of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, fostering their confidence, teamwork, and communication skills while also equipping them to tackle challenges with resilience and collaborative ingenuity.
Thrive Fridays
Nurturing Community Bonds
Thrive Fridays, our latest initiative, is dedicated to providing a safe and engaging space for youth in West Humboldt Park and nearby neighborhoods. Focused on promoting prosocial behavior, accelerating student achievement, and fostering life skills development, this program offers a variety of artistic, cultural, and recreational activities.
Family Night
Once a month, Thrive Fridays transforms into “Family Night,” bringing families together for bonding activities. This dedicated time strengthens familial connections and contributes to a more closely-knit community.
Thrive Fridays is not just a program; it’s a platform for community building, growth, and connection.
“Child Thrive has been an invaluable resource to KIPP One Academy. The program director, Jakina Dortch, has afforded KIPP One a multitude of opportunities to engage in various community partnerships that has enhanced student learning and participation. The organization’s effort on developing emotional intelligence has increased our student’s ability to cope with and respond to unique social-emotional economic challenges.”
“Our partnership with KIPP represents an exciting and dynamic collaboration, characterized by its status as a developing partnership with ample room for growth and expansion.”
“Having Child Thrive partner with KIPP has been an enlightening experience. The need for a social and emotional afterschool program was evident. Our participants have grown to use healthy communication habits and learned how to handle problems with patience and understanding. It has been a wonderful experience growing with our partnership.“
Partners
Community Partnerships
We’re wholeheartedly devoted to building bridges with community partners as the foundation of uplifting our children and families. Whether it’s teaming up with corporations or the sincere dedication of individuals, we’re immensely thankful for their invaluable contributions to weaving the fabric of our community.
Aetna Better Health of Illinois and their team of representatives from All Terrain provided bags of fresh produce and creative ways to educate and engage our families about the power of clean nutrition and growing your food.
The Residents of Belmont Senior Living came together to fill backpacks with school supplies for our kids and positive notes to inspire each student. Special thanks to @properties / Christie’s International and Old St. Pat’s Church for their generous support in donating school supplies and to American Solutions for Business for donating 140 backpacks.
Thanks to Bridge Industrial, our CPA kids have 20 new bikes to ride. Their team enjoyed a fun, team-building exercise assembling the bikes and dropping them off to our kids’ delight.
Kirkland & Ellis (the world’s largest law firm!) hosted two team-building exercises this year for our benefit, building stuffed animals for our early learners and filling and donating backpacks for our Back to School drive. A big shoutout to Melissa Nickle from Corporate Teams for introducing us!
Team Publicis Sapient shows up monthly to interact with the kids at our Early Learning Center to read, play, and provide educational materials. Their involvement with Children’s Place has even inspired them to start a volunteer committee at their company.
Dear friends,
There may be no worse experience for a parent than to see their child suffering from a life-threatening illness in communities where there are no doctors and no medicines. And even when care can be found, parents may learn that costs are far in excess of what the family can pay. Such is the situation for tens of thousands of children in low- and middle-income countries, where kids suffer and altogether too often die from treatable or preventable illnesses.
In response, this past year, the team at Children’s Place International worked with community partners and funders to meet the critical healthcare needs of children and teens and to support their journeys out of poverty through comprehensive support:
- Healthcare – including medical services, mental health support, and nutrition;
- Family Support – including safe housing, emergency aid, and support groups;
- Education – including support through university or technical school and afterschool programming; and
- Sustainable Livelihoods – including skills development, internships, and job counseling.
We are so grateful to undertake this work with our community-based partners and our CPI supporters. Thank you again to our community for making a tremendous difference in the lives of young people around the globe.
Leslie McLeod
Board Chair,
Children’s Place International
John Sweeney
Executive Director,
Children’s Place International
CPI Highlights
Children’s Place International has the immense honor and responsibility to join children from around the world on their path to well-being. The kids and family members we serve face extreme poverty and are vulnerable to preventable and treatable illnesses. We work with in-country partners in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Tanzania, Kenya, and Sierra Leone to build local capacity so the most vulnerable can thrive.
“I would like to thank them [the CPI community] because they have supported me since elementary all the way through secondary school. It is thanks to their support that I reached that level. Apart from God in heaven, they have been my only hope. And I think that there are other children in the same situation that I found myself in. So, I would love for them to make more efforts, if possible, to support more children because like they say, children are the future of the country.”
– Evans, a secondary school student
Dominican Republic
Project Launch
Last November, Children’s Place International launched a new partnership with Clínica de Familia La Romana in the Dominican Republic to provide critical healthcare, mental health supports, and educational scholarships to more than 150 teens living with or affected by HIV/AIDS or other vulnerabilities. Additionally, the project provides funding to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS through education. The project was actively supported by the Children’s Place International Dominican Republic Steering Committee.
Tanzania
Project Launch
Building on project work initiated with Takeda, Children’s Place International launched a new partnership with Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi, Tanzania. Led by Dr. Esther Majaliwa, one of only six pediatric oncologists in Tanzania, a country with a population of 64 million people, the project provides lifesaving care for children with cancers and supports their education during their months-long stay at the clinic. Dr. Majaliwa and her colleagues have raised the one-year pediatric cancer survival rate for kids seen at their center from approximately 20% to 60%.
Working through Severe Hardships in Haiti
This past year, the political, economic, and security environment in Haiti led to severe hardships for the children, teens, and families in the CPI Haiti program. Children’s Place International, in partnership with Zanmi Lasante, worked with urgency to help respond to the ongoing crisis.
In addition to providing health and educational supports, CPI provided additional funding to help stave off malnutrition and meet other family emergencies. Incredibly, the ZL team has not stopped working throughout this time despite threats to their personal safety and security.
At the end of year, in a testimony to all who have supported this project and most especially to the students and their families, 125 kids are continuing in school, 54 are in university or technical school, and another 23 have graduated from university or technical school.
Skilled Volunteer Program in Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Haiti
Children’s Place International continued our partnership with Takeda to support skilled volunteers from the company to work with NGO partners in Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Haiti. Volunteer work included providing technical assistance on pediatric cancers, mental health, diagnosis, laboratory infrastructure, epidemiology, and research methods. These vital contributions helped expand the reach and impact of NGO partners.
“The clients I am serving are my extended family members and my dearest friends. They consider me the main support on what they can rely on all the time. Working with those families for this program is a mutual support; they are part of my life.”
– *Miri, a former CPI client turned CPI community caseworker
Place the Hope Campaign
The Place the Hope campaign raised an astounding $280,000 in direct support of the children and families in our programs.
Children’s Place International also honored two individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to helping children overcome severe illness and poverty – former CPI Board Member, Ted Otto, and in-country partner from Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Tanzania, Dr. Esther Majaliwa. See our video honoring Dr. Esther Majaliwa’s child cancer care work in Tanzania.
“When I became really sick, I thought everything was over for me. I couldn’t pay school fees or buy food for my children. I couldn’t get to the doctor or the pharmacy. It was Children’s Place that helped me with these things. Now, my children go to school and live like all children live.”
— A mother living with HIV, raising two children on her own
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
(For fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. Unaudited figures subject to change)
| ASSETS | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash & Cash Equivalents | 310,148 | 470,096 |
| Marketable Securities | 831,417 | 682,890 |
| Accounts Receivable | 574,523 | 495,175 |
| Net Property & Equipment | 5,714,689 | 5,986,422 |
| Other Assets | 683,599 | 273,239 |
| Total Assets | $8,114,376 | $7,907,822 |
| LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Current Liabilities | 1,081,021 | 1,008,456 |
| Long-term mortgage payable & other | 578,191 | 441,507 |
| Total Liabilities | 1,659,212 | 1,449,963 |
| Temporary restricted net assets | 271,745 | 128,040 |
| Unrestricted net assets | 6,183,419 | 6,329,819 |
| Total Assets | $8,114,376 | $7,907,822 |
| REVENUE | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Governmental service fees & grants | 4,702,602 | 6,474,293 |
| Individual foundational & Corporate giving | 1,087,793 | 916,223 |
| Investment Income | – | 32,247 |
| Other Income | 978,428 | 448,536 |
| Total Revenue | $6,768,823 | $7,871,299 |
| EXPENSES | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Program Services | 4,824,179 | 6,012,430 |
| Management & General | 1,014,652 | 1,221,943 |
| Fundraising | 1,245,655 | 581,558 |
| Total Expenses | 7,084,486 | 7,815,931 |
| Change in Net Assets | (315,663) | $55,368 |
| EXPENDITURES BY PROGRAM | AMOUNT | % |
|---|---|---|
| Family & Community Services | 730,346 | 9% |
| Foster Care & Adoption | 1,763,978 | 23% |
| Early Learning | 2,161,347 | 28% |
| Child Thrive | 551,313 | 7% |
| International | 805,446 | 10% |
| Administration | 1,221,943 | 16% |
| Development | 581,558 | 7% |
| Total Agency | $7,815,931 | 100% |
FY2023 EXPENDITURES BY PROGRAM
| REVENUE BY FUNDING SOURCE | AMOUNT | % |
|---|---|---|
| Governmental service fees & grants | 6,474,293 | 82% |
| Individual foundational & Corporate giving | 916,223 | 12% |
| Investment Income | 32,247 | 0.4% |
| Other Income | 448,536 | 6% |
| Total Agency | $7,871,299 | 100% |
Boards & Committees
Donors
$50,000+
Anonymous Foundation
Paul M. Angell Family Foundation
Takeda
$25,000-$49,999
The Christopher Family Foundation
Crown Family Philanthropies
Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
Rossman Family Foundation
$10,000-$24,999
Anonymous Donors
A. Montgomery Ward Foundation
Baxter International Foundation
CIBC Bank USA
Colonel Stanley R. McNeil Foundation
DIFFA Chicago
Henry S. Givray
Hollister Incorporated
Konbit Lasante Pou Limonad, Inc.
Markel Corporation
Robert & Kathy Ryan
Marc Schmidt & Courtney Nzeribe
Nancy Siepman
STS Foundation
Pauline Taylor
Frank E. & Seba B. Payne Foundation
Tom & Christine Vujovich
Willens Family Foundation
$5,000-$9,999
Anonymous Donors
Vivian Brigham
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Inc.
CNA Financial
Zachary Erickson
Marc & Kathleen Harris
KPMG LLP
Danielle Litinsky
Terry & Natalie McAllister
Dr. James & Dr. Amy McAuley
Leslie McLeod
Mesirow Financial
Thomas & Keri Muldoon
Quality Truck & Trailer Repair
Robert & Kathy Ryan
Ty & Lorena Shockley
STS Foundation
John & Amy Ward
$1,000-$4,999
Anonymous Individual donors
Abbvie
Ivan & Liz Adames
Adobe
William Bailey
Belmont Village Lincoln Park, LLC
Marjorie Benton
Munisha & Viresh Bhatia
David Blocker
Blur Product Development
BNY Mellon Bank
Thomas Bridges
Harry F. & Elaine Chaddick Foundation, Inc.
Chicago Trading Company
Terry Clarbour
Cotter Consulting, Inc.
Eva Fitz Declaration
Daaron & Amy Dohler
Faegre Drinker LLP
Brad & Stephanie Dunlap
Tina Eddy
Fifth Third Bank
Garrett French
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Linda Gartz
Cheryl Gelfond
Goldfish Swim School of Roscoe Village
Goldfish Swim School of Wicker Park
Abraham & Tiffany Goldman
Naomi Hirsch & Greg Philipaitis
Eric & Katie L. Hoffman
John Hughes
Jackson National Life Insurance
Howard Jacob
Damon Jones
David & Carolyn Kalinich
Harold A. Kessler
Cathy Krieger
Tim & Jennifer Koenig
Jeff & Janell McDonald
McKesson
Kevin Amoo-Mensah
Maria Micale & Vincent Hager
Richard & Lisa Moser
Norene A. & Raymond J. Mulligan
Christopher Murphy
Brinda Nair
Una Ortel
Nancy & Edward Otto
Chris & Jennifer Reddick
Benjamin Roach & Ilana Rosen
Matthew Roma
Benjamin J. Rosenthal Foundation
John Seely
Kathleen Sellew
Smithbucklin
Mary Ann & Jim Sloand
Jason Stuhldreher
John & Heather Sweeney
Vanessa Tanaka & James Davis
Derryl Taylor
Valmark Securities Global Gift Fund Committee
Joseph & Mary Ann Villanova
The Whitney Family
Karen & Steve Zylberman
In Kind Sponsors
Aetna Better Health of Illinois
All Terrain
American Solutions for Business
Away
Bridge Industrial
Burns & McDonnell
Caret
Constellation
Cotter Consulting, Inc.
Cradles to Crayons
Danielle Birkhofer & Vicky Feldman
Dave Greznia
Firefly Events
Foster Love
Fredi and Bob Bensdorf
Gold Group – @properties
Humboldt Park Park District
JoAnn Fabrics
Kirkland & Ellis
Lakeshore Athletic Club
Mesirow
Meta Wine
Morningstar, Inc.
No Fine Print Wine
Old St. Pat’s Church
Publicis Sapient
Robyn Lynn
Sam Adams
Sneaky Fox
Lettuce Entertain You
Leader Bar
Target – Crestwood
Wine for Humanity