December Pathways

Happy almost New Year! What a month we’ve had here at Children’s Place. Check out below what we’ve been up to and what’s in store for the new year.

And, from our kids, families, and staff, we wish you a beautiful beginning to 2022!

2021 Impact Report

In a year fraught with many challenges including the continuation of the pandemic, elevated violence, and economic hardship, we at Children’s Place Association forged forward with our mission to support those who need it most.

See our 2021 Impact Report here.

Adopt-a-Family

A beloved event for our kids and families each year, our Adopt-a-Family program helps make the holiday season memorable for families who struggle to meet basic needs like shelter and food and often can’t afford to buy holiday gifts. Thanks to you, we were able to grant nearly 600 wishes for the 135 families that participated. A special thank you to our Adopt-a-Family sponsor, CNA Financial, for generously supporting this year’s program.

Check out some of the joyful faces and special moments this year.

Thrive Afterschool

Our Child Thrive team continues to create fun and enriching programs for our kids at our afterschool program. Our Thrivers discussed how to identify a bully and what to do if they or someone they know has been bullied. We were blown away at the level of empathy they showed and are super excited to continue these important discussions. The kids tapped into their engineering abilities and creativity by designing their very own bowling game and testing out their uniquely made Monster Trucks. During arts & crafts, our little superheroes made capes for themselves, created their own snowflakes, and enjoyed a poppin’ dance party!

Families also gathered for a Winter Wonderland Family Game Night event complete with fun games, prizes, giveaways, and a homecooked meal by CPA’s own Rodderick Williams.

Familygiving Brunch

Our Early Learning Center team celebrated their annual Familygiving Brunch on November 19. Families and children gathered to pick up a holiday meal and shop around our free donation store for clothing, hats, gloves, and shoes. All families were also entered into a raffle, and 12 lucky families walked away with an array of gifts including household supplies, holiday décor, and Thanksgiving meals to cook.

We have many exciting developments underway for the new year, including plans to launch our new teen-led Mission in Action (M.I.A) program in the spring, expand our Thrive Afterschool programs at new sites, and host our 31st Annual Gala. Stay tuned for more details in our January Pathways newsletter!

A Holiday Gift

As 2021 draws to a close, we all at Children’s Place are filled with gratitude for an incredible year well-spent lifting others up when encouragement, love, support, connection, and empowerment are needed more than ever. Thank you so much for being part of our journey making a positive impact in the lives of hundreds of marginalized kids and families who can’t easily access the same vital resources in life that so many of us have the good fortune to rely upon. In the spirit of the holiday season, we’d like to share a touching story about the kind of “gift” we offer our families.

Read Tamara’s story HERE.

With just a few days left before the new year, we hope you will join us in helping hundreds of others like Tamara whose life circumstances are stacked against them. Please help give others hope by making your year-end, tax-deductible gift today.

Donate here.

Kids Giving Thanks

At a time when many of us are struggling to adapt to a new normal, practicing gratitude is more important than ever. That’s why, during this season of gratitude, we engaged in activities teaching our kids about what it means to be grateful and asked them to share with us what they are thankful for.

Enjoy their delightful responses HERE.

Thank You, CPA Child Champions

We are truly grateful to all those who recently supported our Place the Hope Gala, Giving Tuesday, Adopt-a-Family, and our CPA and Child Thrive programs.

Major Company & Foundation Supporters (October-December)

Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie, Baxter International Foundation, Anonymous, The Christopher Family Foundation, CNA Financial, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Wreath, LLP, Fifth Third Bank, Fresenius Kabi, Google, Inc., Guggenheim Partners, LLC, Hillrom, Hollister Incorporated, The Home Church, Illinois Tool Works, Inc., Jackson National Life, KJC Consulting Group, Konbit Lasante Pou Limonad, Inc., KPMG LLP, Latent Design LLC, Marmon Holdings, Inc., C. Louis Meyer Family Foundation, Pauline Taylor Foundation, Robert Half Staffing, Rossman Family Foundation, Schueler Family Charitable Fund, Shockley Family Charitable Fund, STS Foundation, Takeda, Ventas, Inc., and Vitality Group.

Major Individual Supporters (October-December)

Anonymous, Ivan and Liz Adames, Kevin Amoo-Mensah, Anonymous Donors, Kelly Austin, Richard Bae, Robert T. Bale, Marjorie Benton, Pere Berkowitz, Dave Blickenstaff, Edward & Julie Burke, Terry Clarbour, Daaron and Amy Dohler, Brad and Stephanie Dunlap, Tina Eddy, Eva Fitz Declaration, Cheryl Gelfond, Marie Godush, Abe and Tiffany Goldman, Kristine Hamacher, Karl J. Hanek, Marc Harris, Naomi Hirsch & Greg Philipaitis, Eric Jacobson, David Kalinich, Harold A. Kessler, Tim and Jennifer Koenig, Cathy Krieger and Erik Skamser, Terry and Natalie McAllister, James and Amy McAuley, Leslie R. McLeod, Elizabeth Meekins, Richard and Elizabeth Moser, Jason Muelver & Jenny Lauth, Brinda Nair, Ted and Nancy Otto, Ryan Park, Laurette Petersen, Chris and Jennifer Reddick, Bob Ryan, Marc Schmidt and Courtney Nzeribe, Kathleen R. Sellew, Joan Sherman, Erik Skamser, Kevin Smith, Carole Streicher, Randall Swatland, John and Heather Sweeney, Vanessa Tanaka and Jim Davis, Elizabeth Vadas, Joseph and Mary Ann Villanova, Michael G. Vlamis, Tina and Tom Vujovich, Diana and Steve Ware, James Whitney, and Karen and Steve Zylberman.

Adopt-a-Family Volunteers

Thank you to all who showed up to help organize gift bags for our Adopt-a-Family kids and families this year. A special shout-out to Viviana Grasso for her amazing leadership with this beloved program.

Estefany Alavarez, Beatrice Bedolla, Delilah Bedolla., Fredi Bensdorf, Bob Bensdorf, Sean Cline, Cristina Diaz, Monica Diaz, Lizette Gomez, Martha Garcia, Viviana Grasso, Betty Hall, Bruce Hardy, Ivan Harrison III, Aesha Jackson, Rachel Joynerr, Elyse Morris, Daniela Mota, Kelly Nikitas, Cindy Noguera, Almeta Rollins, Porsche Snowden, Robert Snowden, Kristin Spitz, Sheena Stone, Patrick Taitt, and Rodderick Williams.

Calling All Helpers

Join in and be part of the solution in helping Chicago’s vulnerable kids. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available:

• Once Upon a Time Gala Committee
• Junior Board member
• Adopt-A-Family
• Mentoring youth
• and so much more!

Whatever your skillset or time commitment, we have something that fits YOU!

Email volunteer@childrens-place.org to learn more.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African ProverbAs the African Proverb says, going together gets you further. We’d love to have you stay connected with us to know what’s going on at CPA and how you can be involved.

Stay tuned for upcoming social events as we build pathways for our most vulnerable children to thrive.