What an incredible month we’ve had! July was packed with fun, productivity, and impactful moments. We provided our families with valuable legal advice from CARPLS, and thanks to Liberty Mutual & Savings, they learned about saving and even opened kid savings accounts. Publicis Sapient interns lent their support, preparing the ELC for the upcoming school year and taking our kiddos on a walk along the 606 pathway. Belmont Village Senior Living – Lincoln Park also joined in by helping prepare backpacks to set the kids up for success in the new school year. And let’s not forget all the exciting summer camp activities at Child Thrive. What a month!
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
CPA DRIVES
There’s still time to join our July Hygiene Product Drive and Back to School Drive! These essential supplies play a vital role in helping our communities thrive, ensuring that everyone has the resources they need to succeed.
Play with Purpose
We have two exciting events coming up, and we’d love for you to join us!
This Sunday, come out to Highland Park for the 4th Annual Pickleball Open Play, hosted by the Joie & Wendi group of At Properties | Christie’s International Real Estate.
Then, on September 14th, don’t miss our Annual Cornhole Tournament at the Field House in Humboldt Park.
Join us, ‘play with purpose,’ and support our kids and families. We can’t wait to see you there!
CLICK HERE for more pictures.
Interns Unite!
We are honored to partner with Publicis Sapient! Their amazing group of interns helped organize our Early Learning Center for the upcoming school year and took a fun walk with our kiddos on the 606 trail.
It’s partnerships like these that empower us to continue supporting our children and families, ensuring they lead better and healthier lives. Thank you, Publicis Sapient!
Thank You Belmont Village
Our partnership with Belmont Village Senior Living – Lincoln Park continues to flourish! Recently, residents came together to fill backpacks with back-to-school essentials for our kids. This incredible effort ensures they have the materials they need to thrive and succeed in the new school year.
Junior Board 2025
As we started our new fiscal year on July 1st, join us in welcoming our 2025 Junior Board members! They will play a key role in building awareness, fundraising, and volunteering.
Meet CPA Members and Ambassadors
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
Summer Camp has been a blast! Over the past six weeks, our Thrivers have grown individually and as a community through team-building and new friendships in our Monday Madness competition. They’ve embraced new activities and skills, with creativity flourishing thanks to partnerships with Sky Art, Red Clay Dance Company, and Graphic Design. We’re excited to continue camp for the next two weeks and end summer on a high note, ready for the school year ahead.
ACT NOW Illinois STEM Club
Child Thrive has been selected to be a part of the ACT NOW Illinois STEM Club for the 2024 – 2025 school year. This club will provide curriculum, materials, and training for our Child Thrive STEM program and staff. “I am delighted that we have been selected to be a part of the ACT NOW STEM Club and excited to see how it will enhance our STEM programming and hope it will lead to more resources and opportunities,” said Jakina Dortch, Child Thrive Director.
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.
A big shoutout goes to:
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Tim Young. His leadership at Child Thrive Summer Camp this summer has been outstanding. His guidance has fostered significant growth in both the team and the youth. Tim consistently demonstrates why he is such a valuable asset to Child Thrive.
Month in Review
In July, we wrapped up our program year and began enrolling for the upcoming school year. We hosted two events with community partners: an “Ask A Lawyer” event with CARPLS Legal Aid and a “Savings Skills” seminar with Liberty Bank for Savings. Additionally, our Early Head Start students are transitioning into their preschool rooms and getting to know their new teachers.
CLICK HERE for more pictures.
Pizza Party on a Good Job!
We recently hosted a pizza party to celebrate classrooms with outstanding attendance during the spring months! While Head Start goal is 85%, we pushed for 90%, and we’re thrilled that three classrooms exceeded this target. Consistent attendance and solid routines are crucial in preparing our students for kindergarten and beyond
Monthly Socialization
This month’s home base socialization was a blast! We dove into literacy by creating Hungry Caterpillar headbands and practicing color identification.
Socialization is so important for young kids—it helps them develop communication skills, build friendships, and learn from one another. Together, we’re making learning fun and fostering a supportive community for our little ones!
CLICK HERE for more pictures.
Month in Review
Although our staff remains busy managing their cases, many foster care team members have been practicing self-care and taking much-needed vacation time. This has required us to work closely together to ensure proper coverage for all required visits and appointments. Despite these adjustments, we’ve started the new fiscal year with a bang, taking in three new intake cases this month. Additionally, we recently assisted DCFS by placing three homeless children with special needs into one of our licensed foster homes. The children are now safe and thriving in their new environment.
A big shoutout goes to:
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Almeta Rollins, who recently took on three new intake cases. Almeta immediately stepped up to the challenge, earning high praise at her first court hearing. The judge and court staff commended her for providing an outstanding report, filled with more helpful information than they had seen in the past six years.
Pictured: The Global Child Thrive Coalition currently includes (from top left): John Sweeney (Executive Director, Children’s Place International); Micol Werner (Director of International Programs and Operations, CPI); Katherine Hapeman (Associate Director of Development and Communications, CPI); Jennifer Torres (International Program Manager, CPI); Mina Halpern Lozada (Executive Director, Clínica de Familia La Romana); Dr. Jeremy Rossman (President and Founder, Research Aid-Networks); Dr. Ty Shockley (CPI Board Chair); Dr. Wesler Lambert (Executive Director, Zanmi Lasante); Dr. Jim McAuley (CPI Board Member and Clinical Director of the Whiteriver Indian Hospital); Dr. Esther Majaliwa (Head of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit and Coordinator of the Sickle Cell and Hemophilia Care Center, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre); Dr. Festus Njuguna (Head of the Paediatric Haemato-Oncology Unit, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital); and Cinaiya Stubbs (President & CEO; Children’s Place Association). Not pictured is Dr. Florence Kimondo (CPI Board Member and clinical therapist).
Global Child Thrive Coalition
In July, the Children’s Place International team virtually hosted the inaugural Global Child Thrive Coalition meeting with community-based organizations and advisors from Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Tanzania, Kenya, and the United States. This dynamic group aims to prevent deaths and trauma in young people by addressing inequitable access to healthcare and economic opportunities.
Using a common framework, Coalition partners focus on disease prevention, treatment, and providing pathways out of poverty through education, career training, and family support. By combining decades of experience, the Coalition aims to make a greater impact on vulnerable children and youth facing life-threatening illness or trauma than individual organizations could achieve alone.
We look forward to sharing more about the Coalition’s projects and impacts in the coming months!
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
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, Inc., Colonel Stanley R. McNeil Foundation, Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, PayPal Giving Fund, Risk Placement Services, Rossman Family Foundation, WGIRLS
Major Individual Supporters
Denise Apple, Lori Coffey, Stephen Galler, Craig Johnson, Fradine Kipnis, Vicki Kellerman, Karen Kolditz, Binita Kwankin & Joe Hmieleski, Jeff Mandel, James McAuley, Chris and Katie Metzger, Leslie A. McLeod, Michael Romano, Samuel Sharp, David Shelist, 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 2: End of the Year Celebration from 3:00 – 5:00 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.
Your support helps us provide essential items like art supplies, diapers, emergency gift cards, and more to families in need. Every contribution makes a big difference in their lives. Thank you for being a part of our community!
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
- Kitchen Coordinator
- Licensing & Recruitment Coordinator
Full Time
- Parent Educator (Home Visitor)
- Supportive Housing Program Supervisor
- Teacher Aide, Early Head Start
- Teacher Assistant, Early Head Start
- Teacher Assistant, Head Start
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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