This month has been full of meaningful progress across our programs. The Home-Based program brought families together for fun and engaging socialization, while the CFSS team hosted a successful food giveaway, providing essential support to 22 families. The ELC celebrated strong attendance and a team bonding day, and Children’s Place International continued building crucial partnerships for global health and education. It’s been a month of growth, connection, and support, and we’re excited to share the details with you. Keep reading to see how we’re making an impact together!
- Sunday, May 4th, beginning at 1:30 PM, Bingo at Happy Camper (Junior Board fundraiser)
Early Learning Center:
We’re looking for volunteers to create yoga and movement mini-classes and developmentally appropriate science experiences for children ages 2-5 during the Week of the Young Child, April 5th-11th. If you’re passionate about engaging young minds through movement or science, we’d love your help!
Home Base Learning:
Volunteers are welcome on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to help organize diapers/wipes, office supplies, and file documents. Our office is open from 7 am to 3 pm, and volunteers can leave once tasks are completed. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Interested? Email us to get involved!
Check below and see what our amazing teams have been up to over the last month.
Month in Review
The CFSS team had an impactful month with valuable community support and collaboration. One of the highlights was a generous food giveaway hosted by A & L Youth and Family Services, State Representative Jawaharial ‘Omar’ Williams, State Senator Lakesia Collins, and Alderman & Vice Mayor Walter Burnett, Jr. With fresh groceries provided by Trader Joe’s, 22 families were able to select proteins, produce, and dairy items that best met their needs. This inspiring event also sparked the possibility of a future partnership. Our case manager, Angelica, is working on establishing a collaboration that could make CPA a future food drop-off center, ensuring continued support for families. These community efforts demonstrate the power of coming together to create meaningful change and help families thrive.
Month in Review
March was exciting for Child Thrive as we continued our programming at KIPP. Students explored engaging STEM and civic engagement activities, fostering both curiosity and community awareness. On Fridays, our middle school Thrivers dove into fun, math-focused activities, while our primary school Thrivers expressed their creativity through SEL-inspired art projects. We closed out the month with a lively Spring Break Camp, where Thrivers participated in art activities and games centered on self-expression and identity, celebrating what makes each of them unique. It was a month full of growth, creativity, and connection!
CPA shoutout goes to:
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Jerlisa Clark for her incredible dedication to Child Thrive. Your passion and commitment make such a difference.
Month in Review
March was a month of growth and connection at the ELC! Families participated in Get Moving March, learning fun ways to stay active together, and were educated on safe storage and supervision during Illinois Poison Prevention Month. Teachers and parents came together for second home visits, revisiting children’s progress and development since the fall. We celebrated our Winter Attendance Stars for their outstanding attendance and again achieved complete center-based enrollment! To cap it off, staff enjoyed a professional development day on 3/14, including a refreshing team bonding walk around the neighborhood.
CLICK HERE for more pictures.
CPA shoutout goes to:
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Sierra Davis, Helen Mota, and Yesenia Leon for showing amazing resilience during staffing changes, continuing to provide exceptional care for their students.
Month-in-Review
March was an engaging and inspiring month for our Home-Based Program families! During our socialization, children and parents embraced the joy of movement through yoga and stretching activities, fostering a love for physical activity. Families also participated in meaningful discussions about self-awareness and self-harm awareness, while children explored body identification through creative self-portraits and engaging story time.
To further support families, we distributed dental kits and hosted a food giveaway, ensuring access to helpful resources. These gatherings are more than events, they’re opportunities for families to learn, connect, and grow together, building stronger foundations for the future.
CLICK HERE to see more pictures.
CPA shoutout goes to:
- Home visitor Ashley Delgado on earning her Child Development Associate (CDA) certification through the Council for Professional Recognition!
- Home visitors Ashley Delgado and Cristina Diaz for their dedication to supporting families. At a recent food giveaway, families shared their gratitude for the program, highlighting help with tasks like passport applications and the emotional support provided during health challenges.
Dominican Republic Trip
CPI Executive Director John Sweeney, International Program Manager Jennifer Torres, Board Chair Dr. Ty Shockley, volunteers Eric and Katie Hoffman, and research partner Dr. Jeremy Rossman traveled to the Dominican Republic in early March to meet with local partner Clínica de Familia La Romana. The team toured the clinic, visited families in local agricultural communities, and heard directly from teens benefiting from health and education support through the Child Thrive Dominican Republic project.
The team also discussed the impacts of U.S. foreign aid cuts and delays, which are putting children’s lives at risk. Clínica de Familia and other community-based partners around the world are reporting disruptions to life-saving work, including staff layoffs, medicine shortages, and cuts to wraparound services. In some cases, preventive outreach for at-risk individuals, such as those vulnerable to contracting HIV, has been halted entirely.
This issue extends beyond children and families overseas, affecting our own economic and national security. Congressionally mandated foreign aid accounts for less than 1% of the U.S. budget and is a critical investment in global stability, disease prevention, market growth, and other American interests. U.S. farmers supply crops for food aid, pharmaceutical companies distribute vaccines and medicines, and businesses find new consumers in emerging markets. Foreign aid also strengthens alliances and supports shared goals.
Children’s Place International remains committed to bridging these gaps by strengthening community health programs, providing emergency relief, and advocating for sustainable solutions to protect the most vulnerable.
We encourage you to contact your elected officials to advocate for the support of foreign aid.
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
Markel Corporation, Fresenius Kabi, Wintrust Financial Corporation
Major Individual Supporters
Ariana Aloisio, Richard Bae, Alexandra A. Brzezinski, Emily & Jason Ciaglo, Julie Cutter, David Fulton, John and Rachel Heuman, Eric and Katie Hoffman, Anne Joslyn-Skidmore, Binita Kwankin & Joe Hmieleski, Jenny Lauth & Jason Muelver, Leslie McLeod, Ty Shockley, Jim & Mary Ann Sloand, John Sweeney, Jeannie Underwood, Karen & Steve Zylberman
Volunteer. Donate. Join Our Team.
Join us in supporting Chicago’s most vulnerable kids! We have a variety of volunteer, support, and engagement opportunities available. Your involvement helps us provide essential items like art supplies, diapers, emergency gift cards, and more to families in need. Every contribution makes a big difference—thank you for being a part of our community!
Engage with Us Online
You can help amplify CPA’s work by connecting with us on social media. Like, comment, and share our posts to spread awareness, inspire new volunteers, and attract donors to support our mission.
