November Pathways

Gratitude fills our hearts year-round for our incredible kids, families, staff, volunteers, and donors. As November unfolded, it prompted a profound reflection on our journey—where we’ve been and the path that lies ahead. ️ Our families, steadfast companions in our mission, work hand-in-hand with us, crafting promising futures for all.

This Adopt A Family season, our volunteers have gone above and beyond, spreading joy and warmth in abundance. Meanwhile, our dedicated staff tirelessly champions equity, ensuring our families receive the support they deserve.

Reflecting on the year’s accomplishments, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved, yet mindful that there’s much more to be done. Thank you for being an integral part of this transformative journey. Your support fuels our mission and propels us forward. Together, let’s continue making a positive impact and creating a brighter tomorrow.

Peruse the highlights of this eventful month below, and stay tuned for a glimpse of what lies ahead.

Mark Your Calendar 

Check out these fun events we have coming up, and join us! 

Wednesday, December 20: Foster Parent Orientation
Monday-Thursday, December 26 – January 5: Thrive Winter Mini Camps
Wednesday, December 27: Foster Parent Training

CLICK HERE for more event details and volunteer opportunities

* Events open to the public (most of our events are community-based)

Exciting News!
We’ve made a move! Our administrative office is now located at 11 E. Adams St. in Chicago. The heart of the city is our new home! Our administrative, Foster Care and Adoption teams are settling into this vibrant space. At the same time, our other fantastic programs will continue their impactful work at the Early Learning Center and Child Thrive. Change is good, and we’re ready for this new chapter! Please make a note of this new address for any correspondence and donations.

A Season of Hope
The winter and holiday season, a time of warmth and joy for many, becomes an even more trying period for the children and families we support. Their critical needs intensify during this season, making your generosity all the more vital. Your contribution can be the defining factor between a season filled with despair and one overflowing with hope.

With our Hope for the Holidays Campaign, we earnestly seek to raise $25,000 in urgently needed funds to provide critical assistance to children and families in need.

As you gather with loved ones this season, please spare a thought for those who are struggling to meet their basic needs. Children’s Place is a lifeline for these families, providing essential services like health care, education, shelter and food. Your support will give a child the hope they need this season.

CLICK HERE to support our kids and families with your donation.

Welcome New Board Member

Children’s Place Association is thrilled to announce the addition of Eric Hoffman to our esteemed Board of Directors. As the Vice President at Project Management Advisors, Mr. Hoffman brings with him a wealth of expertise in management and facilities operations, coupled with a lifelong commitment to volunteerism both locally and internationally.

We extend a heartfelt welcome to Mr. Hoffman and look forward to the valuable contributions he will undoubtedly make to further our mission.

CLICK HERE to discover more about his background and the exciting journey ahead with our dedicated team.

Meet A CPA Team Member

Check below and see what our amazing teams have been up to over the last month.

Month in Review
November was an exciting month for Thrive. At KIPP, our Thrivers began to create new art pieces using string and continued to create their own alphabet in our coding project. Additionally, we hosted a Fall mini-camp during the Thanksgiving holiday break. During this camp, our Thrivers created stories with origami, enhanced their STEM skills by building a remote-controlled car, and created different art projects with diamond art and magnet tiles.

CLICK HERE for more Thrive pictures.

Join Our Team
We are currently seeking to fill positions for two part-time Youth Coordinators and one part-time Out-of-School Time Instructor.

Join us and be part of our incredible journey!

CLICK HERE to learn more.

Winter Mini Camps
We’re preparing for our upcoming Winter Mini-Camp scheduled from Tuesday to Thursday, December 26th to January 5th, running from 9 am to 3 pm at the Child Thrive Resource Center.

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.

Monthly Meeting
Gathering in person for our monthly parent meeting, we shared a heartwarming “Familysgiving meal” together. While the majority of our monthly meetings remain virtual, the joy of coming together in person to celebrate made the occasion truly special.

CLICK HERE to see more pictures.

Turkey Time
This Thanksgiving, our kids embarked on a feathered rescue mission, saving turkeys in the most creative way! It became a delightful family project that the kids eagerly brought home to collaborate on with their parents. They disguised the turkeys as a ballerina, Hulk, Michael Jackson, and much more. To top it off, they crafted a magnificent turkey tail using fall leaves, turning their disguise into a true work of art.

Home Base Socialization
In November, our Home-Based Team organized a socialization event in collaboration with community libraries, choosing the Back of the Yards branch library as the venue. Families gathered for a unique activity—creating parfaits guided by our nutritionist, Lissette Espindola. This provided an opportunity for families to not only enjoy the hands-on experience but also engage in meaningful discussions about nutrition and share cherished family traditions.

Month In Review
In the spirit of gratitude during this November, our team extends heartfelt appreciation to our incredible volunteers, donors, and partners worldwide. Together, we are weaving a tapestry of hope for the little ones in need, shaping a brighter future.

In this season of thankfulness, we are thrilled to honor Leslie McLeod, our former Board Chair, with a CPI Hero Award! Leslie has been an integral part of the CPI family, joining the Board of Directors in 2011 and assuming the role of Chair in 2013—a position she dedicatedly held until this past June. Her leadership steered us towards meaningful change, fostering a collaborative and impactful community. While Leslie has transitioned from the role of Board Chair, she continues to serve on our Board, contributing to our mission in invaluable ways.

We celebrated Leslie’s achievements at our holiday party on December 5th. More to share in the December newsletter.

CLICK HERE to support Place The Hope.

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
AbbVie, Baird Foundation, Inc., Baxter, Boeing, Bright Promises Foundation, CNA, LabCorp, Shockley Family Charitable Fund

Major Individual Supporters

Chapman, Terry Clarbour, Jeffrey Clough, Brian Connell, Kristine Coogan, Ivan Cortes, Ginna Cowan, Tim Dalton, Jed Davidson, Richard D’Amato, Tom Dennis, William Diest, Doug Dunlap, Lonnie Fogg, Neil Fuller, Emir Gomez, Peter Green, David S. Grzenia, Katherine Hapeman, Andrew Hayes, Roy Hefner, Renee Hunter, Howard Jacob, Betsy Jacobs, Jason Janese, Sujatha Karoor, Adil Khan, Judith Kinley, Binita Kwankin & Joe Hmieleski, Abby Lando, Monica Lanum, John Lewis, Brian MacKenzie, Brent Maner, Maxine Mann, Isaac Martis, Gayatri Mathur, Terry McAllister, Leslie A. McLeod, Joseph Moawad, Aimee Morin, Patrick Motherway, Helen Nead, Peter Newell, Daniel O’Connor, Jeff Olson, Steven Pfeiffer, Thomas Pizzuti, Kirsten Pullen, Jennifer & Chris Reddick, Grace Rhinehart, Todd Rogers, Matthew Roma, Jason Romanos, Dina Sanchez, Ariana Shockley, Jim Tansey, Joe Terranova, Renuka Uppaluri, Vince Walsh Rock, Derek Wiebenson, Doug Wilkerson, Joshua Winer, Barbara Wyzkiewicz, Monica Yaun, Donald Zambarano

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.

Child Thrive
Winter Mini Camp
Monday – Thursday, December 26 – January 5, 9:00 am – 3:00 p.m.
Seeking volunteers for two hours or more to help facilitate programming.

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.

Early Learning Center

Diapers and wipes
Coats and gloves
Non-perishable items for family-giving baskets for raffle for families.

EMAIL US to donate.

 Foster Care 

Gift cards (Visa/MC, Walmart, Target) for families in need or in crisis 
Infant car seats (rear-facing only) generally for kids age birth to 12 months
Convertible car seats (forward facing with harness) generally for kids ages 1–3
Booster car seats (forward facing) generally for kids ages 4-7

EMAIL US if you are able to 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.

Back to School Supplies

Year-Round Needs

Here are some of the opportunities we are looking for:

Full Time:

Early Head Start Teacher & Aide
Health and Nutrition Aide
Family Case Manager
Family Support Specialist (2)
Inclusion Aide
Parent Educator
Program Operations Manager

Part Time:

Foster Care Therapist
Youth Coordinator
Out of School Instructor

Seasonal:

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.  

Become a Child Champion
Ready to make a meaningful impact? Your modest monthly contributions have the power to change lives. Imagine 25, 100, or 1,000 individuals each giving just $10 a month to support our families’ health, combat poverty, and address racial challenges.

Your small donation, like skipping a monthly Starbucks, champions health and racial equity, empowers future success, and sustains an emergency relief fund. Your generosity transforms lives and uplifts our community.

CLICK HERE to join our Child Champions today! Together, we can create a brighter future for our kids.

CLICK HERE TO SEE CPA PICTURES

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.