What a summer we’ve had! So much has been going on that we wanted to take a quick moment and catch up on some of our happenings from the recent past, present, and future. Come along for the ride and join us! 

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Child Thrive Mini-Camps 

Child Thrive kicked off its first summer with seven mini-camps featuring basketball skills, Double Dutch skills, video editing, mindful arts and crafts, and more! Kids from 8 to 13 had so much fun playing, creating, learning, and meeting new friends!  

Child Thrive summer mini-camps

Early Learning Graduation 

We recently celebrated our 2021 Pre-K graduation, and we couldn’t be prouder of the hard work, courage, and dedication the kids and their families put in to reach the finish line! Pre-K graduation is a meaningful day for our students, their families, and teachers alike. Everyone came together to commemorate this momentous milestone and to recognize the outstanding work and support of all the staff.      

“Our children are very well equipped to take on the next part of their personal and educational lives. They have formed a strong foundation, and I feel especially confident that we have given them a great start in life with the resources and tools needed for a successful adventure!” said Porsche Snowden, Director of Education and Support Services and Operations. 

Pre-K Graduation 2021

Lucy R. Sprague Summer Camp 

This summer marked our 20th year offering a four-week summer camp for youth whose lives are impacted by family illness. “We adore having CPA kids…seeing their excitement and joy when they swim or run around the open campus in a safe setting.  It makes our summer,” said Kathy Chuckas,  Camp Director. 

Lucy Sprague Summer Camp

Putting the FUN in fundraiser 

Nearly 90 pickleball enthusiasts showed up for the First Annual Pickleball FUNdraiser hosted by Joie and Wendi Real Estate Group at Maggie Daley Park benefitting Children’s Place Association.  Players were greeted by a beautiful day full of sunshine and friendship, enjoying delicious food and drinks provided by local Lake Shore East restaurants and vendors.   

Children’s Place Chief Development & Communications Officer – Shantal Alonso, JD – and Associate Director of Development for International Programs – Katherine Hapeman – were both onsite to educate folks about Children’s Place’s mission and life-changing work for Chicago’s most vulnerable families.  Chief Initiatives Officer, Maurice Fears, also stopped by and shared an inspiring speech with the attendees.   

The event brought in $7,000 for CPA, helping us to continue our much-needed work. It’s the committed efforts of people like Joie DeGraff, Wendi Gordon, and Fredi Bensdorf that infuse CPA with the support and enthusiasm for which we are so grateful. 

Special thank you to all who supported the event and to the event sponsors: Joie & Wendi Real Estate Group, Uno Pizzeria & Grill, Avli Inspired Greek, Gunderson Law Firm, Bradley Rasof Guaranteed Rate, Lake Shore Athletic Club, and Advanced Electrical Supply Company.   

Special thank you to all who supported the event and to the event sponsors: Joie & Wendi Real Estate Group, Uno Pizzeria & GrillAvli Inspired GreekGunderson Law FirmBradley Rasof Guaranteed RateLake Shore Athletic Club, and Advanced Electrical Supply Company. 

Pickleball FUNdraiser

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Child Thrive After School Programs 

Our Thrive Afterschool program has officially started and runs from 3–6 pm Monday through Friday. Homework help, leadership opportunities, games, snacks, and more! Week one started off with tapping into problem-solving abilities, an impromptu push-up competition (the record is 23.5 in a row!), a LIT dance party, and exploring our environment to detect the shapes that surround us! 

The rave reviews are already coming in:

“I love BEING here. I have so much fun, and I like how you care about me.” Ardenia, Grade 2 

Week 2 featured the start of our wellness programming and activities focused on physical health, relationship building, managing our emotions, and social skills. We are excited about week three, and the coming weeks ahead.

Our primary care services will also commence with Dr. Margi joining us onsite on Wednesdays from 1–5 pm featuring free health consultations. 

Place The Hope

YOU’RE INVITED to Children’s Place International’s biggest celebration of the year…all from the comfort of your own home!

This powerful event brings the CPI community together to benefit vulnerable children worldwide who are struggling with access to healthcare, nutritious food, and education. Come celebrate with us in honoring Cathy Krieger, President and CEO of CPA, and Loune Viaud, former Executive Director of Zanmi Lasante/Partners in Health, Haiti, for their 30+ years of dedication to building greater equity for all kids.

This special hour-long event takes place on Thursday, October 21, at 7 pm central.
Register HERE for this important evening of celebration, and learn what’s ahead. 

Adopt-A-Family

One of our favorite activities is happening soon, and we need your help! 

Children’s Place Association’s Adopt-A-Family Annual Holiday Giving Drive is a beloved seasonal event where families facing extreme poverty and illness are matched with a kind-spirited individual, family, or company.  Adopt-a-Family helps make the holiday season memorable for nearly 200 families who struggle to meet basic needs like shelter and food and often can’t afford to buy holiday gifts.

Help spread some holiday cheer this season.  Email adoptafamily@childrens-place.org to get involved today! 

 

Special THANK YOU to our sponsor, CNA, for generously sponsoring our 2021 Adopt-A-Family

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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. 

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Giving Tuesday

Mark your calendars! Children’s Place Association will be participating in Giving Tuesday on November 30, 2021.  Giving Tuesday is a powerful National Day of Giving, raising funds and generating awareness for those in need. Our goal is to raise $25,000 for a community investment fund.   

We believe that communities are strongest when all people feel cared for, invested in, nourished, and valued, and everyone has an equitable opportunity to contribute to the well-being and growth of themselves, their families, and their communities.  

One of the ways we build strong communities is through providing grants to local community partners who align with our vision to build sustainable, community-based, collaborative initiatives that address the social, economic, and racial inequities impacting families in West Humboldt Park and strengthen our region’s vitality. 

On November 30, we hope you will join us in advancing equity and building a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

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Receiving Gratitude

“Children’s Place has a wonderful support system,” said Latonya Minor, who adopted her nephew.
“Even after adoption, I still have relationships and connections with the agency. They are awesome.
They actually make you feel like family. Call on them. If there are services you need, they are there.
If you need to talk, they are there.” 


Giving Gratitude

We at Children’s Place Association are dedicated and passionate about helping Chicago’s vulnerable children, and we couldn’t do it without the amazing community of our committed volunteers and the incredible support from all our generous donors and sponsors! THANK YOU! 

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“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.