Our Impact

Since opening our doors in 1991, we’ve served more than 5,000 Chicago-area children and parents struggling with health issues and poverty through our comprehensive programs.

Children’s Place Association uses evidence-based models and our programs have established methodologies for evaluation of effectiveness and client outcomes. We collect and evaluate data to measure progress and we use a formal Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) process to monitor and improve the performance, quality and effectiveness of the services we provide.

Located on Chicago’s west side, Children’s Place Association serves children and families throughout the city and surrounding suburbs.

“Children’s Place is like family to me. They have supported me and my children and helped keep our family strong and united…. I don’t think the staff or supporters will ever fully know how much they have impacted my life.”

Sandra
former Children’s Place client (Supportive Housing and Early Learning Center); employed at a Fortune 500 company; purchased her first home in 2015

Areas of Impact

Challenges and Research

Children who face the dual challenges of illness and poverty are less likely to grow into accomplished students, successful workers and engaged citizens. The work of Children Place Association is aimed at transforming the future for these children through our focused model of early childhood education, social services, health care and family supports.

Child Poverty in Chicago

• According to a 2017 Report by the  Social IMPACT Research Center at Heartland Alliance, 27.2% of Chicago children under the age of 18 live in poverty. That is roughly 151,000 children.
• 2018 American Community Survey – Illinois that child poverty rates are highest for the youngest children under age 5. Early childhood poverty can have especially harmful effects on academic achievement, health outcomes and economic opportunities in adulthood.
• Illinois Kids Count 2015 found that child poverty rates are highest for the youngest children (under age 6). Early childhood poverty can have especially harmful effects on academic achievement, health outcomes and economic opportunities in adulthood.

Children and Homelessness

• The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) estimates that families make up 40% of Chicago’s homeless population.
• A 2018 CCH analysis indicated there were 20,799 homeless children in Chicago – 27% of the city’s total.
• Children who are homeless go hungry at twice the rate of other children, have three times the rate of emotional and behavioral problems and are eight times more likely to repeat a grade.

Proven Benefits of Early Education

Children who receive quality early education are:

• 29% more likely to graduate high school
• 19% more likely to secure employment
• 24% more likely to own a home

• 50% less likely to need special education
• 50% less likely to become teen parents
• 70% less likely to be arrested for a violent crime before age 18