What a month it’s been! With the start of the school year, all of our programs have been buzzing, working alongside our families to ensure they’re set up for success. And we couldn’t do it without our incredible supporters! From Cotter Consulting’s generous Back to School Drive, to a $5,000 donation from Allied World Insurance, Love Charlie’s shopping extravaganza, and fun-filled evenings with CPA leaders and friends—it’s been a month to remember!
As we look ahead, we’re gearing up for an exciting 4th quarter with our Adopt A Family Drive kicking off soon and a major fundraiser hosted by WGIRLS. Stay tuned for more ways to get involved! Check out more details below and see how you can get involved!
Upcoming Public Events
- Thursday, October 31: Fall Festival (volunteer opportunity, 9:45 – 11:30 AM)
- Saturday & Sunday, December 7 & 8: Adopt A Family Gift Sorting
- Sunday, December 8: Hope Fore The Holidays fundraise
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.
Join Us for Our Adopt A Family Drive!
Help us spread joy to families in need this holiday season! Whether you choose to become a donor, a volunteer, or both, your support makes a difference. Donor families can shop for gifts, while volunteers help sort and prepare them for delivery.
*Donors will receive their families mid-November, and sorting takes place December 7th & 8th.
Ready to make an impact? Learn more about how you can get involved through the links below!
Hope ‘Fore’ The Holidays
Winter may be around the corner, but there’s still time to sharpen your putting skills! Join us on Sunday, December 8th from 1:00 – 4:00 PM for a fun afternoon benefitting CPA—complete with drinks, appetizers, amazing raffle prizes, and silent auction items! Huge thanks to WGIRLS for hosting this fantastic fundraiser. Don’t miss out—come for the fun, stay for the impact! CLICK HERE to learn more and purchase your tickets. We’ll see you there!
Hospitality with a Mission
On September 13, we proudly hosted our inaugural Hospitality with a Mission event, graciously held at the home of Senior Board member Eric Hoffman and his wife, Katie. Thirty guests, including CPA leaders, Board members, friends and community supporters, gathered for an intimate evening featuring a chef-prepared dinner by the talented Ken Labok and his wife, Kim, and a curated wine tasting led by sommelier Michael Torrey.
The meal was nothing short of spectacular, with Ken and his team serving up a delectable array of culinary delights that left guests raving. Every course was carefully crafted, making the dining experience truly memorable and reflective of the passion behind Children’s Place Association’s mission.
Special thanks go to Eric and Katie for their incredible attention to detail and warm hospitality. Their thoughtful touches and welcoming atmosphere made everyone feel connected not only to each other but to the important work being done by CPA. The evening was all about fostering connections and raising awareness, and thanks to their generosity, it was an unforgettable success.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Eric, Katie, Ken, Kim, Michael, and all our guests for making this wonderful night possible.
Leadership Meet & Greet
What an incredible evening bringing together CPA leadership, Junior Board members, and friends of CPA for food, drinks, and, most importantly, meaningful connections! As many of our Junior Board members are new, we toured the Early Learning Center to see firsthand the magic that happens daily when it’s filled with bright, smiling young students. Though our roles may differ, we’re all united in our mission to uplift families and provide the support they need to thrive.
Leadership Calling
Our Chief Philanthropy & Communications Officer, Shantal Alonso, recently completed Leadership’s Calling, a unique six-month leadership development experience led by Henry Givray, former CEO of Smithbucklin and a longtime supporter of Children’s Place Association. Shantal joined 17 other leaders from across the country, spanning various industries, on a journey that was nothing short of transformative.
Reflecting on the experience, Shantal shared:
“This was more than a leadership course—it was a deeply personal and professional journey. Every session challenged me to lead with greater purpose, vulnerability, and courage. Henry’s wisdom and guidance pushed me to expand my vision, embrace my potential, and approach leadership with intention and authenticity.”
Shantal’s participation in this series has not only shaped her leadership but has also renewed her passion for making a meaningful impact at Children’s Place Association, inspiring her to lead and uplift others with even greater purpose.
“I’m especially grateful to Cinaiya Stubbs, Children’s Place President & CEO, for supporting my participation in this program and for her continued encouragement and belief in my growth.” – Shantal
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Thank You Cotter!
They’re at it again! A huge shoutout to Cotter Consulting, Inc. for making a difference for our families. Special thanks to Keisha Johnson, Annie James, Fred Petelle, Borut Vujic, Cindy Kopfman, and Sue O’Connor for gathering eight boxes of school supplies for our students.
Thank You Allied!
A huge shoutout to Ronda Weiler and Allied World Insurance Company for their generous $5,000 unrestricted donation to CPA! It’s the incredible support from companies like Allied World that helps us grow our mission and make a real impact. And a special thank you to Ronda, who’s not just a donor but also the proud mother of our amazing Junior Board member, Belle! The family that serves together helps others thrive, and we’re so grateful for their dedication to CPA.
Thank You, Love Charlie!
Megan Morrison, owner of Love Charlie and Little Charlie, hosted a fantastic fundraising event on September 26th. Shoppers enjoyed a warm welcome and a beautifully curated selection at her boutiques, with a portion of sales benefiting the Children’s Place Association. Customers sipped and snacked while browsing fall favorites and more.
Check out this wonderful shop and support a great cause HERE—you’ll love it! Thank you, Megan and team, for your generosity; it’s people and businesses like you that help us provide vital resources and opportunities for families to thrive.
Thank You, Marc Schmidt & KPMG
A huge shoutout to Mark Schmidt and KPMG! We’ve been accepted into their literacy program, giving our educators access to valuable educational resources and books.
Support from incredible people like Marc and long-time partners like KPMG fuels our mission, helping our families build brighter futures.
Welcome MSW Interns
Welcome to the Early Learning Center
We are thrilled to welcome our incredible MSW interns from the UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work to the Early Learning Center family! Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Bianca Mattison, Annie Schejbal, and Feyza Yucel-O’Mahony.
From September through May, these dedicated interns will play a vital role in elevating our work and helping families thrive. They will support our mission through a variety of projects, including facilitating caregiver meetings, conducting family and child reviews, leading small social-emotional learning groups, and providing classroom support.
Their passion and fresh perspectives will enhance our programs, ensuring we create an even more nurturing environment for our children and families. We are excited to see the positive impact they will make in our community, and we’re honored to be part of their journey as they start their impactful careers in social work!
Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
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
After wrapping up our summer camp in early August, we’ve spent the last two months preparing for an exciting fall! We’re thrilled to return to KIPP at the end of September, ready to welcome back our Thrivers and meet new students.
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.
CPA shoutout goes to:
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I want to highlight the efforts of the Child Thrive team, Jerlisa Clark, Yadira Santoyo, and Tim Young, who continues to work hard to provide fun and engaging programming for our Thrivers. – Jakina Dortch, Thrive Director
Month in Review
In the first month of our school year, we welcomed many new faces as we work toward total enrollment. Families completed orientation and safety training, had the opportunity to get a City Key Card, and participated in our second CARPLS Ask A Lawyer Legal Aid event. Our program also hosted an NAEYC site visit.
As September is Safety Month, both classroom and parent events focused on key safety topics, including pedestrian and car seat safety, recognizing community helpers, and emergency procedures at school.
Five families also received legal consultations on family law, tenant rights, and education rights. Nearly 60 City Key Cards were printed for our parents, students, and staff!
CLICK HERE for more pictures.
In September, our home-based team focused on pedestrian safety—an important skill for setting kids up for success in life. During a recent socialization session, the children practiced safety through a fun nutrition activity. They created their stoplights using kiwi and strawberries, cut out shapes, and walked around the room following “green light/red light” cues. Activities like these teach essential life skills early on, from healthy eating to safety awareness, helping children build the foundation they need to thrive as they grow.
CLICK HERE to see more Home Base pictures.
CPA shoutout goes to:
- Well done to our newest Home-Based visitor, Ashley Delgado, who has been doing an amazing job enrolling families and completing all the start-of-year steps!
Month in Review
This month, our Foster Care team kicked off the review and development of the annual Foster Parent Law Implementation Plan, revising foster parent rights and responsibilities. They’ve also officially begun preparing for COA reaccreditation.
CPA shoutout goes to:
- Huge kudos to Foster Care Case Manager Martha Garcia for successfully closing the cases of two children recently reunited with their mother. During the final court hearing, the judge praised Martha for her dedication and hard work over the years. Congratulations, Martha, on a job well done!
Place the Hope Campaign
The Children’s Place International team kicked off its annual Place the Hope campaign this month with a partner-led panel focusing on our newest collaborative Child Thrive project providing life-saving treatment for children living with sickle cell disease in Kenya and Tanzania, where the under 5 mortality rate is 50 – 80%.
The Place the Hope campaign raises critical funds to support kids with life-threatening conditions to regain their health and receive an education, providing a pathway out of poverty. It is the single most important source of funding for children and youth in our overseas programs. It is not an exaggeration to say that thousands of kids, many of them very fragile, are counting on us!
The campaign will go on until the end of the year and conclude with an in-person celebratory event in December.
Here are three ways you can help support our Place the Hope campaign:
Spread the Word about Place the Hope:
Share the Place the Hope campaign with your family, friends, and colleagues! Make introductions for us or invite us to host an informal informational session for your network. We’d love to connect with more likeminded people and raise awareness for the families we support!
Help Us Raise Needed Support Online:
Create your own mini digital fundraiser on Classy or Facebook. It only takes a few minutes to set up, and you can invite your colleagues, friends, and family to join you in supporting a great cause! Click the links to get started or reach out to one of our staff.
Make a Personal and/or Company Gift:
Consider making a donation to directly support the children and their families. It is tax-deductible, and 100% of your gift will go to those we serve. Many companies will also match employee gifts and/or provide sponsorships. Any level of support has far-reaching impact!
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, Abbott, Anonymous Foundation, The Clarius Group LLC
Major Individual Supporters
Alexandra A. Brzezinski, Viviana Grasso, Katherine Hapeman, Howard Jacob, Craig Johnson, Binita Kwankin & Joe Hmieleski, Leslie A. McLeod, Nancy Meyer, Richard Moser, Steven Pesce, Matthew Roma, Karen Zylberman
Grants
An $8,000 renewal grant from the Bright Promises Foundation has been awarded to support our ELC Class Training Consultant!
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!
Here are some of the opportunities we are looking for:
Full Time:
- Administrative Assistant
- Family Case Manager
- Foster Care Case Aide
- Health & Mental Health Coordinator
(Home-Based) - Health & Nutrition Aide
- Inclusion Aide
- Licensing & Recruitment Coordinator
Full Time
- Medical Case Manager
- Mental Health & Disabilities Coordinator
- Supportive Housing Program Supervisor
- Teacher Aide, Early Head Start
- Teacher Assistant, Early Head Start
- Teacher Assistant, Head Start
Part Time:
- Youth Coordinator
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.
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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