FY24 Annual Report
JULY 1, 2023 – JUNE 30, 2024
Dear Friends,
The dictionary defines a champion as 1) a person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals AND 2) a person who fights for a cause on behalf of someone else. This year, we embraced what it means to walk upright in our champion status and, in doing so, rejoiced with the families and communities that were strengthened by our efforts and your support.
I think most of us enter a new year with musings on what the year will bring, what we can accomplish, who we will be able to help, and who we will become in the process. For the Children’s Place Association, 2024 was that and more. In these 12 months, we closed out our expiring strategic plan and witnessed the continued dynamic growth of the Child Thrive Initiative. A significant component of the expiring plan, the Child Thrive Initiative continued its dynamic growth trajectory despite losing its preeminent supporter due to a shift in the funder’s priorities. What began as the profound desire to address the growing need for youth and adolescent supportive services in the Humboldt Park community is now the U.S/domestic partner in the International Child Thrive Coalition – a collective of community-focused, equity-minded leaders and organizations centered on the shared goal to combat preventable childhood deaths.
This year marked the 25ᵗʰ birthday of the Arthur Jones Early Learning Center and the loss of the Center’s namesake with the passing of Arthur Jones. In the coming year, we will embark on a mini-campaign to honor his legacy and his life’s commitment to early learning. And to call attention to the need to continue adequately investing in early education for under-resourced families and communities. The research teaches us that doing so builds not only the necessary educational preparedness for young minds but the social and adaptation skills that children need to navigate the world around them.
The Child & Family Support Services team is preparing to expand its reach as it builds the infrastructure to become a Medicaid biller. This move achieves immediate scale as the team will then be able to provide care and case management to any Medicaid enrollee, even those who are not housed with us. This allows us to more comprehensively serve the longitudinal needs of our families by creating continuity of service. For example, young adults aging out of foster care will be able to be transitioned to the CFSS team and continue to receive necessary care as they grow into adulthood. Moreover, it allows us to add a dimension of care to all families across our program spectrum.
This past year, we were confronted with the grim reality that children with medical complexities sometimes succumb to those challenges. With the loss of two of our foster care youth, the team was tasked with assisting the families with arrangements for memorials, partnering with DCFS to provide emergency counseling assistance to families, and navigating their grief at the loss of precious lives. Yet, they continue to move young people through a complex system, marching them toward secure families and finalized adoptions.
Over these 12 months, we took some hits, were knocked a few times, and perhaps suffered some bruises—but we were never deterred. Besides, how do you become a champion without being battle-tested?
Thank you for joining us in the fight to empower families across Chicagoland.
Your Fellow Champion,
Cinaiya Stubbs
President & CEO, Children’s Place Association
FY23 Highlights
The year marked a transformative period for Children’s Place as the world transitioned from the pandemic. Systemic challenges and staff shortages persisted. A harsh Chicago winter posed an additional hurdle, with frozen pipes flooding our suite, rendering our main space uninhabitable for several months.
Resilience Amidst Setbacks: Undeterred by setbacks, our dedicated team persevered in providing essential services to our families, demonstrating their incredible resilience and commitment to our mission.
Addressing Mental Health Challenges: Responding to the rising prevalence of mental health issues, we proactively welcomed a clinical psychologist to our team, enhancing our ability to better assist our families in navigating their myriad challenges.
Milestones and Collaborations: The year saw the first live adoption event since 2019 and establishing a new partnership with KIPP and Child Thrive. Key leadership changes and new hires further strengthened our team.
Celebrating Support and Achievements: Acknowledging long-term supporters and receiving awards for staff and leadership, the year was characterized by growth, change, and a renewed focus on spreading awareness of compassion and a shared sense of connection within our community.
We thank our dedicated volunteers, generous donors, committed staff, and visionary leaders for standing by our side and sharing in our successes. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in our achievements this year.
Looking Ahead: As we reflect on the year, we contemplate what it means to show up and contribute meaningfully, creating sustainable pathways for those in need. The journey continues, guided by a shared commitment to positively impact the lives of the vulnerable children and families we serve.
