Summer has been full of energy, connections, and momentum, and your support has been a meaningful part of it. From a thoughtful lunch and learn with our partners at Publicis Sapient to a creative afternoon of origami led by staff from Vitality Group to the fun and learning happening each week at Thrive Summer Camp, you’re helping fuel experiences that make a difference for children and families.
At the Early Learning Center, we’re wrapping up the current program year and getting ready to welcome a new group of eager learners. With your involvement and the strength of our broader community, we’re also growing in leadership and vision. Our Junior Board is officially up and running, and our International Board just welcomed a new member who brings deep expertise and a strong commitment to our mission.
Read on to see what you’re making possible and how you can stay connected.
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Thursday, July 31: Early Learning End of Year Celebration
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Sunday, August 3: 5th Annual Pickleball Fundraiser
Pickleball Anyone?
Join the Joie & Wendi Group from @properties Christie’s International Real Estate for the 5th Annual Pickleball Fundraiser on Sunday, August 3rd. The fun starts at 10 AM in Highland Park. We can’t wait to see you there. [Click here] for details.
Partnering with Purpose
Thank you to our incredible partners at Publicis Sapient for inviting us into their vibrant office. The Lunch and Learn session provided us with an opportunity to share our mission and connect with their team in a meaningful way. Just days later, they hosted their first-ever ping pong tournament benefiting CPA. We’re so grateful for partners who lead with heart, bring their teams together, and have fun while giving back.
If your organization would like to connect with CPA, we’d love to hear from you.
And another reason to love Publicis Sapient is their continued support of our programs, which makes a real impact. Their recent gift of a stroller from Gaggle Stroller is already helping our educators safely and easily bring large groups to the park with comfort and sun protection. We’re so grateful for this partnership.
What a fun afternoon at Child Thrive’s summer camp! Huge thanks to the fantastic team from Vitality Group for spending time with our students and teaching them the art of origami. Their creativity and kindness made the day extra special!
Check out what our behind-the-scenes teams have been up to lately!
Join Our Team
Make a real impact in the lives of children and families.
We build brighter futures one child and one family at a time.
If you want your work to matter, this is the moment.
Explore open roles and see how you can join our team.
Meet the movers behind the mission
We are proud to introduce our Junior Board. This dedicated group of young professionals raises awareness, secures funding, and provides volunteer support to help children and families thrive.
They are not only imagining a better world. They are helping create it.
Leading the board are co-presidents Derek Breese (CIBC) and Hannah Song (Promus Equity Partners).
The door is always open. We welcome new members ready to make a difference throughout the year.
[Click here to meet the full Junior Board and learn more.]
Check out what our teams have been up to lately!
Child Thrive summer camp is in full swing, and our Thrivers are having a blast. From weekly swim sessions at Goldfish Swim School – Wicker Park to hands-on cooking classes led by friends from Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, every week brings something new. Campers are also exploring Chicago through exciting field trips and enjoying a wide variety of on-site activities, including art, music, STEM, and recreation. It’s been a joyful and enriching summer so far, and we can’t wait to see what the second half brings.
CPA shoutout goes to:
- Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine for visiting our summer camp and leading a fun and interactive four-week cooking class. Our Thrivers loved making (and tasting!) pizza, parfaits, mini pies, and cupcakes.
Month in Review
This month marks the close of the 2024-2025 program year as we prepare to welcome the 2025-2026 school year. We are excited to celebrate our students at the upcoming end-of-year celebration and graduation ceremony. Congratulations to all our 2025 graduates and those moving up! We are proud of your outstanding achievements in preschool and kindergarten. You will be greatly missed at the Early Learning Center, and we look forward to hearing about all the fantastic things you will do next.
Month in Review
As part of their transition to center-based care, our Home-Based kids and families visited the Early Learning Center to experience what school life will be like. These visits help children become familiar with the space, meet new friends and staff, and feel more confident about the upcoming exciting change.
Early education is a powerful foundation. Supporting a smooth transition from one stage of development to the next helps ensure children feel secure, connected, and ready to thrive in a new learning environment.
Month in Review
Our Foster Care team continues to provide steady support to children and families, including engaging activities that help them feel connected and cared for. Behind the scenes, we’re actively working to expand our team and recently completed interviews for a new Case Manager role to help meet the growing needs of our families.
We’re also excited to welcome Linda O’Daniel as our new Licensing and Recruitment Coordinator. Her work will be key to building strong foster family partnerships that help children thrive.
CPA shoutout goes to:
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Christina Gould, our dedicated Foster Care Nurse, for going above and beyond to support both our case management team and a foster family navigating a difficult period marked by multiple psychiatric hospitalizations.
Children’s Place International is thrilled to welcome Dr. Nancy Siepman to our Board of Directors.
A global leader in pharmaceutical development and ethics, Nancy brings decades of experience from her work at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where she delivered transformative treatments and championed health equity.
She holds a PhD in Statistics and has led diverse teams across the U.S., Asia, and Europe.
Nancy has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the lives of children and families worldwide. In addition to serving on our Child Thrive Steering Committee, she has traveled to project sites to share her time, expertise, and generosity in support of our mission.
THANK YOU, THIS MONTH’S SUPPORTERS
Major Company & Foundation Supporters
Anonymous foundation, Abbott, Rossman Family Foundation, St. John XXIII Parish
Major Individual Supporters
Ivan Adames, Richard Bae, Binita Kwankin & Joe Hmieleski, Leslie McLeod, Richard Moser, Ty Shockley
Grants
Broadway Cares/ Equity Fight AIDS
Donate | Volunteer | Join Our Team | Connect on Social
Give, serve, work, or share—every action helps kids and families thrive. Thank you for being part of the change!
