While the month of May had a lot to celebrate, there were also moments of great sorrow brought about by the recent mass shootings, which brought to light the devastating impacts of gun violence regularly experienced by the kids and families we serve. Read on to learn what we’ve been up to, what’s ahead, and how we’re striving to create a brighter and safer tomorrow for our kids.
Facing Tragedy
In light of yet another mass shooting last week, Cinaiya shared her thoughts as a parent and the President & CEO of Children’s Place Association.
ELC Education Supervisor, Monica Diaz, also created a resource list to support our parents and children as they navigate their emotions around this tragedy.
Mark Your Calendar
Check out these fun events we have coming up and join us!
Saturday, June 11th – Strides for Peace Race Against Violence
Wednesday, June 15th – Foster Care Orientation
Sunday, August 28th – Pickleball Tournament (details coming soon)
Around the World
Junior Board Gala
We had a great time at the Around the World Gala with the Junior Board last month. We were able to showcase some of the CPA kids drawing of where they would want to travel in the world. CLICK HERE to read more about the event and see pictures.
Child Thrive
Mission in Action Program
Our newest Child Thrive program, Mission In Action (M.I.A.) already has six local teens registered. M.I.A. is a program for West Humboldt Park youth, grades 9 through 12. The program engages teens in leadership opportunities to gain practical and social skills that will introduce them to diverse pathways to success. To get involved, email thrive@childrens-place.org.
International
Dominican Republic Visit
Our Children’s Place International team recently visited the Dominican Republic.
After two years of virtual collaboration, the Children’s Place International team finally had the opportunity to visit its newest frontline partner – Clínica de Familia La Romana in the Dominican Republic.
The team and a few supporters of the work had the opportunity to meet with clinic staff, tour the facilities, and visit teen patients living with HIV.
“We walked away from the experience deeply moved by the courage, strength, and resilience of the teens and their families, as well as the incredible clinic staff. Those living with HIV in the Dominican Republic face extreme stigma that often leads to depression, ostracization, denial of employment, and economic hardships,” shared John Sweeney, Executive Director of Children’s Place International.
Children’s Place International is currently supporting 600 medically fragile children and youth at the clinic with access to healthcare, nutrition, and other basic needs. But the clinic, which serves the second largest population of those living with HIV in the country and supports families from neighboring Haiti who work under abysmal conditions in the sugar cane fields, needs additional support to help its young patients regain their health and escape poverty.
The Children’s Place International team will undertake a new project with the clinic focused on teens living with HIV and other medical challenges. The project will provide increased mental health support and scholarships to attend university or technical school. These areas were surfaced by the clinic and families as urgent needs and will provide long-lasting impact.
Children’s Place is very fortunate to be able to support some of the most vulnerable members of our global community. The work taking place in Chicago and around the world is vital to ensuring that children can thrive wherever they live!
Child Thrive
Thrive Afterschool
Child Thrive had a successful first year of afterschool programming with 10 kids registered. The Thrive team is now gearing up for the 2022-2023 Thrive Afterschool drop-off program and is taking registrations. If you know any parents/families that would like more information, please have them reach out to us at thrive@childrens-place.org.
Foster Care and Adoption
A Successful Adoption
Our foster care & adoption team has been one of our busiest programs, and we had another successful adoption. A two-year-old girl, placed in a non-relative foster family shortly after birth, has been adopted by the family. Despite her special medical needs, she has thrived in their care and has developed a strong bond. Congrats to all involved!
Child Thrive
Summer Camps
Summer mini-camps start June 27th and run for 5 weeks, Monday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM. The min-camps will include basketball, swim lessons, art, and much more!
Lucy R. Sprague Summer Day Camp
Following the mini-camps is two weeks of all-day camp. Campers will experience arts & crafts, trauma-informed care enrichment programs (provided by our partner JPA), city-wide and regional field trips, and swim lessons provided by our partners McCormick YMCA in Humbodlt Park.
Early Learning
It’s Graduation Time!
On August 13, we will be having our KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION CEREMONY. The students, families, and teachers have all worked so hard and deserve this day of celebration!
CPA Supporters
We are grateful to all our supporters who allow us to continue to do the work we are so passionate about.
Major Company & Foundation Supporters
Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., Mesirow, Monticello Associates, Inc., Michalik Funeral Home, Benjamin J. Rosenthal Foundation, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Valmark Securities Global Gift Fund Committee
Major Individual Supporters
Ivan Adames, Shantal Alonso, George Andrianakos, William Baron, Morgan Beagle, Karen Bennett, Derek Breese, Marisa Breese, Martin Breese, Michaela Breit, Edward Brennan, Theodore Cappas, James Collier, David Cummings, William Dimas, Shane Donahue, Don Gardiner, Stephen Gongola, Jessica Gregory, Alexandra Harrington, Deepika Hebbalalu, Dan Hillegass, Howard Jacob, Grace Kelley, Nina Kelly, Harold Kessler, Andrew Kindelin, Binita Kwankin, Patrick Lustig, Maureen McCluskey, Kevin McNally, Arthur Minetz, Janet Myers, Brandon Nolde, Kyle Pass, Ana