Get to Know Children’s Place Association
Welcome to exploring the vital work of Children’s Place Association! Dive into our mission of providing crucial support to children and families in need. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing illness and adversity.
Our Mission
Building a secure & hopeful today, so children facing health issues & poverty succeed tomorrow.
What We Stand For
At Children’s Place Association, we champion equity and access for every child and family, no matter their circumstances or where they call home.
Our Journey:
Backed by a passionate team, we’ve been making waves since 1991, addressing critical gaps in underserved communities facing extreme poverty, health challenges and violence. Here’s a glimpse of our what sets us apart:
- Diverse Leadership: Led by a black leadership team, with 83% of our staff representing people of color.
- Nourishing Futures: In 2023 alone, we served up 34,310 meals to our Early Learning Center kids, ensuring they start their day right.
- Prepared for Success: 100% of our preschoolers are kindergarten-ready, setting them on a path for academic triumph.
- Medical Support: With medically complex cases in mind, our two full-time nurses provide unwavering care to our children.
- Housing Stability: Every family in our supportive housing program facing chronic medical challenges receives more than just shelter; they also receive nursing and mental health services and resources to help them become financially stable and ready to work.
Our Four Pillars
Since 1991, we have helped Chicago-area children and parents break the cycle of adversity in four key areas of impact:
Health
Education
Family Support
Financial Stability
Meet the Ortiz Family
Meet the Ortiz family – a heartwarming tale of transformation. Over two years in our home-based program, we witnessed a significant journey. Initially focused on their daughter, Arcely, we soon understood the wider family needs. Arcely’s brother, dealing with bipolar disorder, required support beyond our usual scope.
That’s where our holistic approach stepped in. We linked the Ortiz family with a mental health consultant, leading to a specialized clinic referral for the son. Our team provided guidance, answered their questions, and ensured access to crucial mental health resources. Even as Arcely faced initial separation anxiety, our support and engaging activities helped her blossom in our nurturing program.
Now, this once-anxious 2-year-old radiates joy within our program, a testament to the positive impact of our holistic family support.
Our Services In Action
Children and Family Support Services:
- Through a comprehensive, strengths-based approach, we empower families, involving them directly in their personalized paths to financial success, family stability and wellness.
Child Thrive:
- Addressing holistic needs, we provide tailored, out-of-school programs for youth ages 6-18, fostering skills development.
- With a dedicated team reflecting our community, we collaborate with partners to enrich resources.
- From mental health services to youth mentoring, we revitalize our community through strategic alliances.
- Current community partnerships include: Big Brothers/Big Sisters, JPA (Juvenile Protective Association), Rush University Medical Center, West Humboldt Park.
Early Learning Center & Home Base Learning:
- From birth to 5 years old, we provide foundational education in a nurturing school environment.
- Our home-based program fosters parent-child relationships with research-based curriculum.
- Pregnant moms receive support, resources, and home visits, ensuring a healthy start for their little ones.
- Our on-site team, including nurses and mental health coordinators, ensures comprehensive care and support for children with special needs, disabilities and chronic health issues.
Foster Care and Adoption:
- Our seasoned case management team works collaboratively to provide top-tier care and specialized support for abused/neglected children and those with medical needs and their families.
- With a close-knit team, personalized attention is our promise, ensuring no one feels alone in their journey to finding their forever home.