If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together. – African Proverb

We at Children’s Place Association are fast at work in building our Child Thrive program, and we wanted to bring you along on our journey. Check out our new logo above! Just like the African Proverb says, we want to go far, and we want to go together as a community.

“Child Thrive is a transformational extension of the Children’s Place Association mission.
Community stakeholders and service partners coming together to serve our greatest asset, our children.”
– Maurice Fears, Sr., Chief Initiatives Officer.

SUMMER PLANS
We are so excited about all the wonderful initiatives starting this summer!

Mentoring – Our youth mentoring program is underway with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we are fast at work on starting summer programs for West Humboldt Park youth.

Health/Wellness – Dr. Margaret Scotellaro from Rush University Medical Center will begin offering weekly health/wellness services to local youth and families.

WeROCK Program – Led by our partner, JPA (Juvenile Protective Association), the WeROCK program offers creative and educational projects for 3rd & 4th graders that spark children’s imagination and desire to learn. JPA’s mission is to improve the social and emotional well-being and functioning of vulnerable children so they can reach their highest potential at home, in school, and in the community.  Later this fall, JPA will also be offering trauma-informed mental health services to West Humboldt youth.

Thrive Mini-Day Camps – Children’s Place will be launching a series of mini-day camps beginning in July. All camps will run at the same time. On Wednesdays, we will serve lunch at 12:30 pm and encourage participants to attend JPA’s WeROCK summer projects from 1-2:30 pm.

Upcoming Mini-Camps:

  • Hot Sauce Handles: Basketball Ball Handling/Dribbling Camp
  • Creation Station Part I: Woodworking Camp
  • Creation Station Part II: Arts & Crafts
  • Double Dutch Camp

More camps to come in August!

Stay tuned as we continue to share this journey with you and invite you to join us as we build pathways forward to a thriving West Humboldt Park neighborhood.

Want to get involved or help support Child Thrive? Contact Kelsey Kruel at kkruel@childrens-place.org.

About Child Thrive:
Child Thrive is serving the West Humboldt Park community – a high-need area on Chicago’s westside challenged with gun violence and the impact of structural racism. Our community partnerships include Big Brothers Big Sisters, JPA (Juvenile Protective Association), Rush University Medical Center, and West Humboldt Park Development Council who will offer youth mentoring, trauma-informed mental health services, access to primary care and economic development.