CH&A Blog and News
Driving to Independence: January is Teen Driving Awareness Month
Many of us vividly remember going to the DMV to get our driver’s license on our 16th birthday. The thrill of driving, and the independence brought with it, is something many can look back on as a moment of liberation and excitement. What we might not have realized at the time is the statistical significance […]
Children’s Home and Aid Celebrates National Mentoring Month
Can you remember a time when someone encouraged you to keep pushing on during challenging times or inspired you with their knowledge and life experiences? Has anyone ever given you personal or professional development tips or helped you set goals for yourself? If you answered “yes” to any of these, then you should take the […]
Celebrating the legacy of Barb Buckavekas
Today marks a significant milestone for one of our fellow teammates. Barb Buckavekas, a secretary who supports our agency’s foster care team in the northern region, is retiring after serving 35.5 years at Children’s Home & Aid. Barb’s passion for the agency’s mission and longstanding commitment to our families, staff, and partners through her work deserves the highest recognition. She […]
Holiday Cheer for the End of the Year
The Holiday Campaign has come to an end – we are extremely grateful to our supporters for providing assistance to nearly 2,000 children, youth and caregivers this winter! In the Chicagoland area, more than 12 local partners and 240 individuals donated to support kids and families in our programs. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the […]
Shining a Light on National Adoption Month
Did you know there are nearly half a million children in the US foster care system? Each year, just 150,000 children are adopted, with only one-third coming from foster care. The majority of these young people spend months –– even years––waiting for a home to call their own. Here at Children’s Home & Aid, we know that the waiting, the doubt and the trauma of a young person caught […]
Children’s Home & Aid Recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month
As we close the month of October, we want to recognize the survivors and the countless others affected by domestic violence. At Children’s Home & Aid, we work with families every day who are looking for a path up and out of these situations that, unfortunately, are all too common for families from every walk of life. You may not even realize […]
Realizing the Power of Fathers
Our most recent result of the quarter showcases the success of our Power of Fathers program. Fathers participating in Power of Fathers were found to spend more time with their children, improve their parenting and co-parenting skills and their overall relationships with their children and co-parents. The impact of being a present parent has benefits […]
CPS to Expand Program that Provides High-Risk Students with Mentoring, Counseling
In the News The Chicago Sun-Times‘ very own Laura Washington has written an insightful article about the efforts Children’s Home and Aid and Youth Advocate Programs Inc., have made in providing high-risk students with the tools they need to thrive post-pandemic by collaborating with Chicago Public Schools. Read the full article here
Learning to Solve Problems Together
“Kids arrive scared and angry. They’ve been through a lot. We listen without judgment to understand their perspective. When kids start feeling safe to come and talk to us about what they are experiencing, you see progress.” ~ Melvyn Tate, Coordinator, Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Child & Family Center A safe space to […]
Service. Compassion. Fun. Doulas Strengthen Families from the Start!
“It’s about investing in our families and having that heart connection. We want our families to feel how much we enjoy what we do, and that we’re here with them from the start.” ~ Jasmine Martin, Doula Program Supervisor Jasmine Martin has been a doula at Children’s Home & Aid for six years, walking hand in hand with […]
Blueprint for Impact: Our vision for the future.
“I’ve seen momentous change because of this program. Because of my brothers. They sit and they talk to me. They don’t talk at me. Nobody in here puts anybody down. And this is one of the greatest things that a father needs.” ~ Fatherhood program participant Rising to the challenge The pandemic exacerbated hardships that […]
Illinois Kids Ready for a Return to Learning
“Our block party in Englewood started off as a small, unorganized idea three summers ago and now it has become an annual neighborhood tradition. It’s such a good feeling to be able to not only support the children we serve, but also the community we’re rooted in.” ~ Michel Quezada, Manager of Family & Community Engagement Chicago […]
Community Collaboration Empowers Chicago Youth
“It’s incredibly powerful to watch kids in our programs as they discover they have it within themselves to shape their own lives and make a difference in their own communities. This isn’t a job. This is my life mission.” ~ Michel Quezada, Manager of Family & Community Engagement, Children’s Home & Aid Michel Quezada is […]
Children’s Home & Aid Centers Receive Book Donations in Celebration of Life for North Shore Librarian
J.T. Morand was looking for a special way to honor his mother, Betty. She passed away almost a year ago, but due to the pandemic, a memorial couldn’t happen until this summer. According to J.T., Betty knew the value of a book in a child’s life, so it made sense to collect books at her Celebration […]
Children’s Home & Aid’s 2021 Pauline K. Palmer Award – ITW
It is our pleasure and honor to announce ITW as the recipient of Children’s Home & Aid’s 2021 Pauline K. Palmer Award. Each year, the Woman’s Board of Children’s Home & Aid presents the Pauline K. Palmer Award to recipients who exhibit outstanding dedication and service to children and families. The award is named in […]
Dbldaddy: A Grandfather’s Love
Kevin, a grandfather in central Illinois, has become a dad again. After recently losing his own daughter to illness, Kevin knew what he needed to do to keep his family together. Not only did he officially adopt two of his grandchildren, ages 13 and 8, he became highly active in Parents Care & Share – […]
Breaking Barriers. Centering Families. Transforming Systems.
On June 8th Children’s Home & Aid and our Ahlquist Center for Policy, Practice & Innovation will host Breaking Barriers. Centering Families. Transforming Systems., a virtual event that will explore what it will take to create a more equitable future for children and families, free from the barriers created by racism, poverty, and trauma. How […]
Remembering Megan Berger-Trilk
Children’s Home & Aid lost an extremely valuable member of our team on Sunday, May 30, Megan Berger-Trilk. Megan passed away surrounded by family. She has been an essential member of the Children’s Home & Aid family for the last two years. Megan was dedicated and passionate about her work in the licensing department in the Northern region and […]
