Children's Home & Aid Blog & News
Introducing the 2021 Ahlquist Center Policy Agenda
Since our founding 138 years ago, Children’s Home & Aid has been a strong advocate for children and their families. Our 2021 policy agenda, released today, continues that commitment. If we have learned anything from the events of the past year, it is the direct threat poverty and scarce resources are to child and family […]
Looking back at the 2020 Holiday Season
It was a holiday circle of love! Hundreds of generous Children’s Home & Aid donors from across the state came together, despite COVID and the economic challenges, to make the holidays brighter for thousands of Illinois children and families. In the Chicago area, companies and individuals that normally provide gifts for more than 3,000 children […]
Fathers are Essential to Children’s Well-Being: Working Together to Disrupt Inequality
Research shows that non-residential fathers can play a role in ameliorating the circumstances that lead to child neglect and abuse. Their involvement in their children’s lives is associated with positive outcomes such as children leaving foster care sooner, and children being significantly less likely to re-enter foster care compared to children whose fathers are not […]
Creating a Safe Space for Children
Going to a court hearing is stressful for anyone. Whether it’s for an unpaid speeding ticket or sitting on a jury, entering the immense authority of the building can be nerve wracking. The experience for children can be even more challenging. Thanks to generous Children’s Home & Aid donors and partners, families who must bring […]
Ready to Serve
For months now, we have witnessed moments that will be forever etched into our collective consciousness and history. Even more recently, we saw an assault on the very heart of our democracy, followed by a strikingly resilient Congress committed to resume their Constitutional duties before the day had even ended, laboring well into the wee […]
A Message from Children’s Home & Aid President and CEO Mike Shaver
It’s a new year, but this is not the “Happy New Year” message I had planned. Last week, a violent mob laid bare for the entire world the divided and fragile state of our democracy by attempting to halt the faithful execution of the Constitution. As if this wasn’t enough reason to be alarmed, the […]
Making Holidays Brighter in Chicago
This holiday season has been undoubtedly difficult for many families across Illinois. With COVID-19 continuing to spread, hardships have continued to increase, especially for families who were already experiencing crisis. At Children’s Home & Aid, we are grateful for the opportunity to alleviate some of the stress families and children face during the pandemic. Thanks […]
MotherHouse Crisis Nursery Provides Support in Tough Times
“Sometimes without MotherHouse Crisis Nursery I think I would be lost.” Charanda is a mother who uses MotherHouse Crisis Nursery while she gets treatment for polymyositis, a disease that causes painful muscle inflammation, severely restricting her ability bend over, rise from a seated position, and even walk. Her treatment occurs every two weeks and she […]
Helping Families from the Start: Children’s Home & Aid Doula Program
After escaping a violent relationship in a neighboring community, Noelle (who was five months pregnant) and her children arrived in Rockford in the middle of a cold December night. With no family or friends to turn to, Noelle contacted Children’s Home & Aid for help, as the local shelter didn’t have room for all of […]
How are the Children at the Rice Center? An update:
It was a perfect fall Halloween afternoon when the staff at the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Child & Family Center hosted a “Trunk or Treat” event for the children. “It’s been a hard few months for the children living at the Rice Center, and we wanted do something fun to celebrate Halloween, since […]
Family Visitation Center Provides Peace and Safety
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and Children’s Home & Aid is proud to provide programs that safeguard and protect families and children impacted by domestic violence. One of these programs is our Children’s Home & Aid Central Region Family Visitation Center (FVC). The Children’s Home & Aid FVC provides a safe, neutral environment for […]
Needs Among Us
Pastor Rob Dyer and the members of First United Presbyterian Church of Belleville wanted a way to support families in their community who are going through a tough time. “We want to be part of the real transformation – not a temporary, quick fix,” says Pastor Rob Dyer, First Presbyterian’s senior pastor. The pastor and […]
The Power of Peers: Two Giving Circles Support Children’s Home & Aid Programs
Over the years, Marie Eledge and her friends wrote many checks to support each other’s businesses, including Pampered Chef, Stella Dot and Cabi home parties. Her husband joked, “Why don’t you women just exchange blank checks?” That was just the nudge Eledge needed to begin forming 100 Women for Good: Bloomington Normal. Founded to make […]
Fiscal Scan of Illinois Public Investments
Last week, Children’s Home & Aid, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, released the third annual Fiscal Scan. Enshrined into law by Public Act 100-0818, The Fiscal Scan of Illinois Public Investments, Ages 8-25, is an analysis of public investments that directly impact youth. Rather than organizing the analysis by agency […]
Illinois State Board of Education
At Children’s Home & Aid, we offer the full breadth of high-quality state- and federally-funded early childhood programs – from home visiting, Early Head Start, and the Prevention Initiative program to the Child Care Assistance Program, Head Start, and Preschool for All. That’s why we were grateful for the opportunity to appear before the Illinois […]
This Year, Turn Your Tax Savings into a Brighter Future for Every Child!
Did you know that a recently passed legislation offers you a way to support charities you care about, like Children’s Home & Aid, while receiving potential tax savings? The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, (CARES Act) was signed into law in late March 2020 to provide relief from the economic hardship of the […]
The 2020 Election
Election Day is November 3, 2020. Voting is an important form of advocacy, now more than ever. By voting, you choose our leaders. Your voice helps the government shape its priorities – Not just for the candidate who will lead our country for the next four years, but for every local and state official on […]
Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15th through October 15th our country celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month The EDI Committee wants to recognize and honor all our Latinx and Hispanic staff – from our classroom teachers, to case workers, clinical therapists, doulas, HR and development, and all of those across the agency! THANK YOU for everything you do for […]
From Client to Colleague: Tia’s story
Do you remember your first job? For most, it was at a retail store or in a restaurant chain cleaning dishes. Many people’s first job experiences are a blur. But for some, first jobs become a lasting memory. Tia is a Children’s Home and Aid employee who works as an administrative assistant in our Englewood […]
Closed Family Court Means Kids Are in Care Longer
How has the COVID-19 epidemic impacted children in foster care? In March when the state of Illinois shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, family courts that oversee child welfare cases were closed for three months and all in-person visits for children in foster care were prohibited by DCFS. Visits resumed in the summer, […]