Children's Home & Aid Blog & News
Program Changes in the Central Region
Children’s Home & Aid works every day to help children and families to thrive. Our deep commitment to their success is fueled by an equally strong commitment to delivering services in a sustainable way. We tackle challenges and do our…
Thriving Families Podcast – Episode 1 – Power of Fathers
Children’s Home & Aid communication specialist Isabella Rodriguez sits down with Power of Fathers director Ed Davies and public policy intern Haley Aubrey to discuss how the program successfully supports and engages fathers and what plans they have for the…
How our Graze & Raise Event Benefits the Rice Child & Family Center
As February nears an end, our Graze & Raise event is right around the corner. We are thrilled to be part of such a unique event, featuring celebrity chef Gale Gand. However, there is something even more important and special…
You Made the Holiday Season Brighter – Thank You!
During the holidays our passionate supporters stepped up to make the season brighter for kids and families across Illinois. In addition to thousands of donors who put us over our fundraising goal, several statewide events helped make holiday wishes come…
John Gruber, Youth Policy Advocate, named New Leaders Council Fellow
We’re excited to announce the 2019 Chicago fellows for New Leaders Council includes Children’s Home & Aid Youth Policy Advocate John Gruber. The NLC is a national training organization for young progressive professionals.
John became interested in NLC because of their…
2018 Holiday Gift Drive Made Thousands of Wishes Come True
Each winter, Children’s Home & Aid fulfills the holiday wishes of the children and families we serve. This year alone, with help from our generous corporate partners, Children’s Home & Aid brought holiday cheer to over 4,000 boys, girls and…
Snug Hugs for Kids an Overwhelming Success!
Thanks to our loyal partner, Merlin 200,000 Mile Shops, the holidays are brighter and warmer for the children and families we serve at the Mitzi Freidheim Child & Family Center in Chicago’s Englewood community. Throughout the fall and winter, our…
Keeping Kids Warm This Winter
22nd Annual Crochet & Knit-A-Thon for Snug Hugs for Kids a Rousing Success
On December 1st in Aurora, Illinois, 90 men and women gathered at Resurrection Lutheran Church for a fun-filled day of crocheting and knitting to support Snug Hugs for…
Get to Know Jan Stepto-Millett, Interim Chief Operating Officer
We’re excited to introduce Jan Stepto-Millett as our Interim Chief Operating Officer. Jan joined Children’s Home & Aid in 2011 as Vice President of Early Childhood Services. In September 2018, she was appointed Interim COO following the retirement of outgoing…
Get to Know Lori Poppen, Northern Region Site Director
We’re excited to introduce Lori Poppen as the new Regional Site Director in our Northern Region. Lori takes over for Lisa Pieper, who recently retired as the Regional Vice President of the Northern Region.
A native of Arthur, Illinois, Lori, obtained a…
Reflections on Veterans Day
When I was growing up in the 1950’s, I sort of knew my Dad had been in World War II and my Dad’s dad in World War I. Every now and then it would come up in a conversation, but…
Get to Know John Springer, Chief Financial Officer
We’re excited to welcome John Springer to Children’s Home & Aid as our new Chief Financial Officer. John joins us following the recent retirement of our past CFO Frank Poremski. We sat down with John to learn about his diverse…
Get to Know Mendy Smith, Central Regional Site Director
We’re excited to introduce Mendy Smith as the new Regional Site Director in our Central Region. She takes over for Lisa Pieper, who retired as the Regional Vice President of the Central Region in August 2018. First hired in 1998 as a…
Familiar face, new role: Get to Know Dawnielle Jeffrey, Vice President of Early Childhood Services
We’re excited to introduce Dawnielle Jeffrey as our new Vice President of Early Childhood Services. She takes over for Jan Stepto-Millett, who stepped up as Interim Chief Operating Officer in September 2018. Dawnielle is a familiar face at Children’s Home & Aid—she…
Bright Promises Foundation Honors Nancy Ronquillo with Lifetime Achievement Award
Congratulations to our President & CEO Nancy Ronquillo, who was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bright Promises Foundation at the University Club of Chicago on September 25. Each year the Bright Promises Foundation recognizes Chicago leaders who have…
Children’s Home & Aid Raises $9,600 at Chicago AIDS Foundation Run & Walk
In Illinois, an estimated 45,000 people live with HIV or AIDS, and in Chicago, approximately 28,000 people live with the disease. On Sunday, September 23, staff and supporters of Children’s Home & Aid joined more than a thousand other Chicago…
A letter from Sarah, a former Rice Child & Family Center client, to Rice staff
Today is Child Welfare Worker Recognition Day! We’re celebrating by sharing the stories of our staff who are the link to building brighter futures for children, youth and families. A couple of years ago, we received a letter from Sarah, a former…
Child Welfare Worker Recognition Day – September 20th
We live in the age of Superheroes (and Sheroes!). Seems every week there’s a new blockbuster film filled with buff and creatively costumed beings in a desperate attempt to save the world from complete destruction. These films make billions of dollars and…
Hoffmann Center Parent Shares Her Inspiring Story
Judith Balleno, a parent from the Jerri Hoffmann Child & Family Center, recently spoke at our 98th annual Woman’s Board September Gala. Here’s the story she shared about how the Hoffmann Center has helped her and her three little boys…
Elizabeth Connelly Honored with Pauline K. Palmer Award at Woman’s Board September Gala
During the 98th annual September Gala held Friday, September 7, the Woman’s Board honored Elizabeth H. Connelly, life trustee and JPMorgan Chase’s head of Healthcare, Higher Education and Not-for-Profit Banking, with the 2018 Pauline K. Palmer Award for her dedication over…