• Signup for Email
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Leadership
      • Mike Shaver
      • Jan Stepto-Millett
      • Angelica Stapert
      • Paula Corrigan-Halpern
      • Hilary Freeman
      • Sara Irmen
      • Dawnielle Jeffrey
      • Keith Polan
      • Lynsey Sloan
      • Mendy Smith
      • Renae Storey
      • Amanda Whitlock
    • Board of Trustees
    • License & Accreditation
    • Mission & Vision
    • Financial Information
    • Client Policy and Rights
  • Get Involved
    • Join an Auxiliary Board
      • Associate Board
        • Associate Board Membership Request Form
      • Hinsdale Auxiliary
      • Lost Dunes Golf Committee
      • Rice Leadership Committee
      • The Woman’s Board
      • Central Regional Advisory Board
      • Northern Regional Advisory Board
      • Southern Regional Advisory Board
    • Attend or Sponsor an Event
    • Get Your Company Involved
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Metro
      • Volunteer Central
      • Volunteer Northern
      • Volunteer Southern
  • Ways to Give
    • Make a Donation
    • Become a Monthly Donor
    • Shop Amazon Smile
    • Attend or Sponsor an Event
    • Get Your Company Involved
    • Remember Us in Your Will
    • Make a Gift of Stock
    • Give Through Your IRA
    • Create Your Own Fundraising Event or Campaign
    • See Your Impact
    • Double Your Impact – Matching Gifts
  • Policy Center
    • Advocacy
    • Start to Finish Coalition
    • Youth Budget Commission
    • Our Projects
    • Result of the Quarter
    • Get our Newsletter!
  • Events
  • Blog & News
  • Locations
  • Careers
    • Intern
  • COVID-19
    • How You Can Help
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • COVID-19 Client and Parent Resources
    • COVID-19 Staff Resources
    • Agency Site and Program Closures
    • Stay at Home Executive Order Frequently Asked Questions
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
    • Equity, Diversion and Inclusion Resources
    • Black History Month
    • Self-care after the election
    • Hispanic Heritage Month
    • Native American Heritage Month
Children's Home + Aid
Donate
  •  Adoption
    Services
    • Become an Adoptive Parent
    • Adoption & Guardianship Preservation
    • Adoption Information Request
    • Adoption Resources
    • Pregnancy, Early Parent, and Adoption Counseling
    • Post Adoption Services
  •  Foster Care
    Services
    • Become a Foster Parent
      • Learn More – Informational Meetings
    • Foster Parent Resources
      • Caregiver Support and Training 2021
      • 2021 Training Catalog
    • Adult Connections
    • Excellence Academy
    • Sibling Connections
    • Specialized Foster Care
  •  Counseling &
    Treatment Programs
    • Adoption Support & Preservation
    • Choose 2 Change
    • Community Based Behavioral Health
    • Early Prevention In The Community
    • Families And Children in Treatment
    • Family Centered Counseling Services
    • Family Solutions
    • Project Connect
    • Residential Services
      • Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Child & Family Center
    • The Butterfly Project
    • Family Counseling Services to Youth in Crisis
      • Redeploy
      • Youth Services
      • Host Home Placement
  • Parenting
    • The Butterfly Project
    • The Children’s Room
    • Crisis Nursery
      • Motherhouse Crisis Nursery
      • Crisis Nursery in Bloomington
    • Early Start
    • Family Visitation Center
    • Healthy Families Illinois
    • Doula
    • Kid’s Turn
    • Parents Care & Share
    • Power of Fathers
    • Pregnancy, Early Parent, and Adoption Counseling
    • Stronger Beginnings for Families
  •  Child Care
    & Education
    • Community Child Care Centers
      • Bloomington
      • Carpentersville
      • Englewood
      • Palatine
      • Schaumburg
      • Viva Chicago
    • Early Head Start
    • Head Start
    • Preschool For All
    • Child Care Assistance Program
    • Child Care Resource and Referral
      • Southern Region
        • Looking for Child Care
        • Parent Resources
        • Provider Services
        • Statistical Information
        • Training Opportunities
        • CCR&R Staff Directory
  • Signup for Email
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Leadership
      • Mike Shaver
      • Jan Stepto-Millett
      • Angelica Stapert
      • Paula Corrigan-Halpern
      • Hilary Freeman
      • Sara Irmen
      • Dawnielle Jeffrey
      • Keith Polan
      • Lynsey Sloan
      • Mendy Smith
      • Renae Storey
      • Amanda Whitlock
    • Board of Trustees
    • License & Accreditation
    • Mission & Vision
    • Financial Information
    • Client Policy and Rights
  • Get Involved
    • Join an Auxiliary Board
      • Associate Board
        • Associate Board Membership Request Form
      • Hinsdale Auxiliary
      • Lost Dunes Golf Committee
      • Rice Leadership Committee
      • The Woman’s Board
      • Central Regional Advisory Board
      • Northern Regional Advisory Board
      • Southern Regional Advisory Board
    • Attend or Sponsor an Event
    • Get Your Company Involved
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Metro
      • Volunteer Central
      • Volunteer Northern
      • Volunteer Southern
  • Ways to Give
    • Make a Donation
    • Become a Monthly Donor
    • Shop Amazon Smile
    • Attend or Sponsor an Event
    • Get Your Company Involved
    • Remember Us in Your Will
    • Make a Gift of Stock
    • Give Through Your IRA
    • Create Your Own Fundraising Event or Campaign
    • See Your Impact
    • Double Your Impact – Matching Gifts
  • Policy Center
    • Advocacy
    • Start to Finish Coalition
    • Youth Budget Commission
    • Our Projects
    • Result of the Quarter
    • Get our Newsletter!
  • Events
  • Blog & News
  • Locations
  • Careers
    • Intern
  • COVID-19
    • How You Can Help
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • COVID-19 Client and Parent Resources
    • COVID-19 Staff Resources
    • Agency Site and Program Closures
    • Stay at Home Executive Order Frequently Asked Questions
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
    • Equity, Diversion and Inclusion Resources
    • Black History Month
    • Self-care after the election
    • Hispanic Heritage Month
    • Native American Heritage Month

Children's Home & Aid Blog & News

Children's Home & Aid Blog & News

Introducing the 2021 Ahlquist Center Policy Agenda

By: Eric Mayo
2/25/2021  |  The Ahlquist Center

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

By: Maureen Kelly
2/16/2021  |  Holiday Time

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

By: Kiara Jackson
2/12/2021  |  Advocacy, Program Results

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

By: Austin Thomas
1/27/2021  |  Central Region

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

By: Mike Shaver
1/22/2021  |  EDI, In the News

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

By: Mike Shaver
1/15/2021  |  EDI, In the News

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

By: Austin Thomas
1/11/2021  |  Holiday Time

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

By: Austin Thomas
12/17/2020  |  Crisis Nursery, Northern Region

“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

By: Austin Thomas
11/11/2020  |  Doula, Northern Region

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:

By: Austin Thomas
11/10/2020  |  Rice Child + Family Center

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

By: Austin Thomas
10/28/2020  |  Central Region

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

By: Isabella Rodriguez
10/27/2020  |  Southern Region, Stronger Beginnings for Families

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

By: Maureen Kelly
10/26/2020  |  Central Region

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

By: Kiara Jackson
10/22/2020  |  Fiscal Scan

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

By: Eric Mayo
10/19/2020  |  Early Childhood Services, 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!

By: Mary Kozil
10/13/2020  |  Uncategorized

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

By: Isabella Rodriguez
10/12/2020  |  In the News

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

By: Tara Harper
10/06/2020  |  EDI, In the News

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

By: Austin Thomas
9/29/2020  |  City of Chicago, Program Results

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

By: Maureen Kelly
9/29/2020  |  Foster Care

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, […]

Older News

Search the Blog

Categories

  • 135th Anniversary (15)
    • Hope With Wings (1)
  • Adoption (13)
  • Associate Board (1)
  • Blue Bow Campaign (15)
  • Central Region (21)
  • Champions for Children (11)
  • Chicago Cubs (2)
  • Child Welfare (9)
  • City of Chicago (22)
    • One Summer Chicago (12)
      • Summer Intern Project (8)
  • Corporate Partner Spotlight (5)
  • Crisis Nursery (7)
  • Cultural Competence (2)
  • Donor Spotlight (2)
  • Early Childhood Services (12)
  • EDI (5)
  • Education (8)
    • Literacy (1)
  • Families Thriving Podcast (2)
  • Fiscal Scan (4)
  • Foster Parent Mentoring (5)
  • Fundraising (24)
    • Stuff the Bus (2)
  • Graze & Raise (1)
  • Healthy Families Home Visiting (2)
  • Holiday Time (17)
  • In the News (16)
  • Jerri Hoffmann Child & Family Center (1)
  • LGBTQ (1)
  • Memorial Day (1)
  • Mental Health (2)
  • Mission (26)
    • Careers (14)
      • Internship (7)
    • Leadership Spotlight (8)
  • Mitzi Freidheim Child + Family Center (4)
  • Mothers Day (1)
  • Northern Region (11)
  • Philanthropy (9)
  • Power of Fathers (4)
  • Program Results (54)
    • CCAP (2)
    • Choose 2 Change (7)
    • Community Schools (5)
    • Doula (3)
    • Foster Care (19)
      • Intact Family Services (2)
    • Head Start (2)
    • Healthy Start (2)
    • Mentoring (3)
    • Parents Care + Share (2)
    • Redeploy Illinois (2)
    • RISE (1)
    • Safe from the Start (2)
    • Stat of the Month (3)
    • Stronger Beginnings for Families (2)
  • Rice Child + Family Center (16)
  • Southern Region (11)
  • State Budget Crisis (6)
  • The Ahlquist Center (27)
    • Advocacy (18)
    • Newsletter (7)
  • Uncategorized (10)
    • Mentorship (4)
  • Veterans Day (2)
  • Volunteer Spotlight (4)
  • Woman's Board (6)
  • Youth Budget (2)

On Twitter

My Tweets
Children's Home + Aid

Corporate Home Office

125 South Wacker Drive, 14th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 424-0200
+ DONATE NOW!

ABOUT

  • Media / Press Room
    • Press Releases
  • Careers
  • Financial Information
  • Corporate & Foundation Partners
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy

GET IN TOUCH

  • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • United Way
  • COA

© copyright 2021 children’s home + aid