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 – […]
Amy Leichtenberg on our Family Visitation Center and Abuse Awareness
Amy Leichtenberg is a dedicated advocate of prevention services and works tirelessly to raise awareness of child abuse. She is a mother who was part of the Children’s Home & Aid Family Visitation Center (FVC) program with her two children, Duncan and Jack, ages nine and seven. The Children’s Home & Aid FVC provides a safe, neutral environment for […]
The Butterfly Project Blog
The boy was angry. He had witnessed his father commit unimaginable violence against his mother before the two separated. The boy would attack his mother, had fits of anger and suffered night terrors especially after visiting his father. But when you’re only 3-years-old, talk therapy isn’t as effective, and coping skills have yet to be […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Making the Holiday Season Brighter in Bloomington-Normal
Children’s Home & Aid is so grateful for all of the support we received in our Central Region this holiday season. Read below for all the details of our holiday events! In our Central Region… Stuff the Bus – The Bloomington-Normal community stepped up to make a significant difference in the lives of infants and […]
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Each year millions of children are exposed to violence in their homes. Exposure to violence, especially repeated over time, can interfere with children’s ability to think and learn and can disrupt the course of healthy physical, emotional, and intellectual development. Exposure to violence is also associated with increased use of health and mental health services […]
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 best to meet the needs in light of the community dynamic, resources, etc. However, there […]
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 teacher in the infant room at the Scott Early Learning Center, Mendy brings with her […]
Meet Rebecca, Healthy Start home visitor and former Doula client
Throughout 2018, we are celebrating 135 years of meeting every child, every family, where their need is greatest. Doing whatever it takes so children and families can thrive. We are proud of our legacy of meeting the changing needs of vulnerable families throughout Illinois and inspired by the children and families we serve and their stories of resilience. […]
Taking Steps to End Child Abuse 5K – Why We Run/Walk
April 21 marks the date of the 8th annual Taking Steps to End Child Abuse 5k Color Run/Walk in Normal, Illinois. Last year, nearly 109 runners and walkers came out to celebrate the lives of Duncan and Jack Leichtenberg and to raise funds for the Children’s Home & Aid Central Region Family Visitation Center in […]
$40,000 Walmart Foundation Grant to Support Crisis Nurseries
On February 22, Children’s Home & Aid staff and clients joined representatives from Walmart to celebrate a $40,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation with a check presentation at the Bloomington Crisis Nursery. The funding from the Walmart Foundation will support a child care worker at Children’s Home & Aid’s Bloomington Crisis Nursery and MotherHouse Crisis Nursery in Rockford. “Children’s Home […]
Brightening Futures for Youth in Foster Care and their Children
Laura* became pregnant during her first year at Illinois State University (ISU). Originally from Chicago and as a youth in foster care, Laura lacked a support network in the Bloomington-Normal area. Rather than drop out of school, Laura decided to continue at ISU and was referred to the Healthy Families home visiting program supported by […]
How Jenna Found Safety and Support through the Crisis Nursery
Jenna* arrived in Bloomington nine months pregnant and with no resources for herself or her unborn child. She fled Indiana to escape her violent boyfriend and found a place to stay at a local domestic violence shelter. Just one week away from her due date, the shelter referred Jenna to the Crisis Nursery. The Crisis […]
Earl Kloppmann Honored with Friend of Children Award by Prevent Child Abuse Illinois
On October 19, Earl Kloppmann, Children’s Home + Aid Program Manager of Parents Care + Share, was awarded the 2017 Friend of Children (FOC) Award by Prevent Child Abuse Illinois. The FOC Award is given out at the annual Prevent Child Abuse Illinois Statewide Conference to recognize those who have had a long term commitment […]
Upcoming Training Opportunities
CULTURAL COMPETENCY: Creating and Protecting Safe Spaces for Clients, Visitors, and Colleagues, and/or VIEW FROM THE TOP: Ethics and Integrity Presenter: Krista Woods, MSW, LCSW Date: Thursday, October 19, 2017 Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Where: Children’s Home + Aid Bloomington office Free for Children’s Home + Aid employees, interns and volunteers. $25.00 for […]
Care in Crisis
“My mommy has been hurt,” a 3-year-old girl cried, as she sat on her mom’s lap in the cozy living room of Children’s Home + Aid’s Crisis Nursery. Her mom had called the Crisis Nursery in a panic after her boyfriend became violent. She needed a safe place to stay with her three young daughters […]
From Help to Hope
After emerging from a series of physically and emotionally abusive relationships, 37-year-old Stacey found her five children, ages 3 to 17, struggling to cope. Stacey’s two oldest children often fought with each other, sometimes violently, and both lacked motivation to work or do well in school. Stacey’s middle daughter faced anger issues and was quick […]
Earl Kloppmann Recognized with 2017 Mowrer Award
The Family Service Self-Help Center awarded Earl Kloppmann, Children’s Home + Aid Program Manager for Parents Care + Share, the 2017 Mowrer Award for Outstanding Established Group. The award is in recognition of Earl’s work with the many parent support groups at Children’s Home + Aid. Darci Thompson, Regional Coordinator for Parents Care + Share at Children’s Home […]
