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 […]
One Year In: How Our Children and Families are Doing
Over the past year, we have seen firsthand the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the 30,000 children and families we partner with, many living in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the virus. The pandemic not only exacerbated the issues that our families already face—including poverty, chronic stress and mental health […]
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 […]
Northwestern Dance Marathon 2020 Overcomes Challenge to Raise $1M+ for the Rice Child & Family Center
Children’s Home & Aid had the honor to be chosen as the primary beneficiary for the 2020 Northwestern Dance Marathon, after a series of lengthy interviews and presentations last year. As one of the largest independent student-run philanthropies in the country, NUDM has raised more than $1 million for its beneficiaries in each of the […]
Creating an Emotionally Safe Space – Girl Scout Troop’s Silver Award Service Project
Girl Scout Troop 40102 has been quite busy for the past 15 months! For their Silver Award Service Project, the troop from Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth, Illinois, decided to stay close to their community and looked right in their own backyards to The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Child & Family Center. The […]
Celebrating End of Summer and Back to School at the Rice Center
The end of summer can be a bittersweet time for kids, but the children at the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Child & Family Center celebrated the “back to school season” with a bang, thanks to our generous volunteers and donors and the Rice Center staff. The end of summer carnival held at our […]
Northwestern University Dance Marathon Announces Children’s Home & Aid as its 2020 Primary Beneficiary
Children’s Home & Aid is thrilled to take part in Northwestern’s annual Dance Marathon (NUDM). We are even more excited to have funds and awareness raised for such a worthy cause – our Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Child & Family Center. The Rice Center provides intensive therapeutic treatment to youth ages six to […]
Thriving Families Podcast Episode 2 – Rice Center
Children’s Home & Aid’s communication specialist Isabella and strategy manager J.T. visited our Rice Center – a therapeutic residential center in Evanston. While visiting Rice, they met with the center’s director, Keith Polan, to discuss the value of this center for foster children. Listen below –
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 that Graze & Raise provides: proceeds profoundly impact the lives of children at the Daniel […]
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 resident at the Rice Child & Family Center. The letter, addressed to Sarah’s team of […]
Celebrating Social Work Month: A look back to 1988
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. […]
The Story of Jumping Jack
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. […]
Using Data to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families
Children’s Home + Aid staff including Michaela Meckel, Director of Performance + Analytics, and Colleen McGroarty, Performance Analyst, attended the Illinois CQI Community’s 3rd Annual CQI Conference: “In Pursuit of Quality: Data Literacy” held in Champaign, IL in November. Michaela and Colleen presented at the conference to more than 60 attendees on the topic of […]
Building a Network of Support for Children and Youth in Care
Michael’s* first memory is of living at his aunt’s house with his older brother and two cousins. This memory only recently came back to Michael, 13, while talking about his life story to his caseworker at the Rice Child + Family Center. The residents at Rice have been some of the first at Children’s Home […]
Corporate Partner of the Year – PwC – Make a new Rec Room Possible
After more than a year of planning, fundraising and designing, the new rec room at the Rice Child + Family Center officially opened on Friday, March 24. Children’s Home + Aid Trustee Alan Conkle, a team of PwC volunteers, and the architects behind the rec room joined Rice Center staff on Friday to unveil the room to the boys and girls. Each unit was […]
National Social Work Month – Yitzi Katz
In honor of National Social Work Month, we’re highlighting a handful of the many dedicated social workers who stand up every day for the children, youth and families we serve. Becoming a social worker offers you the opportunity to pursue a variety of career paths, from direct clinical practice to administration to advocacy and policy roles. As […]
National Mentoring Month
In honor of National Mentoring Month, we want to highlight our Rice Foster Friends Mentoring Program in Evanston. The Rice Foster Friends Mentoring Program matches residents with long-term mentors who serve as positive adult role models. Mentors help youth find ways to cope with past trauma, provide friendship and stability, and broaden their mentee’s horizon. […]
Reducing the Length of Stay for Children in Residential Treatment
The Rice Child + Family Center has been very successful at accomplishing its goal of transitioning children to a family or community setting as quickly as in the child’s and family’s best interest. Since 2010, Children’s Home + Aid has reduced the average length of stay at the Rice Center by more than 61%. In […]