MLK Day, A Visit from Our Governor, Holiday Gift Giving, ZooLights & More! | |
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On January 4, newly re-elected Governor J. B. Pritzker toured and held a press conference at our Little Village site at 2929 W. 19th St. (See "In the Media" below). During his remarks, Gov. Pritzker expressed support for our innovative Grow Your Own Apprenticeship program. This program focuses on hiring entry-level childcare professionals from the communities where they will work and investing in the tools, skills, and mentorship that they will need to thrive in this industry. In doing so, the Center addresses the shortage of qualified professionals needed to serve our families while providing career paths and economic opportunity to our communities.
Itanzia Dawson, who started as a teacher’s aide in the Grow Your Own program, spoke to the crowd about her journey as a working mother: “The Grow Your Own program at the Center has allowed me the opportunity to turn my job into a career.” The Center launched the formal Grow Your Own apprenticeship program in 2021.
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Join Early Childhood Advocates on Feb. 8!
Early childhood advocates are looking forward to hearing from Chicago’s mayoral candidates at the Early Childhood Mayoral Forum on February 8, 2023.
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Early Childhood Education (Ages 0-5): | | |
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Holiday Festivities
In December, each of our flagship sites welcomed a visit from Santa Claus who put a smile on our children’s faces! There was also a surprise visit from the Grinch, who was met with a little less enthusiasm.
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Out-of-School-Time (Ages 5-17): | | |
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OST Art Show
Every year, out-of-school-time youth have the chance to present their art in a site-wide show. This year's art show comes on the heels of Lights On Afterschool's nationwide virtual talent show, where many of the Center's talented youth had the chance to show off their skills such as singing, dancing, and acting!
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Lincoln Park ZooLights
Thanks to the generosity of the Lincoln Park Zoo, 80 out-of-school time youth, as well as some of their family members, were able to see the amazing ZooLights holiday spectacular in December. The team at Lincoln Park Zoo sponsored the cost of admission, two buses, and provided $10 food vouchers to each guest.
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Holiday Gift Giving
This is the first season our Development team has coordinated holiday “gift shops.” Community partners donated many of the gifts for the Center’s children and youth, and families were invited to shop for the presents that would bring the biggest smile to their children’s faces. Volunteers were on hand to help package, wrap, and tag the gifts before families took them home. Over 3,000 toys and games were donated to the Center – enough for every child enrolled at the Center as well as many other children served at our partner sites and through home-based programs.
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We are so grateful for all our holiday gift shop volunteers! | |
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The Carole Robertson Center observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day as children and youth across the Center learned about empathy, compassion, and the importance of standing up for what is right. Teaching about the Civil Rights Movement is a great way for children to learn about the power of peaceful protest, kindness and diversity to effect social change.
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Did You Know?
Our Social Justice & Equity Committee works to develop family activities focused on breaking down racial stereotypes and creating multicultural literacy within our children. Our children and youth took home over 5,300 books in the fiscal year 2022!
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Community-Based Advocacy: | |
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REP. Quigley Secures $750,000 for Albany Park Site Capital Improvements
U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley has secured $750,000 towards capital improvements for the Carole Robertson Center for Learning at Albany Park, as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations government funding package.
President and CEO Bela Moté said that this funding "would enable the Carole Robertson Center to initiate several critical infrastructure investments at our Albany Park site so it can continue to be a catalyst for our economy: Families can work, go to school, or otherwise pursue their own economic mobility while their children are learning, growing and thriving to reach their potential.”
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Early Childhood Resource Fair
In November, the Carole Robertson Center for Learning was invited to participate in an Early Childhood Resource Fair, which was organized by State Senators Cristina Pacione-Zayas and Omar Aquino. We were able to distribute diapers, supplies, and program information to over 200 families.
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North River Commission
In December, the Center hosted the North River Commission (NRC) for their quarterly Social Service Professional Development, where community members and partners from within Albany Park convened to share resources. The event also gave participants a chance to learn about the Center, our history, and our programs and supports for children and families. The NRC has been a longstanding community partner to the Albany Park Community Center, and we look forward to continuing the relationship!
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MIECHV Program
Congress recently expanded and reauthorized the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program as part of the year-end omnibus bill. This five-year reauthorization will ensure stability for federally funded home visiting programs and allow our state legislators to continue to strengthen these programs throughout Illinois. We are especially thankful to U.S. Representative Danny Davis (IL-7), who represents our Little Village and North Lawndale sites, and is the original co-sponsor of the bill.
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Gov. Pritzker Visit, January 4: On January 4, our Little Village site welcomed a visit from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Gov. Pritzker toured the site and held a press conference around early childhood education support from the State. He vowed to make Illinois the top state in the country in supporting access to ECE and lauded the Carole Robertson Center’s work, including the Grow Your Own program (see above). Thank you, Gov. Pritzker, for your continuing partnership! Gov. J. B. Pritzker vows to prioritize access to child care for Illinois families in second term
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Chicago Sun-Times
Lurie Children’s Hospital/Schreiber Family Center Announcement, November 4: Lurie Children's Hospital announced their new The Schreiber Family Center for Early Childhood Health and Wellness during a news conference at the Carole Robertson Center, with which they're partnered, to "train staff in recognizing and responding to trauma in children": New center at Lurie Children’s Hospital to focus on early childhood wellness
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Save the Date for Our Annual Celebration | JOIN US FOR OUR E3 GALA ON MAY 11!
Save the Date! Our Annual Celebration has a new name that highlights our mission to Educate, Enrich, and Empower children, youth, and families! It'll be a fun filled evening with emcee Jacoby Cochran from City Cast Chicago and local historian, tour guide, TikTok star and social media sensation from Chicago Mahogany, Shermann "Dilla" Thomas, as our keynote speaker!
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End-of-Year Appeal Thanks
We surpassed our $50,000 goal, thanks to our friends! Because of your generosity, we raised over $89,000 to support the children and families in our communities. Together, we also provided more than 3,000 holiday gifts for children and youth.
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Give Today. Empower Tomorrow!
For every dollar you invest in us, you will see the return on your investment in the stories and impact on our children, youth, and families.
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An Honor & Responsibility
Since its inception, the Center has worked to honor the life and memory of Carole Robertson who, together with her friends Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, and Denise McNair, was killed in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
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