Family Focus

This week, we sponsored the Child Poverty Forum, hosted by Children's Advocates for Change. It was a wonderful event that brought together passionate advocates from across Illinois to address the critical issue of child poverty. In 2022, 15.7% of children in Illinois were living in poverty, with Black and Latinx children facing these challenges more often than others. This event was a powerful reminder of the work still needed to create a more equitable future for all children. Our Dara Munson, had the honor of moderating the Poverty and Health Panel, alongside thought leaders like Rev. Dr. Starsky D. Wilson (President and CEO of the Children's Defense Fund) and Mariana Souto-Manning (President of Erikson Institute). Their insights and dedication to addressing systemic barriers were truly inspiring! A special thank you to Dr. Tasha Green Cruzat and Mitchell Lifson for organizing such a meaningful event. The turnout from all over Illinois shows just how committed our community is to driving change and advocating for our children's futures. Together, we can continue to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes, and build a stronger foundation for the children and families who need it most. #FamilyFocus #ChildPoverty #AdvocacyInAction #CommunityImpact #ChildrensDefenseFund #EriksonInstitute #EquityForAll #SocialJustice #HispanicHeritageMonth #TogetherWeThrive

Catch Up on Our Latest Focus Forward Newsletter! As we kick off a new fiscal year, we’re excited to share how our team continues to drive positive change through advocacy and service. In our latest newsletter, we highlight our recent achievements, from advocating for afterschool programs and work permits to partnering with amazing organizations like Children's Advocates for Change ACTNOW , Subaru of America, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and NASCAR. Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we’re making a difference!    Read more of our Fall 2024 newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/gCfSRauA #FamilyFocus #CommunityImpact #Advocacy #Partnerships #SupportFamilies #Empowerment

Congratulations to our Board Chair, Caragh De Luca! We are thrilled to share that Caragh has been recognized as a notable leader in Accounting, Consulting & Law by Crain's Chicago Business! This acknowledgement reflects Caragh’s dedication to excellence and her passion for driving meaningful change in her field. Join us in celebrating Caragh and thanking her for her steadfast support and leadership! #LeadershipExcellence #ChangeAgents #MakingaDifference #FamilyFocus #BoardLeadership #NotableLeaders #CrainsChicago

What further steps are needed to break the cycle of child poverty in East St. Louis? How will Illinois meet the goal of a state commission to eliminate child poverty in the State by 2031? Those are just a few of the questions we'll explore this Tuesday at our child poverty forum in East St. Louis. There are still a few seats left if you want to join us. Just go to https://bit.ly/CAFCPF.

Labor Day is often seen as a chance for a long weekend of relaxation, but it’s also a moment to recognize countless American workers who have shaped our society. Here at Family Focus, we are so grateful for the hard work of parents, educators, and community members who selflessly support the growth and development of our children and families. Recently, during a parent meeting at our Hyde Park center, we shared our vision for our Early Childhood Education program: to ensure every child learns, grows, and develops to their fullest potential, becoming independent and thriving in their own right. Let' always remember the importance of working together to build stronger families and communities. Thank you to all who labor with love and commitment to making our world a better place! Wishing everyone a safe and happy Labor Day! #LaborDay #FamilyFocus #EarlyChildhoodEducation #CommunityImpact #EmpoweringFamilies #ChildDevelopment #HydePark #SupportOurMission #TogetherWeThrive

We are so proud to sponsor the upcoming Children's Advocates for Change Child Poverty Forum in East St. Louis on September 10th, where our very own Dara Munson will be facilitating an important panel discussion on combating child poverty. This event is FREE and open to all, and we encourage you to register in advance! Simply scan the QR code on the flyer or visit https://bit.ly/CAFCPF to secure your spot. We hope to see you there for this meaningful conversation about creating brighter futures for our children. #FamilyFocus #ChildPovertyForum #CommunitySupport #AdvocacyInAction #ChildrenAdvocatesForChange #MakingADifference

Sending a warm Thank You to Joel K. Johnson, President and CEO of TASC, for joining our insightful lineup of speakers during our Summer Institute programming! Joel’s dedication to advocating for individuals and communities facing trauma, substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and social injustices echos our mission at Family Focus. His commitment to ensuring health, dignity, and opportunity for all resonates deeply with our goals of empowering families and disrupting the cycles linked to poverty. Thank you, Joel, for your passion and leadership! #FamilyFocus #SummerInstitute #CommunityImpact #Empowerment #TASC #SocialJustice #MentalHealthAwareness

Day 1 of our Summer Institute has been nothing short of amazing! The energy in the room has been through the roof as we kicked off with inspiring opening remarks from Dara Munson, followed by a morning Energizer that got everyone moving! We've been diving deep into our program updates with the RVP Team, learning from Finance, and hearing about our advocacy and policy efforts from the Development Team. We also took a closer look at our IMPACT with a data review and participated in a highly informative personal safety and de-escalation training session. Our exploration of Trauma-Informed Care Practices was both enlightening and essential to the work we do every day. And let's not forget the delicious lunch that kept us fueled and ready for more learning! But what truly made Day 1 special were the heartwarming personal stories shared by our team members. Hearing about their experiences working with Family Focus, the countless memories made, and the difference they've seen in the lives of the children and families we serve was incredibly moving. It’s clear that every team member embodies the mission, vision, and goals of Family Focus each and every day. We can’t wait to see what Day 2 has in store! Stay tuned for more! #FamilyFocus #SummerInstitute #TeamFocus #CommunityImpact #TraumaInformedCare #AdvocacyInAction #MakingADifference

Yesterday, our Dara Munson, was honored at the Community Commendation Ceremony by Delia Catalina Ramirez Earlier this year, Dara was also recognized on the Congress floor a true testament to her leadership and dedication to our mission. We are inspired by her commitment to making a difference every day. Let’s continue to support and uplift those who are driving positive change in our communities. Together, we can achieve even greater impact! #FamilyFocus #CommunityImpact #Leadership #Empowerment #ChicagoNonProfit #MakingADifference

Whether you're a board member, donor, supporter, intern, team member, or volunteer, your dedication has made a profound difference for children and families. And, as we move towards FY 2025, we are excited about the opportunities ahead and the potential to make an even bigger impact. Join us in continuing to support our mission and drive positive change in our community. Thank you for being an important part of the Family Focus community. Click below to watch our FY 2024 highlights to see the impact we've made together! https://lnkd.in/gWHPMEgU #FamilyFocus #CommunityImpact #FY2024Highlights #SupportOurMission #NonProfit #MakingADifference #WatchNow