Our Blog
Keeping Families Strong
May is National Foster Care Month, and this year’s theme is Relative and Kin Connections: Keeping Families Strong. Did you know Shelter’s Foster Care Program works to reunite families whenever it’s in the youth’s best interest and that our foster families may be traditional or home-of-relative?
In Remembrance: What We Have Learned in the Last Three Years
April 15 marks the third anniversary of six-year-old AJ Freund’s death from child abuse. Though most of us remember his name, there have been so many others since including six-year-olds Damari Perry and infants Ameer and Johntavis Newell. Have we learned anything since then?
Women’s History Month: Honoring Women of Ukraine
Since 1987, Women’s History Month has been celebrated in March to recognize the contribution of women in history, culture, and society. Ironically, this year’s theme is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” Right now, no women are making history more than those in Ukraine…
Social Workers’ Month: Behind the Scenes at Shelter
Chicago’s own Jane Adams who won the Nobel Prize in 1931, Dorothy Height won the Congressional Gold Medal, Wendy Sherman was awarded the National Security Medal…all social workers of whom we are proud. But we are equally proud of Shelter’s social workers, who may not get the same fame or glory, but day after day, impact the lives of children…
Black History Month: A Name to Remember
No Black history in America or history of children’s advocacy can be complete without the name of Marian Wright Edelman. Her impact on the welfare of all children has been profound…
Your Role In Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Some people are surprised, due to misinformation, to learn Shelter serves a growing number of children and youth who have been victims of human trafficking, but victims come from everywhere. By knowing the facts and sharing them with others, YOU MAY SAVE A LIFE….
Death of a Child Hauntingly Familiar
On December 29, 2021, six-year-old Damari Perry of North Chicago was forced by a relative to stand in a cold shower as a punishment, for an extended period, when he began to vomit. Though he became unresponsive, and his condition critical, no one called 911, and Damari died…
HOLIDAY CHEER FOR YOU!
We wish you the happiest of holidays from all of us at Shelter and thank you for making the season memorable for Shelter’s children, youths, and families!
Between COVID and the staff shortages we share with the country, and the ups and downs of social services, it hasn’t been an easy year. Yet, because of you and other members of our Shelter family, we have accomplished so much….
Meet the Student Who Keeps Kids on Track
Before completing his freshman year in college, Noah Mayo was making plans for this summer. He would continue his track workouts for his body, take two summer classes for his brain, but as he says, he “wanted to do something to help others and feed his soul.” Noah...