Investing in strengthening families and their children in Chicago and NE Illinois.
Founded in 1976 by Bernice Weissbourd, a leading scholar and educator in child development, the organization has grown from a single site to eight direct service centers in the Chicago metropolitan area. Throughout its 35-year history, Family Focus has responded to community needs by expanding to new locations and developing new programs. Last year, Family Focus provided holistic family support se
rvices to over 20,000 individuals through regular programs and an additional 17,000 people through outreach and crisis intervention services.
Operating as usual
Move on from COVID? Child care disruptions continue
Forty-seven. That’s how many days of child care Kathryn Anne Edwards’ 3-year-old son has missed in the past year. RSV, COVID-19 and two bouts of the dreaded preschool scourge of hand, foot and mouth disease struck one after another.
Save the date! We will hold our annual Dream Builders Dinner on Thursday, May 4th, 2023 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. We will share more information in the coming weeks: see you there!
Happy New Year ❗️
2022 was filled with challenges and trials, but we persevered — With your support, we were able to come together to do our part, rising to the challenge, and supporting those in need ❤️
Across all of our centers, Family Focus is grateful for the strong community & donor support, that has allowed us to continue meeting the needs of our families in 2022. We are excited about what this new year will bring.
Wishing you a joyful, healthy & successful 2023 ❗️ 🥳
Save the date for “40 and Focused!” Our Highland Park center will celebrate its 40th Anniversary on Thursday, March 9th. We look forward to sharing more information with you soon.
All Family Focus offices are closed for New Year’s holiday. We’ll see you tomorrow!
Happy New Year! What are your New Year's Resolutions? #2023
Soon!
On this , we are grateful to all of those who have given in support of Family Focus this past year. Thank you!
All Family Focus offices are closed this week for the holidays. Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2022.
From our family to yours: happy holidays! ☃️
This is long overdue. This is what it looks like when Congress acts for working families.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was attached as an amendment to the omnibus spending bill that passed the Senate earlier today. The amendment will guarantee basic workplace accommodations for pregnant employees, a major victory for worker advocates who’ve spent years lobbying for the change. These sorts of protections are long overdue. Thoughts?
All Family Focus offices will be closed on Friday, December 23rd, and will remain closed through the end of the year. Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 03rd. See you next year!
Stark racial disparities in maternal mortality rates have existed for years, and during the pandemic African-American women have had the largest increase in maternal mortality rates. Join Children’s Advocates for Change this afternoon at twelve noon (Central Time) for an online public policy forum on the issue. Advance registration is requested at http://bit.ly/maternalhealthforum.
Stark racial disparities in maternal mortality rates have existed for years, and during the pandemic African-American women have had the largest increase in maternal mortality rates. Join Children’s Advocates for Change tomorrow at 12 noon (Central Time) for an online public policy forum on the issue. Advance registration is requested at http://bit.ly/maternalhealthforum.
Stark racial disparities in maternal mortality rates have existed for years, and during the pandemic African-American women have had the largest increase in maternal mortality rates. Join Children’s Advocates for Change this Friday at twelve noon (Central Time) for an online public policy forum on the issue. Advance registration is requested at http://bit.ly/maternalhealthforum.
Evanston area friends! Join us tonight from 6–8pm at at 1655 Foster St and share your thoughts and feedback on the new Fifth Ward school.
¡Amigos del área de Evanston! Únase a nosotros esta noche, 6 de diciembre de 6 a 8 p. m. en 1655 Foster St y comparta sus pensamientos y comentarios sobre la nueva escuela de Fifth Ward.
In 2020, the maternal mortality rate nationally for non-Hispanic Black women was 55.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.9 times the rate for non-Hispanic white women. Join Children’s Advocates for Change on December 9th at 12:00 p.m. (Central Time) for an online public policy forum on the issue. Advance registration is requested at http://bit.ly/maternalhealthforum.
Thank you to all of our supporters who gave this past ! Thanks to your generosity, we raised nearly $12,000 to support Chicagoland families. Thank you! ☺️
Stark racial disparities in maternal mortality rates have existed for years and during the pandemic African-American women have had the largest increase in maternal mortality rates. Join Children’s Advocates for Change on December 9th at 12:00 p.m. (Central Time) for an online public policy forum on the issue. Advance registration is requested at http://bit.ly/maternalhealthforum.
Evanston area friends! Join us next Tuesday, December 6 from 6–8pm at at 1655 Foster St and share your thoughts and feedback on the new Fifth Ward school.
¡Amigos del área de Evanston! Únase a nosotros el próximo martes 6 de diciembre de 6 a 8 p. m. en 1655 Foster St y comparta sus opiniones y comentarios sobre la nueva escuela Fifth Ward.
Thank you Bright Promises Foundation!!
There's still time! Every day, our Hyde Park and South Shore preschools serve 200 children. Will you make a gift to support their futures? https://www.family-focus.org/donate/
Family Focus works with thousands of participants each year, and last year conducted more than 21,000 home visits to new moms and infants, supporting child development and parenting. Earlier this year, one of our Englewood participants, Monika G (alias), graduated from High School with a 4.0 GPA, and also graduated from our Home Visiting Program! Through hard work, she won a full scholarship to Western Illinois University, where she recently began studying to become a Registered Nurse. Monika is staying at on-campus family housing and has enrolled her child in the daycare center. She is excited for a new beginning for her baby and herself. Will you make a gift to support women like Monika? https://www.family-focus.org/donate/
Today is , a global day of unity and generosity. Whether you make a financial contribution, or give your time to a neighbor in need, or volunteer at the local food pantry — we all have something to share. What will you give?
¡Amigos del área de Evanston! Únase a nosotros el próximo martes 6 de diciembre de 6 a 8 p. m. en 1655 Foster St y comparta sus opiniones y comentarios sobre la nueva escuela Fifth Ward.
Evanston area friends! Join us next Tuesday, December 6 from 6–8pm at at 1655 Foster St and share your thoughts and feedback on the new Fifth Ward school.
You can help support more than 200 preschoolers on their educational journey. Visit https://family-focus.org/donate to give!
Happy Cyber Monday! As you shop for today’s best deals, don’t forget to save some something for !
Happy Black Friday! As we all try to find the best deals, remember to save something for !
Family Focus Team Members are supporting the busloads of asylum seekers who have recently arrived from Texas. None of these families have experienced the blistering cold of Chicago winters, and are ill-prepared and ill-equipped to bundle up. Your support in helping us fulfill the needs of families would greatly be appreciated.
Purchases on Amazon or in person deliveries can be made to our Nuestra Familia – Belmont Cragin office, located at 4878 W Armitage Ave, Chicago IL 60639, between 9am and 5pm, Monday – Friday. Thank you!
From our family to yours.
All Family Focus offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. Normal hours will resume on Monday, November 28th.
Too much fun!
Family Focus Team Members are supporting the busloads of asylum seekers who have recently arrived from Texas. None of these families have experienced the blistering cold of Chicago winters, and are ill-prepared and ill-equipped to bundle up. Your support in helping us fulfill the needs of families would greatly be appreciated.
Purchases on Amazon or in person deliveries can be made to our Nuestra Familia – Belmont Cragin office, located at 4878 W Armitage Ave, Chicago IL 60639, between 9am and 5pm, Monday – Friday. Thank you!
Mark your calendar! Giving Tuesday is one week from today – click below to learn about the impact that Family Focus Evanston has had on one young writer! What do you have to give? https://www.family-focus.org/202211-evanston-poet/
Danyla (alias) is a senior at Evanston High School, a participant in Family Focus Evanston’s after-school programs, and an accomplished writer and poet. She has been involved with Family Focus since she was a toddler, when her mother received services. Due to medical issues in her early life, Dany...
Every year, Family Focus works with more than 19,000 of our neighbors across Chicagoland. As one participant says, “I believe this program is the best thing for my 2-year-old daughter and 2-month-old son. She is a highly educated child because of the support of this Highland Park community. My son is highly observant because they always include him in activities. … I am more than willing to travel for my children because of the staff, program curriculum, field trips, transportation assistance, resources & opportunities provided to moms and dads, and community-based environment is so important to me. It keeps me running back, no matter the distance! It makes me want to be a better mom, show up on time, and start to hold myself as a parent to higher standards.”
Save the date! ✉️ Next week the world will celebrate : a global day of unity and generosity, where communities and individuals come together to give back to those in need. Family Focus is on the front lines, helping thousands of our families and neighbors across Chicagoland get the vital support they need. Everyone has something to give: whether it's a gift of time, talent, or treasure.
310 S Peoria Street Ste 301
Chicago, IL
60607
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Marta from Cicero, IL tells her story as a participant at Family Focus. #GivingTuesday
Group meetings are just like gathering with friends. Our staff work in partnership with our participants. During educational groups, you can find our staff sitting next to our participants and babies on laps. Not only are moms learning, but babies are socializing and new friendships are being made. For example, here's a meeting at Family Focus DuPage/Elgin. #GivingTuesday If you'd like to help us continue this programs indefinitely, please commit to making a small monthly contribution: http://bitly.com/familyfocusgt
Steve Majsak, Senior VP, External Relations sat in while Ernst & Young LLP taught our participants at the Nuestra Familia center how to use their phones to access their child's school updates, use apps like Ventra Mobile, Uber, and other helpful day to day programs. We love hosting coprorate groups who have information to offer our participants. #GivingTuesday Please consider making a pledge to donate $5, $10 or $25 a month to benefit Family Focus programs. It takes a community to support parents, and we'd love for you to join us. www.bitly.com/familyfocusgt
Theresa was a participant at Family Focus Evanston when she was in third grade. Now she operates her own nonprift called World of Women. And we couldn't be more proud of her and how she's giving back to the community. Every parent needs support and there is always room for more. Thank you, Theresa!
Today, in honor of Giving Tuesday, we're sharing videos of staff, participants and community supports. Julie Hamos has been a board member with Family Focus for many years. Here she is sharing why she got involved with Family Focus and challenges you to make a commitment today too. #GivingTuesday Sign up today to make a monthly contribution support children and families. http://bit.ly/familyfocusgt
In partnership with Forward Momentum Chicago, 5th and 6th grade girls from Family Focus Englewood are participating in a modern and African dance program. Their first performance was February 19th at the Girl Scouts Fashion Show. Don't the girls look like they're having so much fun!?
Part of President and CEO Merri Ex’s speech tonight at the Family Focus Lawndale Open House.
UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affa
S Peoria StreetUIC Global Asian Studies Program
South Morgan StreetIllinois Department of Financial and Professi
West Monroe StreetIllinois Department of Human Rights
W Monroe StreetIllinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood
S Clinton Street FlAmerican Heart Association - Illinois
South Riverside PlazaCEDA: Community and Economic Development Asso
W Lake Street
American Friends Service Committee--Chicago
S Dearborn Street
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc; Omicron Xi C
S Wabash Avenue
Cornerstone Community Outreach
N Clifton Avenue
National Futures Association Careers
S Riverside Plz
Boy Scouts of America- Troop 973- Chicago, Il
N Hermitage Avenue
Steve Roach Law Offices & Proline Legal
N. Michigan Avenue 14th Floor
Greater Chicago Food Depository
W Ann Lurie Place