In this issue:   Back to School, Shelter's 50th Anniversary, New Game Room, Foster Care Council, Our Graduates, Thank You's, Jobs at Shelter and More

Supporting Your Child's Mental Health

It’s that time of year when even if the weather is warm, there is a shift in the energy as families prepare for the transition from summer to back-to-school. For some, this may be a time of excitement and intrigue. For others, it may be a time that brings a bit more anxious mood. Academic pressure, social expectations and different environments can trigger a rise in anxiety. Schools are more aware than ever of mental health needs for students, yet there are still things you can do at home to support a strong start to the school year for you and your child’s mental health. 

Get Back to Basics Sleep, nourishing meals, and exercise are all important in supporting strong mental health. 

Recognize the Bigger Picture Experiences, both positive and more difficult ones, offer children and adolescents opportunities to grow and develop the skills and tasks necessary to become successful adults. 

Be Proactive and Preventative Before school starts is an ideal time to prepare for a successful year. Click here for a list of tips to help alleviate anxiety about returning to school.

Connection is Key Regardless of any transition, connection with others is a significant protective factor to resilience and overall good mental health. Many schools and local organizations offer clubs or other after-school activities to engage students outside of school hours.  

Learn more about how you can support your child's mental health. Click below to read the full article.

The year was 1975... Rhinestone Cowboy was playing on the radio, M*A*S*H was on TV and Bill Gates was busy launching Microsoft. Something else really big was happening at that time: Shelter, Inc. was officially incorporated. This winter, we will kick off our 50th Anniversary Celebration! 

To coincide with this milestone, we are moving our annual Gala from November to spring 2025 and planning an event 50 years in the making! We have so much more to share with you about how you can honor the history, vision and impact of Shelter, Inc. through the years. Stay tuned!

Extreme Makeover: Game Room Edition
KeHe Cares Fosters Connections through Game Play

Thank you KeHe Cares for providing funds to renovate and equip a new game room at Shelter Inc.'s Buckholz emergency shelter. KeHe understands that gaming is more than just something fun to do. Gaming provides a therapeutic escape for our young residents, reducing their stress and anxiety. The new space also encourages youth to connect with each other, fostering a sense of community and friendship. With partners like KeHe Cares, more young people will find the strength and support they need to heal from trauma.

Five Graduate from Healthy Families Program

On August 6, participants from Shelter's Healthy Families program came together for a Summer Celebration & Graduation at Bison Bluff in Schaumburg. Staff honored five children who graduated from Healthy Families and are headed to kindergarten this fall. Healthy Families is a nationally recognized home visiting program that offers five years of free, one-on-one support for first-time parents who face multiple challenges. Our staff partner with young parents, providing reliable, compassionate support and helping them strengthen their families' functioning. Click here to learn more.

Executive Director Carina H. Santa Maria has a key seat at the table on Illinois' Statewide Foster Care Advisory Council. The Council brings together parents and professionals who understand the work of foster care and want to see the Illinois child welfare system at its best. If you are a foster parent, please consider attending an upcoming meeting to learn about new initiatives and provide your input on local concerns. 

Staff Earn Graduate Degrees
We are so proud of our staff who strive for excellence both professionally and academically. Congratulations to Foster Care Caseworker, Denise Nutall who graduated in June with a Master's Degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and Permanency and Family Finding Specialist, J'Taia Miller who earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from Aurora University. Well done!

You are Helping Kids Step into a Brighter Future!

Thank you community partners and individual donors for outfitting nearly 100 youth and young adults with backpacks and school supplies needed for a successful start to the school year!

Special thanks to the following organizations for their support: 

Representative Mary Beth Canty's Office, Wheels, Southminster Presbyterian Church, Heaven on Earth Candles, North Cook Intermediate Service Center, Club Pilates Palatine, Chicago Swim School, VideoJet Technologies, Project Save Our Skin

(The organizations in blue are hosting school supply drives throughout the month of August.) 

ADDITIONAL THANKS TO...

Byline Bank and the Andrew and Alice Fischer Trust for your generous grants to support Shelter, Inc. programs

Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove for funds to purchase an AED for our emergency shelter

Volunteers who helped out at the Christmas in July Half-Marathon on Saturday, July 20 in Elk Grove (pictured below) and to the race organizer who makes a contribution to Shelter, Inc. on behalf of our volunteers.

Thank you to the fabulous Coco & Blu in Arlington Heights for their continued support! Stop in today through August 31 to enjoy this month's latte benefiting Shelter, Inc.

Congratulations to our valued partner, Mirar Media for producing multiple spots that aired during the Olympics, highlighting the work of the American Heart Association. Mirar is committed to helping non-profits like Shelter, Inc. share their mission and vision through compelling video storytelling. Click here to watch one of the spots.