In this issue: Partnering with The Harbour, Healthy Families Celebrates Together, Good News, Making a Meaningful Gift, Holiday Thank You's, New Grants to Improve TLP, and More

New Partnership Will Increase
Outreach and Services

Shelter is excited to receive its first federal grant award through a new community-based collaboration with The Harbour, a northwest suburban agency focused on housing solutions for at-risk youth, to increase access to housing and support for runaway and homeless youth ages 12-17.

 The grant from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Administration for Children and Families will enable The Harbour and Shelter to team up to provide safe and appropriate shelter, case management, and mental health counseling. The funding will also allow youth to stay longer in Shelter's emergency shelters beyond the standard 21 days and widens the criteria for placement so more youth will be eligible for housing and support. 

While many assume that homelessness is an urban problem, runaway youth and those experiencing homelessness exist in suburban areas across Chicagoland. 

Community partnerships are critical to addressing child welfare issues that can transform communities. Together, Shelter and The Harbour will provide greater access to housing, resources, and support services that build skills and foster independence, helping young people find an alternative to a life on the streets and an opportunity for a brighter future.

Healthy Families Shares Holiday Joy at
Annual Party

Santa came to town a bit early this month to visit with children and deliver gifts at Shelter's annual Healthy Families Holiday Party, held at the Rec Plex in Mt. Prospect on December 5. Kids and families enjoyed pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, and a delicious dinner. We are so grateful to Wheels for once again sponsoring this event and to Santa, Harry Brax, and his elf, Terri Brax, for bringing the holiday magic. 

Your Gift Creates a Path Forward

Children are incredibly resilient, but that resilience can often be tested when they experience trauma. This is especially true for children who have faced extreme circumstances such as abuse, neglect, or loss, often as part of child welfare systems.

Shelter's clinical staff is helping to provide a path forward for these young people, but we need your support to increase access to mental health care, especially in low-income communities where wait times are often so long that children miss the opportunity for support, leading to poor outcomes in adulthood.

Please consider making a meaningful year-end gift. Your support will allow for the expansion of Shelter's Clinical Program--hiring and training new therapists, increasing services, and most importantly, creating a future where every child has access to the care they need to thrive.

Find out if your employer will match your gift. Many do! You may be able to double or even triple the impact of your donation!

'Tis the season...and while joyful for so many, the holidays can be a difficult and emotional time for children who have experienced trauma and are separated from their families. We strive to make their holidays special, and we couldn't do it without your help. Thank you for creating happy holiday memories filled with delicious meals and holiday traditions.

The National Runaway Safeline
Chicago Cubs Charities 
Big Batts Q 
Basket Brigade 
Northwest Community Hospital Foundation 

At Shelter, we are sending a big thank you to CDS Legal who recently made a generous donation to support the agency and our work. CDS Legal Vice President of eDiscovery Productions & Solutions, Mike Milicevic, said, “We love the work Shelter is doing to support youth in the community and are proud to support an organization that will soon celebrate 50 years of services in Arlington Heights.”

If your corporation would like to support Shelter, please reach out to Simone Wheeler, Director of Development, for further information about our Corporate Champions program. 

Thank You, Grantors

Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for funding the renovation of the kitchen at Shelter's Transitional Living Program Home 

Arlington Heights Community Block Grants for funding tuckpointing and the installation of sprinkler and alarm systems at Shelter's Transitional Living Program Home 

Cuore e Mani for a general operation grant

Northfield Community Church for a grant in support of Healthy Families child abuse prevention home visiting program

Palatine Jaycees for a grant in support of Shelter's Home Improvement Fund