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Open June Connections for the latest Shelter news
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In this issue:Keeping Families Together, A Father's Day Gift that Gives Back, LGBTQ+ Kids and the Importance of Affirming Care, Home Renovations, Shelter Around Town, Thank You's and More
Together Again: The Power of Reunification
"When mom picked the children up from school and took them home for good, they all cried—as did I."
Shelter’s Foster Care Supervisor Denise Nutall-Walker still remembers that day vividly. For months, she had worked alongside a mother carrying an unimaginable burden: grieving the loss of one child while fighting to reunite with her remaining children. Denise helped her navigate services, secure an apartment, and furnish it with everything her children would need. Then came the moment everyone had been working toward—the day they were together again.
Stories like this are why reunification remains the primary goal of foster care whenever it can be achieved safely. This past year, nearly half of all children in Shelter's foster care program were successfully reunited with their families.
"Every path to reunification looks different," says Shelter Foster Care Director Christine Siwula. "Our job is to ensure that no parent or child walks that path alone." Shelter's foster care team works alongside parents, children, foster families, and community partners to help overcome barriers, strengthen relationships, and build the stability needed for a safe return home.
For Denise, this experience stands as a reminder of what's possible when parents are given the support they need and never lose hope. "When it is safe and appropriate, there is nothing more powerful than helping a family come back together," she said.
. This National Reunification Month, your support can provide children and families with the resources, guidance, and stability they need to heal and find their way home.
With Father’s Day approaching, I’ve been thinking about the people in my life who believed in me when I was young and helped shape me into the person I am today.
Not every child has that kind of support.
At Shelter, we work every day to provide safety, stability, and hope for young people facing difficult circumstances.
This Father's Day, I invite you to honor someone in your life who made a difference with a tribute gift that helps ensure children and families receive the support they need to thrive. Consider making a monthly gift of $15 or more and create a lasting impact throughout the year.
HONORING PRIDE MONTH Why Affirming Support Matters
LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges that can increase their risk of entering foster care or experiencing homelessness. In fact:
LGBTQ+ youth are nearly 2.5 times more likely than their peers to experience foster care.
Nearly30% of youth in foster careidentify as LGBTQ+, despite representing a much smaller portion of the overall youth population.
Family rejection remains one of the leading contributors to homelessness and child welfare involvement among LGBTQ+ youth.
These realities underscore the importance of safe, affirming spaces and caring adults who help young people feel seen, supported, and valued.
At Shelter, LGBTQ+ youth can access housing, mental health counseling, foster care services, and compassionate support designed to help them find safety, stability, and hope for the future. During Pride Month—and throughout the year—your support helps ensure every young person who comes through our doors has a place to belong and the opportunity to thrive.
"Having one supportive adult, after months or years of trauma, restores hope."
📼WATCH NOW!A PRIDE MONTH CONVERSATION: Hear from Angela Watson, Foster Care and Adoption Caseworker, about why so many young people experience crisis before finding support.
Creating Spaces Where Youth Can Thrive
Exciting improvements are underway at Shelter! Thanks to funding from an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grant, the bathrooms at our Buckholz Emergency Shelter have been completely renovated, creating a more welcoming, comfortable, and functional space for the youth we serve. Next up: a kitchen remodel!
At our Transitional Living Program home, new concrete walkways and refreshed landscaping have helped create an inviting outdoor space where young people can feel at home as they work toward independence.
Partners Making a Difference
Thanks to the invaluable support of the following organizations this past month, more youth and families in our community found safety, stability, and hope.
Southminister Presbyterian Church for generous support
First Presbyterian Church for donating spring coats for youth in our Healthy Families Program
Village Treasure House for supplying diapers and wipes for babies in our care
Our Saviour's Evangelical Lutheran Church for generous support
Northfield Community Church for generous support
Kada’s Promise for donating dozens of teddy bears, offering emotional comfort to young people who are experiencing crisis
Impact Makers of Palatine for hosting a dance party benefitting Shelter and raising $5,000!
Kristen Daniels, Chief Development Officer, (left) and Carina H. Santa Maria, CEO (right) attended the 8th Annual Be Mine Gala hosted by Let It Be Us on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at The City Hall. The evening raised critical funds to fuel innovative foster care and adoption solutions in Illinois. Over the past five years, Shelter and Let It Be Us have partnered to identify, license, and support foster families, expanding the network of qualified caregivers and strengthening outcomes for children in need.
SAVE THE DATE: Emergency Foster Parent Q & A Tuesday, July 28 6:00-7:30 p.m. (in person or virtually) Worth Park District
Learn about becoming an Emergency Foster parent with Shelter. We especially encourage bilingual Spanish-speaking families, educators, healthcare professionals, first responders, and individuals with parenting or special needs experience to attend. Registration opening soon.
Seeking Part-Time and Full-Time Youth Care Professionals
Join the team at Shelter’s new residential therapeutic program for young female survivors of human trafficking and play a vital role in restoring hope, healing, and opportunity.
Shelter Youth & Family Services 3227 N. Wilke Rd., Suite 150 Arlington Heights, IL 60004 24-Hour Referral Line: 847.255.8060 www.shelter-inc.org
Shelter Youth & Family Services is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive resources for youth and families from all backgroundsand identities.
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