SOS Illinois Supports LGBTQ+ Youth in Foster Care
June is LGBTQ+ Pride month, and at SOS Children’s Villages Illinois, we’re looking at it as an important time to refocus on ways in which the LGBTQ+ community has been underserved for children in foster care. There are More LGBTQ+ Youth in Foster Care Than in the General Population Research has shown that LGBTQ+ youth … Read More »Support in Education for Children in Foster Care Goes Beyond High School at SOS Illinois
June is a wonderful season of celebration at SOS Illinois, and we couldn’t be more proud of our 2019 high school graduates. Every year, over 1.2 million students in the United States drop out of high school. For the youth in our care, we are thrilled to know that they are part of an incredible … Read More »Male Foster Parents Serve as Positive Role Models for Children in Foster Care
At SOS Illinois, male Foster Parents play a crucial role in the mentoring and support of children in foster care. Though women have been viewed as the caregivers and emotional support core of the family, the climate is rapidly shifting. With the changing attitude towards men as equal or primary caregivers, we are finding increased … Read More »SOS Illinois Works to Reduce PTSD Rates for Youth in Foster Care in the Chicagoland Area
When we think of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), we typically imagine soldiers returning from war. However, PTSD is not only limited to active or veteran members of the military. In fact, youth in foster care are experiencing PTSD at rates far higher than the general population. Why are PTSD Rates So High Amongst Youth in … Read More »Your Voice Has Been Heard: Five Visual Highlights of the #Voices4FosterCareCampaign
Your voice has been heard loud and clear. With your help, we were able to amplify our voices to new volumes during Child Abuse Prevention Month and Foster Care Awareness Month. Our #Voices4FosterCare campaign brought new and renewed attention to SOS Illinois. Here are just five highlights of our collective voice during this special moment … Read More »Oscar Award Winner Christian Bale Launched SOS Illinois’ #Voices4FosterCare Campaign at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios
On May 1, SOS Children’s Villages Illinois gathered alongside several 2019 Luminaries for Dining & Conversation, sponsored by Sodexo, at Cinespace Chicago Film Studio for a Conversation with the Media in support of children in foster care. A Conversation with the Media In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month – a month of awareness and … Read More »Chicago’s Business Community Supports Children in Foster Care
On Wednesday, May 1, SOS Children’s Villages Illinois gathered its 2019 Luminaries, Dining & Conversation sponsor Sodexo, and other local business leaders at 210 Design House (Snaidero Chicago) for a Leadership Reception as a precursor event to its spring gala – Dining & Conversation, which supports the children it serves at its four Chicagoland locations. … Read More »Chicago Mayor Lightfoot Offers Wisdom and Praise of SOS Illinois’ Foster Parents during Foster Care Awareness Month
As evening light shined through the tall windows of the Pritzker Pavilion Stage, Dining & Conversation 2019 – SOS Children’s Villages Illinois’ unique spring gala — opened with Chief Executive Officer, Tim McCormick, inviting Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, to offer a welcome to the evening’s Luminaries, Celebrity Chefs, 2019 Sponsor, and guests. “The work and … Read More »Christian Bale, Adam McKay, Gillian Flynn, David Eigenberg and More Lend Their #Voices4FosterCare at Dining & Conversation 2019 Sponsored by Sodexo
On May 1, 2019, the stars came out once again in support of SOS Children’s Villages Illinois. Serving as the launch of Foster Care Awareness Month (honored each May), as well as the #Voices4FosterCare campaign, Dining & Conversation offered the opportunity to dine alongside key supporters and friends in civics, business, entertainment, and more, gathered … Read More »SOS Illinois Revisits the History of National Foster Care Month
In the United State, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established the Children’s Bureau 106 years ago. Since then, the bureau has worked to assist children and youth in foster care; engage youth in decisions that affect their lives; and support Foster Parents, kinship caregivers, child welfare professionals, and others who help these … Read More »