Families who qualify for the Child Tax Credit began to receive checks on July 15, 2021. Under President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan, the monies available to eligible families through the Child Tax Credit have increased substantially. In her article…
An old West African proverb originating in Nigeria states, “It takes a village or community to raise a child.” Throughout the pandemic, our “villages” were abruptly interrupted with an urgent alert to stay home and many parts of our communities—churches,…
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of homelessness and unstable housing skyrocketed throughout Illinois. With a loss of employment for many Illinoisians and a significant drop in income for many more, housing security has become a major problem. Without secure, stable…
Children and youth are more successful in school when their basic needs are met. Students need to feel safe and to be loved and accepted. They need opportunities to grow and excel. They deserve readily available resources that will address…
The televised murder of George Floyd, the protestors, and the conviction of formal police officer Derek Chauvin has brought exposure to a larger problem when policing communities of color. Now we have the police killing of 20-year-old Daunte Wright, 16-year-old…
We’ve extended the deadline to May 15 for nominations for our three annual awards! Do you know someone in the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) who provides extraordinary service or advocacy efforts on behalf of children, youth and/or families? All NIC…
During this past year, the coronavirus pandemic has had an impressionable and, in most situations, lasting impact on Illinois’ children. Many teachers, administrators, professionals, parents and caretakers have worked tirelessly to help their students succeed during these unprecedented times. Virtual…
The coronavirus pandemic has notably magnified some of this nation’s deepest disparities. These disparities are based on race, gender, ethnicity, and income level. It has unequivocally devastated our poorest residents, and those living in Black and Latino communities. These communities…