Category news

Register Now for Colors of Love Workshop

Registration is open for the Colors of Love: Raising Children in a Racially Unjust World training event coming up on Saturday, August 25, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at First UMC in Elmhurst, Illinois. Register by August 22nd at the link below. The $25 fee includes lunch.

UVC Announces Annual Awards

United Voices for Children has announced the recipients of its 2018 annual awards for outstanding advocacy and service for children and youth in Northern Illinois.  The Bishop Jesse R. Dewitt Award will be given to Deacon Wes Dorr of United Church of Rogers Park (Chicago). The Katherine B. Greene Child Worker Award goes to two recipients: Karen Klaus of First UMC Crystal Lake; and to Chana UMC. The Rev. Margaret Ann Williams Service Award will be given to Licia Knight of St. Mark UMC (Chicago).

Fr. James Swarthout to Speak at Annual Breakfast

The Rev. James E. Swarthout will be the featured speaker at the United Voices for Children’s Annual Breakfast on Tuesday, June 5th, 2018.  Fr. Jim is Director of Clergy and Alumni Relations for Rosecrance Health Network. At the Breakfast Fr. Jim will speak on “’The Art of Possibility.”

UVC Receives Culbertson Bequest

The United Voices for Children (UVC) Board of Directors is both grateful and pleased to announce receipt of a financial bequest from the Estate of Nancy Culbertson.  Nancy Ruth Culbertson of Melrose Park, Illinois passed away February 18, 2016 at the age of 71.  

Skin in the Game Workshop

Congregations in Northern Illinois are invited to participate in an important growth and training opportunity, Skin in the Game: Equipping Congregations to Challenge Racism. This half-day workshop on August 19 will provide practical guidance and resources for clergy, lay leaders and Christian Educators to address one of the most troublesome issues in our churches.

UVC Announces Annual Awards

United Voices for Children has announced the recipients of its 2017 Bishop Jesse R. Dewitt Award. Lorena Cory of First U.M. Church Arlington Heights is being honored for founding and facilitating Pinwheels, a support group for families with gender-creative children. The Rev. Dr. William Lenters, retired Northern Illinois clergyman, is recognized for his 19 years of service as chaplain at Rosecrance.

Rev. Dr. Virginia Lee to Speak at Annual Breakfast

The Rev. Dr. Virginia Lee will be the featured speaker at the United Voices for Children’s Annual Breakfast on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. Dr. Lee is Associate Professor of Christian Education and Director of Deacon Studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. The UVC Annual Breakfast will be held at 6:45 a.m. at the Pheasant Run Resort, in St. Charles, Illinois, during the session of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference.

A Provocative Conversation on Violence

A conversation, "Violence: A Faithful Response to the Plague in Our Neighborhoods and in Our Nation," with Thomas Dart, Willie Jennings, Otis Moss III, and Michael Pfleger and moderated by Robin Robinson will happen at First UMC Chicago on Monday, April 3, from 5:30-7:30PM. Sponsored by Yale Divinity School, this event will feature a timely dialogue between civic, academic, theological, and religious leaders confronting violence in our communities.

January 25 Workshop on Preventing Childhood Trauma

A coalition of Chicago area religious groups and social service agencies are presenting a workshop, "Claiming the Healing Wisdom of our Traditions: Shaping a Faith-Rooted Movement to Foster Resilience and Prevent Childhood Trauma" on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. James Commons.

Illinois Voices for Kids Summit on November 18

Now in its 30th year fighting as an independent advocate for children and families, Voices for Illinois Children is hosting "Removing Barriers, Building Opportunities: A Summit on Children & Families." This Summit will be on Friday, November 18th from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Marriott Magnificent Mile in Chicago.