Voices of Impact: The Carole Robertson Center’s FY23 Annual Report

Hear firsthand from children, youth, families, staff, providers, supporters, and advocates about the Carole Robertson Center's community impact in Voices of Impact, our annual report for Fiscal Year 2023. Full of poignant testimonials and vital statistics, this year’s report highlights the many ways we educate, enrich, and empower our communities.

Center Celebrates Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week

In June, we hosted a week of revitalizing activities to express our gratitude to the 300+ staff who bring the Carole Robertson Center’s mission to life. Employees enjoyed sweet treats, bingo, fun prizes, mental health resources, and more! Both during Teacher & Staff Appreciation and year-round, we prioritize and advocate for the well-being of our workforce.

Summer Camp Kickoff

Play is an important building block to a healthy childhood, and we did plenty of that at our OST Summer Kickoff! Youth from all three flagship sites enjoyed a fun-filled day at Douglass Park, mastering challenges like Rubik's cubes and cup stacking, playing sports, and bonding outdoors with friends and teachers.

Juneteenth

To celebrate Juneteenth, Social Justice & Equity Committee Co-Chair and Kindergarten Readiness Community Liaison Candice Washington empowered students in our Out of School Time (OST) program by sharing various ways to honor the day. She discussed attending community events, learning about Black history, supporting Black-owned businesses, and reflecting on the importance of freedom and equality.  

Staff at the Carole Robertson Center also continued to celebrate the true meaning of this historic day at the Juneteenth Village Fest hosted in Douglass Park.

Northeastern Illinois University Memorandum Signing 

Members of the Center’s leadership team attended a celebration to commemorate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Center and NEIU. The MOU opens pathways for NEIU students and graduates to find internship and career placements at the Center and facilitate the educational attainment of the Center’s teachers and staff. Many thanks to 39th Ward Alderman Samantha Nugent for her foresight in connecting our institutions and thank you to NEIU President Katrina Bell-Jordan, as well as members of her leadership team.

Marcomm wins International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Award  

The Carole Robertson Center for Learning's Marketing and Communications team won the International Association of Business Communicators’ 2024 Gold Quill Award of Merit in Digital Communication for our Intranet. With entries from around the globe, the Gold Quill Awards recognize excellence in strategic communications. Our Intranet—the Center's first-ever submission—is a central hub for employees to stay updated on Center news and celebrate each other's work.

Bela speaks on Fed Listens Panel about Child Care Costs 

Earlier this month, Carole Robertson Center President & CEO Bela Moté joined a Fed Listens panel alongside leaders from Michigan Tri-Share, Child Care Resource & Referral of Northwest Iowa, and IFF, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Panelists discussed the crucial role of childcare and overcoming challenges faced by parents and employers. During the talk, Bela shared a strong call to action for early ed champions across sectors to collaborate: "I think there were very few silver linings from COVID, but one that stands out to me is this idea of the intersections between the nonprofit, government, and private sectors ... I charge you [in this room] to think about how we sustain and build [a robust early childhood sector]."

 Operation: Back to School Needs YOU

The Carole Robertson Center for Learning's annual back-to-school supply drive aims to provide more than 500 students in our programs with high-quality essentials to start the school year strong. And this year, thanks to a generous donor, the next $10,000 we raise will be matched, doubling your impact! Visit our website to learn about all the ways you can get involved in Operation: Back to School.

A Night of Impact

On May 16 at Venue West, nearly 300 supporters gathered to champion Chicago’s young learners. The evening featured diverse speakers and honorees, including keynotes Jonathan Eig, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of King: A Life, and Brandis Friedman, anchor of WTTW’s Chicago Tonight. Thank you to all our donors and sponsors for helping us surpass our fundraising goal for the evening and enabling more investments in accessible, high-quality learning environments for Chicago children and families.

Season of Service: Volunteers Give Back to the Carole Robertson Center

Earlier this month, volunteers from Ferrara, CME Group, and Midwest Partnerships brought joy to Chicago’s young learners. Ferrara volunteers celebrated a Day of Service with singing, dancing, and outdoor activities at the Little Village Flagship Site. CME Group volunteers organized a dynamic Summer STEM Fair where students enjoyed activities like slime-making and tower-building. Additionally, Midwest Partnerships volunteers packed 39 backpacks with Back-To-School essentials for Pre-K graduates at the Center. Thank you to all volunteers whose dedication and support continues to strengthen our children and families.

Interested in volunteering with your team or company? Reach out to Associate Director of Development Cristina Carreto at ccarreto@carolerobertsoncenter.org.