Dear Family Friends,

While Fall represents change and is a season of reflection, resilience, and renewed commitment, we’re holding close what has never changed at Family Focus: Family comes first. Always. Our commitment doesn't waver based on headlines or political shifts, it anchors us, especially during uncertain times.

Right now, the federal government shutdown is creating deep concern across our communities. While we do not anticipate immediate disruptions to our ability to serve families, the effects on our participants are already being felt. Lifelines that ensure food security, employment, and stability grow more vulnerable each day

Compounding this, we are hearing daily from parents who are fearful, many hesitant to even visit the grocery store or travel through their neighborhoods due to the heightened presence of ICE.

Through it all, Family Focus remains steadfast. Our teams are adapting in real-time, offering virtual visits, resource navigation, and continued care across all our centers. We’re showing up with compassion and courage - just as we always have.

Thank you for standing with us. Your support allows us to remain responsive, rooted in trust, and ready to serve- no matter what challenges arise.

With gratitude and solidarity,

Nominated by Congressman Danny Davis, Family Focus was selected as a 2025 Angels in Adoption® Honoree, a national recognition presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), this award honors our unwavering commitment to supporting kinship families, adoptive caregivers, and child well-being in the communities we serve.

From our doula programs to youth development, our work is rooted in creating strong, stable family foundations, and this recognition is a celebration of that mission in action.

“Standing among so many inspiring advocates in our nation’s capital reminded me just how vital our work is, and it was an incredible honor to accept the Angels in Adoption Award on behalf of Family Focus. This recognition is not just for our organization, it’s for every child and family we serve.” - Erin Walton, Senior Vice President of External Relations

Family Focus was invited to speak during the Cook County Board of Commissioners Health & Hospitals Committee Maternal Health Hearing, hosted by Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller. Our CEO Dara Cohen, Family Focus Doula - Latoyia McBride, two powerful voices from our Doula Program, as well as Dr. William McDade stood center stage to spotlight the urgent need for investment in maternal health equity.

Elondre Lay, Family Focus Fatherhood Outreach Worker, reflected on his own journey:

“This wasn’t just her journey, it was ours. Having a doula in the room didn’t just help my partner, it helped me. I wasn’t just on the sidelines. I was part of the team.”

This moment wasn’t just symbolic- it was strategic. And our voices were heard.

Real stories. Real impact. Real change.

We are deeply proud to have received an official City of Cicero Resolution in honor of our 175 years of service. The resolution recognizes Family Focus’ long-standing commitment to family support in immigrant and bilingual communities.

Our sincere appreciation to the City of Cicero for acknowledging our past, and partnering with us in to ensure a bright future ahead.

Advocacy in Action: Elevating Community Voices

This legislative season, Family Focus showed up with purpose and people power. Combined with strong support from our staff, youth, and community coalitions, we successfully helped advance two key legislative WINS!

(click each for more details)

1. Safe Schools for All
2. Living Wages, Thriving Communities Resolution

Also, Nearly 100 Family Focus staff and participants engaged in advocacy activities this spring, including:

• 100+ handwritten letters to legislators from our afterschool youth
• Direct meetings with elected officials
• Workshops and rallies focused on equity in education and community investment

These efforts are laying the groundwork for our next round of policy priorities centered on what our families and communities say they need most.

Upcoming Event:

Know Your Rights (Spanish Language)

The Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, in partnership with local community organizations, is hosting a virtual Know Your Rights (KYR) event:

🗓 Tuesday, October 7th

🕕 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

🌐 Held in Spanish / Open to all community members

Chicago Committee on Immigrant & Refugee Rights Info

Bi-weekly KYR Trainings – TRP Immigrant Justice

You can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families for generations to come. 

A planned gift to Family Focus is a meaningful way to support our mission beyond your lifetime. Your legacy will help ensure the communities we serve continue to receive the support, education, and resources they need to build social capital and economic growth – ultimately changing not only the lives of their families but positively impacting the communities within which they live.   

What is Planned Giving? 

Planned giving is the process of making a charitable gift through your estate or financial plans. It can be as simple as naming Family Focus in your will or as strategic as setting up a charitable trust. 

Ways to Give:

• Bequests 
• Include Family Focus in your will or living trust with a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate. 
• Beneficiary Designations 
• Name Family Focus as a beneficiary of your retirement account, life insurance policy, or donor-advised fund. 
• Charitable Trusts & Gift Annuities 
• Explore options that provide you or your loved ones with income while benefiting Family Focus in the future. 
• Gifts of Stock 
• Make a gift of appreciated assets to maximize your impact and potential tax savings. 

The Irving Harris Legacy Circle honors and recognizes donors who have included Family Focus in their estate or financial plans.  

Let’s Talk. 

We’d love to hear your story and help you explore the legacy you want to leave. For a confidential conversation about planned giving options, please contact: Amy O’Keeffe at amy.okeeffe@family-focus.org  

Help us make our upcoming Harvest Festival even more magical for the children and families we serve! We’re collecting small handheld and medium-sized pumpkins to spark creativity and delight during a special art activity with our little learners.

Whether it’s a tiny pumpkin perfect for little hands to paint or a medium-sized one just right for decorating, your donation will bring joy, color, and smiles to our centers this season.

Pumpkin donation drop-offs accepted now through October 22nd.

We welcome deliveries to the following locations:

Family Focus Loop Office

901 S. Van Buren Suite 400

Chicago, IL 60610

Family Focus Hyde Park

5467 S. University Ave.

Chicago, IL. 60615

Family Focus South Shore

7037 S. Stony Island Ave

Chicago, IL 60649

Let’s make this Harvest Festival one to remember.

Thank You for helping us nurture imagination, one pumpkin at a time!

This is What Support Looks Like!

From doulas to afterschool mentors, we’re showing the real faces behind our impact.

We’re gearing up for our biggest giving season yet, and we’re telling powerful, real-life stories across our social media and email channels. 

“Behind every home visit, every child thriving, every family stabilized, there’s someone like you who made it possible.”

Our annual appeal is underway! From now through December 31st, we invite you to be part of something impactful. Keep an eye on your inbox and mailbox, and follow us @FamilyFocus on social to join the movement.

There’s no need to wait, gifts made today will have an immediate and meaningful impact on the families we serve.