Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser

In this issue: Child Abuse Prevention Month, TLP on the Move, Volunteer Appreciation, 5K Run/Walk 4 Kidz, Spring Clothing Drive, Upcoming Events, New Shelter Staff, Jobs at Shelter

In Remembrance 

What have we learned in the last three years? 

Today marks the third anniversary of six-year-old AJ Freund’s death from child abuse. Though most of us remember his name, there have been so many others since, including six-year-old Damari Perry and infants Ameer and Johntavis Newell. Have we learned anything since then?

The average number of children who die from abuse or neglect in the U.S. fluctuates between 4 and 5 per day. Illinois has the fourth-highest record of deaths in the country only behind Texas, California, and New York. Does that mean we haven’t learned anything?

No. While we still have a long way to go, together, we’re working to end abuse every day, and abuse CAN be prevented. Some of the things we have learned:

• Education is the best defense against child maltreatment; knowing the causes, knowing the symptoms; what part each of us can play to stop it
• We’ve identified flaws in our child welfare system, and Shelter has been leading advocacy for making systemic changes
• Our collective consciousness has been raised about the epidemic of child maltreatment in many forms including human trafficking that occurs in all communities
• Clinical programs, like Shelter's, have been expanded to help kids heal from trauma and adults break the cycle of abuse
• Most perpetrators of child abuse and neglect are family members
• The more we work together, the more success we have
• Child abuse affects us all where we live, where we work, and all parts of our community
• While there is no way to know how many lives have been saved, we do know, with your help, Shelter reduces abuse every day and improves the quality of life for kids, families, and our community

For more information on how you can help prevent child abuse, visit shelter-inc.org.

Every child deserves to live in a safe and loving household; yet, for hundreds of thousands of children across our Nation, abuse and neglect are a tragic reality. During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, our country stands as one to condemn and combat child abuse in all of its forms — including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as online sexual exploitation; we raise awareness about the risk factors that can lead to child abuse and neglect; and we highlight the importance of supporting families to prevent child maltreatment. As a Nation, we must work together to prevent and address child abuse and ensure that every child can grow up in a safe environment and live a happy, prosperous life.

Thank you to the following mayors for proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, bringing awareness of child abuse to the community, and helping to realize the vision we share of all children growing up in safe, stable, and loving homes.

Glenview  Mayor Michael Jenny, Elk Grove Mayor Craig Johnson, Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz, Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly, Hanover Park Mayor Rodney S. Craig,
Mt. Prospect Mayor Paul Hoefert

The TLP is on the Move!
Volunteers Turn Our House into a Home

We are so excited to move into our new Transitional Living Program home this month! The purchase and renovation of a new home for our TLP were not without its challenges, and it has been inspiring to see the community rally around us and the youth we serve.

Over the past few months, volunteers have been ripping out old carpeting, putting fresh paint on the walls, shopping for and purchasing furniture, stocking cabinets with essential items, hauling away trash, and helping to make the TLP a welcoming home for our young people.

We are so grateful to the Heidner Family who generously furnished our TLP with new furniture, accessories, kitchen essentials, bath items, and more.

Our sincerest thanks to Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes and members of the Village Board of Trustees for their support of Shelter and our mission.

Because of the commitment, compassion, and dedication of our advocates and volunteers, Shelter now has a safer, more modern TLP home with room to grow!

Pictured below: Volunteer groups from Sewa International, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, and Southminster Presbyterian Church

In a difficult year, you showed us that little can stand in the way of those who want to help! To our dedicated volunteers who sorted donations, hung up flyers, dropped off food, put together pinwheels, painted walls, ripped up carpeting, entered data, worked on our website, and helped at our special events... a huge THANK YOU! Your time, talent, and expertise is valued and appreciated! We can't do what we do without YOU!

The Village of Arlington Heights for the block grant which benefited our new TLP

Superior Labor Solutions

The Canning Family Foundation

Christina Gaytan is Shelter's new Foster Care Director. Christina has her MSW from Dominican University, recently obtained her LCSW, and has many years of experience in child welfare with foster care and intact family services.

C’Erra Postlewaite-Mack joined our Foster Care team as Assistant Supervisor. C’Erra brings years of foster care/youth experience from her work at Our Children’s Homestead and ChildServ. 

Allie Batcho is Shelter's new TLP Coordinator. She brings years of experience in residential care at Allendale. We are excited for the enthusiasm and experience she brings to Shelter.

Chloe Nabors joined the Shelter, Inc. team as an Assistant Coordinator in the Emergency Group Homes. Chloe brings experience working in residential care at Children’s Home + Aid.

If you share our vision that all children grow up in safe and nurturing homes, please support us today. 

Did a colleague forward you this newsletter? To subscribe, click here.