Connections, February 2020

“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” – Margaret J. Wheatly

I am so excited to share with you the first installment of our digital newsletter, Connections! As we mark our 45th anniversary, we have taken a hard look at where we are, where we have been, and where we want to go. What remains constant is that it was our community who created Shelter, and who sustains us for today and tomorrow.

We want to keep you connected to the issues that affect our community and the ways we are working to bring an end to child abuse – together.

Because of your belief in our mission and the gifts of your time, talents and generosity, Shelter is succeeding in improving the lives of our children and helping families become stronger. Because of you, our doors are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for ALL children, birth – 24, regardless of color, race, religion, place of birth or sexual orientation, rich or poor. When we are connected, we can transform problems into solutions. We can make our community better.

I hope that you are inspired and motivated by Connections. YOU are what make all of this possible. Thank you!

Together in service,

Carina H. Santa Maria, Executive Director

Public schools report more than 1.5 million homeless children and youth in the 2017-2018 school year.

A report released this month by the National Center for Homeless Education found that the number of public school students who experienced homelessness at some point in the past three school years increased by 15 percent. Seeing the increased need for resources in our community, Shelter, Inc. partnered with the Kenneth Young Center to secure funding and work with youth at risk of becoming homeless. As a result, this past November, we hired Nina Alhaj as our new Case Manager for Youth Experiencing Homelessness. Nina will work with our community partners to identify youth at risk of becoming homeless and provide resources to assist in providing housing stability. She will meet weekly with her clients to provide physical and mental health resources, financial education and assistance, and linkages to employment and legal services. The need for these resources is so great that, after less than one week on the job, Nina already had two youth on her caseload.

Community Advocates Address Human Trafficking

More than 50 people attended Shelter's Human Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSE) seminar presented by our Executive Director, Carina H. Santa Maria, MSW, LCSW, at the Arlington Heights Public Library on January 27. Professionals from local law enforcement, social service agencies, government, healthcare organizations and schools came together to learn about who is most at risk for human trafficking and CSE and how we can help children through a client-centered informed approach. Small groups worked together to analyze case studies and address questions about the role poverty, racism, sexism and homophobia play. State Representative Mark Walker attended the event alongside concerned local citizens and professionals from Salvation Army, Second Bridge, Catholic Charities, Evanston Township High School, Palatine Police Department, and other local organizations. Only by working together can we end human trafficking and CSE.