Our Blog
Voting Barriers Broken in Illinois
On May 21, 2020, in consideration of the pandemic, the Illinois House approved expanding voting by mail in the November election funded by federal pandemic relief funds, thus tearing down one more barrier to residents exercising their right to vote. If you voted in the past two years or if you were registered to vote in the 2020 primary, you’ll automatically receive a vote-by-mail application. If not, you need only request one…
Shelter’s Work Recognized
Earning accreditation is one of the ways in which Shelter chooses to ensure the highest standards and best practices for those we serve and deliver full transparency of our fiscal management and results-oriented outcomes.
Shelter Tackles Hard Issues
Shelter has joined 51 other child welfare agencies in Illinois to form the Child Welfare Coalition under the umbrella of the Illinois Collaboration on Youth, and address diversity and equity in the system. This comes at a time when Governor Pritzker’s Cabinet and the Illinois General Assembly are focusing on racial equity at many levels as never before.a
What’s Happening Behind Closed Doors? Your Help is Needed
Because 62% of child abuse is perpetrated by a member of a child’s own family, since the Illinois stay-at-home order in March, many children are in crisis. Normally, mandated reporters, neighbors, and friends would report suspected abuse, but times aren’t normal, and no one can see behind closed doors. Calls to the DCFS hotline have dropped dramatically, with only the most critical cases being exposed.
Reports of Child Abuse Plummet by 60%
Illinois’ chronically overburdened Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS} report cases of child abuse are down by 60%. For the uninitiated, this may be interpreted as the stay at home lockdown has had a positive effect. In reality, it underscores many youths are in greater danger by being isolated with their families.
News From The Trenches: Emergency Group Homes
Sometimes it takes a crisis to discover the real power of dedication and teamwork. The COVID-19 crisis has shown a spotlight on our two emergency group homes, Jennings Home for Girls and the Boys’ Group Home, revealing what can be accomplished when we all work together…
12 Ways To De-Stress in Stressful Times
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we can’t change that our lives have been altered and that stress and anxiety are rapidly becoming the “new normal” for many of us. But we CAN change our attitudes and keep our mental health intact…
Your Gift to 12.66 Million People
If you ever wanted to be a Superhero, now’s your chance. By investing a few minutes of your time, you can give a gift to yourself and over 12 million other people in Illinois simply by completing the 2020 Census. No magic cape, shield, or superpowers are required…
News from the Trenches
Shelter’s Healthy Families abuse prevention program is for first-time parents with multiple challenges whose babies are birth through five. Normally, the program consists of intensive home visitations with goals of enhancing family functioning, promoting healthy child growth and development, and positive parent-child relationships…
