Chicago Commons

Thank you to our Robinson sponsors Associated Bank, CIBC, ICL, LLC and Daniel & Sarah Chavez for supporting the 2025 Spring Luncheon & Marketplace! Your generosity helps us empower families, uplift communities, and create brighter futures. Join us for Chicago Commons 2025 Spring Luncheon & Marketplace on Friday, May 9, at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago, featuring keynote speaker. @SoniaMManzano creator of "Alma's Way" and beloved for her role as “Maria” on Sesame Street. Don’t miss this inspiring event with a moderated Q&A, book signing, and a vibrant Marketplace showcasing over 20 parent entrepreneurs from our Family Hub program. Tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/4hufKGZ. #ChicagoCommons #2025SpringLuncheon #ThrivingAcrossGenerations #CommunityImpact

🚨 Join us for an important conversation about the future of nonprofit impact! On April 24, Chicago Commons CEO, Edgar Ramirez, will take part in a panel discussion following the screening of Uncharitable at Steppenwolf Theatre Company —hosted by Evolve Giving Group in partnership with the The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management. Inspired by and featuring Dan Pallotta, whose record-breaking TED Talk on this topic has inspired leading philanthropists and changemakers, Uncharitable exposes the dark side of philanthropy and introduces a new way of giving. This powerful documentary challenges outdated beliefs about nonprofit overhead and fundraising—issues that directly affect how organizations like Chicago Commons drive meaningful, lasting change. We’re honored to discuss these critical topics alongside Dorri McWhorter and Michelle Morales, two visionary leaders shaping the future of philanthropy. Special thanks to Jamie Klobuchar and Evolve Giving for this opportunity. 🎬 Don’t miss this opportunity to rethink how we support nonprofits! 📅 April 24, 2025 📍 Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago ⏰ Doors Open: 12:45 PM | Screening: 1:30 PM | Panel: 3:00 PM 🎟 Register here: https://bit.ly/3RBN1oi #ChicagoCommons #Uncharitable #NonprofitLeadership #Fundraising #ChicagoEvents #Changemakers

🗣️ Your voice matters! Help us advocate for children and families by contacting your legislators today. Let them know that Head Start makes a difference and deserves their support. 📲 Take action now: https://bit.ly/4jzDOcb #ChicagoCommons #EarlyHeadStart #HeadStart #EarlyEducationMatters #AdvocateForKids #TakeAction

Lunch & Learn: Understanding Our Federal Government Ever wonder how a bill becomes a law or what the IRS really does beyond tax season? Join us for a Lunch & Learn Series where we’ll break down key federal departments and how they impact our daily lives. Ever wonder how a bill becomes a law or what the IRS really does beyond tax season? Join us for a Lunch & Learn Series where we’ll break down key federal departments and how they impact our daily lives. What You’ll Learn: 📌What each department does 📌How many staff and programs are involved 📌How it connects to state programs Upcoming Sessions: 🗓️Feb 20 – How does a Bill Become a Law? 🗓️Mar 6 – What does the Department of Education Do? 🗓️Mar 20 – What does the IRS Do? 🗓️Apr 3 – What does the Department of Aging Do? 🗓️Apr 17 – What does Health & Human Services Do? 🗓️May 1 – What does the Administration for Children & Families Do? Join Us! 🗓️When: Every other Thursday, 12:00 – 1:00 PM 📍Where: Zoom 👉Bring your lunch and curiosity—let’s learn together! RSVP to Valerie Redmond at redmondv@chicagocommons.org #ChicagoCommons #Lunch&Learn #FamilyHub

Join us for a safe and welcoming space to connect, share, and find support. Winter / Spring Schedule (Virtual on Teams | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM): 📅 Friday, December 20, 2024 📅 Friday, January 17, 2025 📅 Friday, February 21, 2025 📅 Friday, March 21, 2025 📅 Friday, April 18, 2025 📅 Friday, May 16, 2025 One-time registration covers all dates! 👉 Register here: https://bit.ly/41waBcA For questions or assistance, call us at (708) 943-7689 or email caregiversupport@chicagocommons.org. Learn more: www.chicagocommons.org #ChicagoCommons #DFSS #Caregiver #CaregiverSupport

Join us on Friday, May 9, at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago for the Chicago Commons 2025 Spring Luncheon & Marketplace! We are thrilled that our keynote speaker will be the legendary Sonia Manzano—best known as “Maria” from Sesame Street and the creator of Alma's Way. With 44 seasons on Sesame Street, 15 Emmy wins, and a Lifetime Achievement Daytime Emmy, Sonia has been a trailblazer in children's media. Her keynote will explore the impact of children's television, with a focus on representation. Get a glimpse of Sonia's inspiring journey in this video: https://lnkd.in/gjDhZYNX Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a true icon and advocate for children's education and representation. Tickets at : https://lnkd.in/gwSamEnp #ChicagoCommons #2025springluncheon #SoniaManzano #SesameStreet #AlmasWay #earlychildhoodeducation #ThrivingAcrossGenerations #charityevent

The Guiracocha-Pérez family’s experience with Chicago Commons’ Taylor Center for New Experiences was transformative for their son, Emanuel. Initially hesitant to enroll him during the challenges of the pandemic, they quickly realized it was the right decision after visiting. Emanuel had struggled at his previous daycare, but from his first day at Chicago Commons, he was eager to attend, excited to see his friends, and ready to learn. "The process was so quick and easy," his mother shared. "The staff made us feel welcomed and supported from the very beginning." Emanuel thrived in the nurturing environment, gaining confidence and mastering skills like writing, drawing, and using scissors—things he had been too afraid to try before. The family was especially grateful for the support Emanuel received in speech therapy, which helped improve his communication and social engagement. "Every day, Emanuel came home excited to show us what he learned," his father said. "We couldn’t be more grateful." By the time he left Chicago Commons, Emanuel was well-prepared for kindergarten, and the family wholeheartedly recommends the program to other parents. As Chicago's second-largest early childhood education provider, we operate four centers integrating using the Reggio Emilia philosophy. In 1993, Chicago Commons embraced the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, revolutionizing our teaching methods! This child-centered philosophy nurtures creativity, curiosity, and collaboration, empowering our youngest learners to explore the world with confidence and joy. Visit https://bit.ly/4eREZCl to learn more and enroll. #ChicagoCommons #EarlyEducation #HeadStart #EarlyHeadStart #Preschool #HumboldtPark #TaylorCenterforNewExperiences #EarlyChildhoodEducation

We are excited to continue our Market Vendor Series, which will highlight each of the incredible vendors who participated in this year's Chicago Commons Market. Get to know the unique products made by our Chicago Commons families, who are small business vendors. The Chicago Commons Market, hosted by our Family Hub program, showcases the power of collaboration and community. This annual event brings together a diverse group of parent vendors, highlighting their talents and entrepreneurial spirit. Our participants enroll in a Small Business Development series prior to the Market, preparing our vendors with the skills and tips necessary for their success. Today, we're excited to feature Limes Smiles For Miles Inc.! Limes Smiles for Miles Inc. mission is to provide safe early intervention childcare services to low-income families with children ages 3 to 5 diagnosed with Autism/ spectrum, and Down syndrome. To learn more about Family Hub, visit https://bit.ly/3XZTez0 #ChicagoCommons #FamilyHub #ChicagoCommonsMarket

Join us for a safe and welcoming space to connect, share, and find support. Winter / Spring Schedule (Virtual on Teams | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM): 📅 Friday, December 20, 2024 📅 Friday, January 17, 2025 📅 Friday, February 21, 2025 📅 Friday, March 21, 2025 📅 Friday, April 18, 2025 📅 Friday, May 16, 2025 One-time registration covers all dates! 👉 Register here: https://bit.ly/41waBcA For questions or assistance, call us at (708) 943-7689 or email caregiversupport@chicagocommons.org. Learn more: www.chicagocommons.org #ChicagoCommons #DFSS #Caregiver #CaregiverSupport

📍This week, Chicago Commons President & CEO Edgar Ramirez and Chief External Affairs Officer Julio Paz traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with members of the Illinois Delegation. During their visit, they discussed current issues facing Head Start programs, shared the powerful stories of success from our children, families, and communities, and highlighted the critical role of early childhood educators and family workers who make this impact possible. We are deeply grateful to the following leaders and their staff for taking the time to meet with us and for their continued commitment to the communities we serve: Senator Richard Durbin Senator Tammy Duckworth Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-7) Congressman Jonathan Jackson (IL-1) Congresswoman Delia Catalina Ramirez (IL-3) Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-4) Thank you for your leadership and steadfast support of Head Start and the families who depend on it. Together, we’re building a stronger future for all. 💪🏽 👶🏽📚 #HeadStartWorks #EarlyChildhoodEducation #AdvocacyInAction #ChicagoCommons #ILDelegation