C.I.T.Y. News

The pandemic has not stopped us at all! Sure, in-person events have been cancelled for the time being, but since so many of our programs and initiatives are online, we have been busy!

We have LOTS to share, but we know reading through long newsletters isn't always possible. We only put the most relevant information in our newsletters, compiling them with our hectic schedules in mind. This June Edition contains just 6 newsworthy resources, all with direct links to click for more information as desired. We strongly encourage you to scroll through these updates to learn about our latest events and initiatives...we're sure you'll find something that catches your interest!

Read, get inspired, and participate!

As a reminder, all of our events are also listed on our Google Calendar and on the

C.I.T.Y. of Events tab on our website.

Join us for our very first Live, Virtual Graduation Celebration! The format will be different from last year, but the excitement, joy, and pride will be shared by all. You and your child deserve this recognition and opportunity to celebrate! (Every child is graduating from something!!)

All our Family Celebration Kits have been mailed out at this time, but registration is still open through our eventbrite listing! We have planned several short, fun, and interactive ceremonies with interactive games, crafts, snacks, and special guests...all at NO COST to you! We will be emailing details to the participants several days before the event with a loose schedule, login information, and a list of materials we recommend having on-hand. We hope to be able to recognize YOUR child's accomplishments. Reserve your spot today!

Our next Virtual Happy Hour was scheduled based on YOUR feedback (thank you!). Join us on Friday, June 12th at 8:00 pm. No topic, no discussion planned...just a format for decompressing from STRESSFUL times among friends who understand. Tag some parents/professionals/friends to join us...all are welcome! The zoom link can be found on our Google Calendar or in the Facebook Event details.

Values In Perspective: C.I.T.Y.'s newest initiative where PARENTS will mentor PROFESSIONALS. Our Education Committee has been hard at work developing this new program that will emphasize the importance of family-centered care from the perspective of parents and provide professionals with tools for implementing these principles based on best practice guidelines. This comprehensive program seeks to provide professionals with a well-rounded learning experience that acknowledges their busy schedules using a combination of self-study modalities (webinars, interactive reflections), in-person mentorship opportunities, and teleconferencing.

We are currently DEVELOPING this program, and our next step is to recruit a diverse group of parents to share their Early Intervention experiences via a teleconferencing (zoom) platform. Footage recorded from these natural, honest guided conversations will help shape our learning objectives as well as contribute to the education of many professionals in the field. A small stipend will be provided for participation in these two, 2-hour sessions.

Are you a parent who matches this description?

Do you know a parent who might be interested?

We hope to move forward with scheduling these sessions in the next few weeks, so please email us if you are interested: hello@cityofsupport.org.

With Father's Day approaching, we want to draw attention to the amazing dads that are a part of our C.I.T.Y. In a community that shares so many unique experiences, recommendations, successes, challenges, and words of wisdom, how have YOU been personally touched?

• Did you feel understood by another parent/professional in our group?
• Has your spouse gained a deeper connection to the community?
• Were you the recipient of a donated item/piece of equipment?
• Did you find a professional/therapist based upon another's referral?
• Has another dad inspired you to change your perspective?
• Have you seen/felt the power of community support first-hand?

We think that Father's Day (and the entire month of June) is the perfect time to recognize these connections with small acts of gratitude. We created some fun and easy ways to "pay it forward" and acknowledge other dads in our group, whether we know them personally (or not!). Plus, you'll also be supporting small, local businesses, and in turn, our C.I.T.Y of Support.

Visit our website for all the details: https://cityofsupport.org/c-i-t-y-of-dads

In order to meet the needs of our growing community, we are creating a new sub-committee of "Local Leaders" in different regions around the city. These volunteers will meet virtually several times during the year and be featured on our website as the local contact for members in their area. Specifically, they will help:

• Distribute C.I.T.Y. of Support information to local pediatricians, therapy clinics, hospitals, relevant businesses, and community partners
• Serve as a contact person for local outreach inquiries/resources/opportunities
• Facilitate the expansion of established programs such as our Great Therapy Playdates, helping to identify potential hosts (4x/year)
• Potentially create new events based on the local community's interest/availability including community-building/social events (virtual happy hours, coffee/wine nights, craft nights), education/outreach events (at local clinics/libraries), and/or awareness/fundraising campaigns (assembling literature displays/Welcome to our C.I.T.Y. bags)

Parents and professionals are all encouraged to help.

Please email hello@cityofsupport.org to express your interest and learn more!

These shelter-in-place D.I.Y. Card Kits were created as a way to entertain your child, spread joy, and give back to C.I.T.Y. of Support. (100% of proceeds go directly back to our organization.) These and other designs are available with no-contact online ordering and delivery right through our website: https://cityofsupport.org/d-i-y-in-the-c-i-t-y

Want to have your business/practice/clinic/organization featured in one of newsletters?

Contact us at: hello@cityofsupport.org to inquire about our limited number of advertisements and sponsorships available each month.

Our mission is to create a dynamic community, both online and in person, that supports all families navigating the needs of their child in therapy, regardless of diagnosis.

Email: hello@cityofsupport.org
Website: www.cityofsupport.org
Location: 733 Hastings Drive, Buffalo Grove, IL, USA
Phone: (224) 409-7150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cityofsupport/
Twitter: @cityofsupport