C.I.T.Y. News

During the past month, our organization has been hard at work developing programs, moving forward with our initiatives, and creating connections in the community. April is just bursting with excitement, and we welcome you to participate in it all! When you read through this newsletter, we hope you’ll add events to your calendars, contribute to our bi-annual fundraising campaign, and sign up for different volunteer initiatives.

This organization is run completely by our devoted parent, professional, and community volunteers. This past month, we have not only welcomed member participation, but we have also encouraged the development of leaders within our organization. Everywhere I go, people seem to connect with the mission of C.I.T.Y. of Support, and there is no limit to what we might be able to accomplish when we collaborate.

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.

FRIDAY NIGHT, APRIL 12TH FROM 7:30-10:30

The Arlington Heights Junior Women’s Club has chosen OUR organization to be the beneficiary of their annual spring fundraiser (which is known for raising a significant amount of funds!). We are humbled by their generous gesture, and we would love to have members of C.I.T.Y. of Support at the event to show our appreciation, so mark your calendars!

Their invitation says: “Join us in the Exclusive Cellar Room at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant for an evening of great wines and giving! Enjoy a variety of unlimited selected wines and appetizers while helping raise money for C.I.T.Y. of Support! Tickets can be purchased at www.ahjwc.org or at the door.”

SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL 14TH FROM 10:00-11:00

On a quarterly basis, C.I.T.Y. of Support sponsors "Great Therapy Playdates" at therapy clinics across the various regions of Chicago. These coordinated, open-house style playdates are held at the same day and time among different locations, which rotate based on availability and interest. Children in therapy and their siblings can play in the fun, inclusive space and parents can mingle, all while exploring valuable clinical resources in the community.

For our next Great Therapy Playdate on Sunday, April 14th from 10:00-11:00 am, we have clinics in FOUR regions who have offered to host:

City of Chicago: Kids on the Grow - 2157 N Damen Ave #2C, Chicago, IL 60647
Northwest Suburbs: Arlington Pediatric Therapy - 3105 N Wilke Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004

North Suburbs: CCS Pediatric Therapy & Family Wellness - 10 W. Phillip Road, Suite 103, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
West Suburbs: Positive Behavioral Connections - 2323 Naperville Rd #265, Naperville, IL 60563

Registration is required as space is limited (and filling up fast!).

Use our eventbrite link to reserve your spot today!

NORTHWEST SUBURBS: ARLINGTON HEIGHTS MEMORIAL LIBRARY:

As always, we are meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of the month (4/9) for our “Developmental Playgroup.” We are also continuing to offer a more adult-focused group called “Caregivers, Coffee, and Play” on the 4th Sunday of the month (4/28). Come join us and meet other families in the neighborhood.

SOUTH SUBURBS: SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH at 9:30AM:

Facilitated by Jennifer Blaszyck, a parent and C.I.T.Y. member, on the last Saturday of every month at the Little Somthething Extra Bakery and Cafe in Oak Lawn.

**OTHER REGIONS**

We are continuing to research other neighborhood options in the North, West, and City locations that will help to accommodate more families. We are especially interested in partnering with other local libraries in those areas. If you are interested in helping to facilitate these types of events near you, please feel free to contact us at hello@cityofsupport.org. Thank you!

• NEIGHBORHOOD PARENTS NETWORK: DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCES RESOURCE FAIR

SUNDAY, MARCH 31ST FROM 10:00-2:00 AT DEPAUL COLLEGE PREP

• AUTISM SPEAKS WALK

SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL 28TH AT 8:00 AT NEW TRIER HIGH SCHOOL

Please stop by our table and visit us if you are planning on attending these events! We’d love to see some familiar faces!

WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 15TH FROM 5:00-7:00

WE ROCK THE SPECTRUM SENSORY GYM IN PALATINE

C.I.T.Y. of Support is committed to fostering the sharing of knowledge from a variety of perspectives. Our Roundtable Series provides professionals and parents an opportunity to share their experiences in an informative, but casual/friendly environment (snacks provided too). Questions, discussions, and one-on-one conversations will be encouraged towards the end of this adult-only event.

We understand how stressful outings to the grocery store, mall, zoo, park, or family events can be for our families. The goal for this discussion is to provide tips and tricks for a successful outing from a therapist and parent perspective, while also providing special options for families in the area. This event is applicable for both parents and professionals, and Early Intervention continuing education credits are currently pending approval.

Registration is required through our Eventbrite link, although this event is FREE for parents. We hope to live-stream this conversation on Facebook for those who are unable to participate in-person, encouraging virtual participation as well.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 15TH FROM 3:00-6:00

BUEHLER YMCA IN PALATINE

Because every child is graduating from something.

Has your child graduated from one/more of his/her therapy goals? A year in school? A piece of equipment? A discipline of therapy? Let’s celebrate!!

More details will be shared soon, but we wanted to give you advance notice with the hope that you will be able to reserve this afternoon on your summer calendars. Expect a grand celebration for our graduates complete with playtime, photo ops, special experiences, live music, food, and networking. You will NOT want to miss it!

And local businesses/clinics, we will be notifying you shortly via email with ways that you can be involved in this celebration as well...we welcome your collaboration as always! (If you have not already done so, be sure you have added your information to our professional email list, so that you receive this forthcoming information.)

C.I.T.Y. of Support has been overwhelmed by the contributions from local therapy clinics, businesses, and organizations within the community. We are especially grateful to the Arlington Heights Junior Women’s Club who has made our organization the specific beneficiary of their annual spring fundraiser. It is because of the generosity of these different donors and the volunteer efforts of our committee members that we have been able to offer our programs free-of-charge for our C.I.T.Y.

We are thrilled that all the Great Therapy Playdates, Education Roundtables, and special events like our “We Love Our C.I.T.Y.” Valentine’s Day Event have all been at no-cost to the families who have participated. We are committed to making our programs as accessible as possible, hoping to continue offering free events.

At this time, during our bi-annual fundraising campaign, we have a simple request. If you have participated in an event; if you have benefited from the Facebook Group; if you have been connected to new resources; or if you simply enjoy/appreciate the efforts that we are working towards, we ask that you give us a HIGH FIVE. A $5 donation may not seem like much, but if everyone were to give, just imagine the impact we could make together.

In return, we will show our gratitude by sending you one of our D.I.Y. Card Kits! We have a brand new stock of “Happy Birthday” and “Thank You/Thinking of You” cards (just perfect for Teacher’s Appreciation Day!). In fact, if you give us a HIGH FIVE for 6 months (a $30 donation), you will receive one of each new card kit, and if you give us a year’s worth of HIGH FIVES for 12 months (a $60 donation), you will receive one dozen card kits (2 of each card kit!).

Just visit our D.I.Y. In the C.I.T.Y. webpage, and click on the Paypal link on the bottom to make your contribution. Thank you for participating in our Spring High-Five Drive!

C.I.T.Y. of Support is excited to officially announce the opening of an additional position on our Board of Directors. As a non-profit organization serving the community, we THRIVE on collaboration with a variety people and businesses. Our Board of Directors is no different. We are looking to add someone who has unique talents, knowledge, skills, perspectives, and passion to our Board of Directors.

• Do you have new ideas for our C.I.T.Y.?
• Do you understand the needs of our community?
• Do you enjoy collaborating with other families, professionals, and community members?
• Do you have a special interest/skill such as event-planning, marketing, strategic planning, or social media savvy?

We would love to hear from you! Send in an application or nominate someone you know who might fit this description. Can anyone apply? YES! No experience is necessary, as we will help train the right candidate. To view the position's description, please click on our application. Once you are on the application page, go to the "file" tab and download as a Microsoft Word document. You'll be able to edit and save. After you've completed it, email it directly to Casey Beedon at caseybeedon@gmail.com.

The nomination committee will review and present candidates to the Board of Directors at our next board meeting on April 3. All applications are due April 1.

We are looking for handwritten letters from parents who wish to share their experiences of having a child who receives/received therapy services. Looking back, what were your initial reactions? What did you expect? What has your journey been like? What advice can you share? We do not expect you to share your personal identifying information, as we have complete respect for your privacy. We do hope, however, that this heartfelt, handwritten letter will be a source of encouragement, hope, and motivation for the new parents in our community. To contribute your story, please either scan and email letters to: hello@cityofsupport.org or mail them to our office address at:

800 E. Northwest Highway, Suite #109 in Mount Prospect, IL 60056.

Your letter will accompany information about C.I.T.Y. of Support, a small keychain to keep important business cards handy, and a new book to share with their child. For more information regarding our 3 initiatives for 2019, please refer to our website under the tab "C.I.T.Y. of Outreach."

C.I.T.Y. of Support has launched the C.I.T.Y. of Professionals Directory on our website. A listing in this directory is not only a fundraiser for our organization, but it is also great advertising for service providers and easy access for families as consumers. We ALL win here.

Email: hello@cityofsupport.org to learn how to be included in this new resource.

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.

Autism Speaks Walk is the world’s largest autism fundraising event dedicated to improving the lives of people with autism. Powered by the love of families, friends, and supporters, the funds raised help ensure people of all abilities have access to the tools needed to lead “their best lives”. The commitment of individuals like you plays a critical role in raising the funding needed to fuel innovative research and lifelong supports and services. Working together, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Please register and fundraise for an Autism Speaks Walk near you. http://act.autismspeaks.org/walk

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.

Email: hello@cityofsupport.org
Website: www.cityofsupport.org
Location: 800 East Northwest Highway, Suite #109, Mount Prospect, IL, USA
Phone: (224) 409-7150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cityofsupport/
Twitter: @cityofsupport