We can't believe it's time for the December newsletter--the edition that allows us to reflect about the past year. We have created a 5-minute video that sums up our actions, events, and initiatives in 2021. (You might just see yourself make a cameo!)

As you may know, we are an organization that is currently run entirely by volunteers. We depend on "C.I.T.Y. Builders" like you to help us sustain our efforts in providing an accessible, inclusive, and FREE community for all families looking for support in navigating the needs of their child in therapy, regardless of diagnosis.

Giving Tuesday is THIS TUESDAY, 11/30, and your contribution will have a direct impact right here in Chicagoland. Donations can be made through our website or through our Facebook

social media campaign. Check with your employer too--many offer matching donations!

With YOUR help, we can continue to provide:

• Online communities for sharing/providing resources
• FREE playgroups & events for families
• Direct links to local resources on our website
• Education opportunities for families & providers
• Inclusive community awareness campaigns for all
• Innovative and accessible resources within our community

Our goals for next year are determined based upon the revenue we can generate, and Giving Tuesday is an important part of this funding. Not only will you be demonstrating your support for our organization--you will also be eligible to receive a variety of incentives for doing so. We appreciate your partnership as we look ahead to 2022!

We hope EVERYONE will participate! Whether it's $5 or $500, will you commit to being one of our C.I.T.Y. Builders? For every donation we receive (regardless of the amount), we will add to our "Facebook Construction Site" on #GivingTuesday (11/30)--let's all work together to build our C.I.T.Y!

C.I.T.Y. of Support is an inclusive place where all who care about & support children in therapy are welcome. That means, when it comes to giving, our collaboration partners may be interested in different incentives. Look below to see how we offer our appreciation in different ways to our diverse population of C.I.T.Y. Builders.

Check to see if your Local Leader is hosting an in-person playdate in December (11th-12th)!

New INDOOR options available!

All play dates will be scheduled for the 2nd WEEKEND. Check dates/times/locations each month.

Information is posted in our newsletters, on the Events tab on C.I.T.Y.'s website, & on our

C.I.T.Y. Google Calendar. If you have a suggestion for where to host future playdates,

please contact your Local Leader or email: hello@cityofsupport.org. If you are a clinic/facility who would like to host a future playdate, please visit our Great Therapy Playdate Request Form.

Do you have an event that you'd like to share with our C.I.T.Y. of Support community? Great! We want families to gather this information, and we want to help event sponsors increase their visibility. We have updated our "Events" page on our website, and we offer 2 ways to share your information.

1. Information can be shared on our scrolling list of "Community Events" for the current and subsequent month, located on the right-hand side of the page (at no charge)--listed in chronological order. Professionals and/or parents can submit a Calendar Submission Form.

2. For greater visibility, we are also offering the option of submitting a "Highlighted Event," that would not only appear on the scrolling list of "Community Events," but it would also be featured on the page's main content for up to 2 months prior to the event with additional details, a graphic, and a link (nominal fee). Visit our Calendar Submission Form for more details..

All events are reviewed by C.I.T.Y. of Support, and we reserve the right to include/exclude events based upon the following, required criteria. The submitted event must be:

✅ Local (Chicago and Surrounding Suburbs)

✅ A special program (not recurring on a weekly basis)

✅ Applicable for our community of parents/families

✅ Taking place within 2 months from the time of submission

If you have any questions, please email us at: hello@cityofsupport.org

According to her mom:

"Vera began physical and occupational therapies at three months of age after not meeting her milestones. A few months later we added speech with feeding and eventually developmental therapy as well. At 18 months of age, we learned of her rare genetic condition caused by an autosomal recessive inheritance which affects, in part, her muscle coordination and strength, vision, sensory processing, speech and language, and GI system.

And yet, despite all the day to day challenges of her condition Vera has remained joyful, resilient, and brave. She works extremely hard to do the things that most other kids can do naturally. She is spunky and sweet, and we see her confidence growing. We are so proud of her. Our family is forever changed by Vera. She has given us a new appreciation for what we previously took for granted. We love her just the way God created her, and we wait with expectation for His faithfulness to carry on throughout her life."

You could be our next winner!

Comment on November's C.I.T.Y. Close-Up post in our Facebook Group featuring Vera by Wednesday night, December 15th at 11:59 pm for YOUR chance to win a photography session in January! A winner will be randomly selected and announced on Thursday,

December 16th. We love to celebrate successes with you (whatever they may be!).

DIY: Do It Yourself! These festive card kits are the perfect way for your kids to spread holiday cheer and are a great addition to any gift, providing that personal touch that teachers, therapists, family members, and friends all appreciate. The kits contain everything except glue and scissors, so they are ready when you are. Available while supplies last.

Purchase online at: cityofsupport.org/shop

Plus, 100% of the proceeds go directly back to C.I.T.Y. of Support!

Children whose parents signed them up to participate in this fun, FREE program, received a handmade birthday card in the mail from another child who receives therapy services. It's a fun way to make early social connections and celebrate everyone.

**Thank you to Marissa Bennett Consulting for sponsoring our

November birthdays! The kids at your clinic did such a great job!**

An announcement for C.I.T.Y.'s Birthday Buddies program in 2022:

We have so enjoyed coordinating the celebration of birthdays across Chicago! Thank you to the families who registered their children for this program, to the clinics who volunteered to host a month of card preparation, and to our Card Coordinator, Joan Kurtz, for organizing and facilitating this special program throughout the year.

Moving forward, we will no longer be facilitating the delivery of these birthday cards among children across the region; however, we would LOVE to provide clinics with the materials necessary to create and distribute cards among patients at their individual sites.

Send us an email, and we will be happy to create a "Birthday Buddies Box" specifically for you!

hello@cityofsupport.org

What fun we had at our first Sponsor Soiree earlier this month! We were thrilled to treat those who have supported us throughout these few years to an evening of good food, great conversation, and impressive networking! We are thankful to have so many supporters from different fields, and we were honored to have therapists, clinic managers, neuropsychologists, neonatologists, dentists, attorneys, and recreation specialists among our guests. Based on the positive feedback we received, we hope to host another soiree in the future.

We want to continue to grow our dynamic community, not only among parents/families, but among professionals as well. Thank you for your commitment to supporting C.I.T.Y. of Support in our mission to form connections and collaboration opportunities among our community.

Want to feature your information in one of C.I.T.Y. of Support's monthly newsletters?

Contact us: hello@cityofsupport.org

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