C.I.T.Y. News

Although we are in disbelief that it is almost November (!), we are thrilled to have come full circle with our year's worth of events for our C.I.T.Y. All those Valentine's Parties, Graduations, Sales, Great Therapy Playdates, and Education Roundtables are already busy being scheduled and planned for year ahead. And with November rolling around, that means that we can officially get excited for our SECOND-ANNUAL Rockin' Shoppin' in the C.I.T.Y. Event. This, like many of our event reprises, is getting a re-boot with a new format, new location, and new time that will only enhance the festive energy that our committees have worked so hard to create. If you attended last year, come again, and if you missed it last year, round two is waiting for you!

Thank you to all of the hosts, presenters, attendees, and committee members for planning our first year of Education Roundtables. These dynamic learning opportunities are not your typical classroom learning design. By including a variety of professionals, specialists, parents, and facilitators, we are able to hear many different perspectives about each topic, creating an enriching learning experience for parents and professionals.

We are a "Powerpoint-Free Zone." These discussions are unique to the attendees (online with Facebook Live and in person), meaning that we address concerns raised by participants through discussions, encouraging participation from everyone. We talk; we move; we laugh; we eat (and professionals are awarded 2 EI Continuing Education hours for a nominal fee). If you haven't attended one of these unique events this past year, you'll want to keep your eyes open for opportunities to participate in 2020...we are creating some great topics and experiences that you won't want to miss!

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.

For this Great Therapy Playdate (the last of 2019), we have clinics in FOUR regions who have confirmed their ability to host. Register for this FREE event through our Eventbrite link to reserve your spot.

• City of Chicago: PlayWorks Therapy - 2500 W. Bradley Place #109, Chicago, IL 60618
• Northwest Suburbs: NOTE THE NEW LOCATION: Prospect Music Therapy - 401 E. Prospect Ave. Suite #208, Mount Prospect, IL 60068
• North Suburbs: Wee Speech - 8707 Skokie Blvd, Suite #402, Skokie, IL 60077
• South Suburbs: Kids Can Do - 19100 S. Crescent Dr. Suite #101, Mokena, IL 60448

Reserve your spot today! Hope you can join us!

**And clinics, if you would like to be added to our list of potential Great Therapy Playdate host sites, please contact us at: hello@cityofsupport.org, and join our professional email list. Opportunities are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations for 2020 are already being filled.**

Registration is now open for our 2nd Annual Rockin' Shoppin' Holiday Gift Event!

Just like last year, we are thrilled to have the participation of 20+ vendors and local artisans selling their unique gifts that are perfect for the teachers, therapists, family, and friends on our holiday shopping lists! These vendors are not only donating a portion of their sales to C.I.T.Y., but they are also each contributing a fantastic item to our raffle (with a value of at least $50).

Aaannnd, this year, we are hosting this event on a Sunday morning, November 17th from 11am-2pm at H.O.M.E. Restaurant & Bar (House of Music & Entertainment). This HUGE space not only will have food & drinks available, but they will also host the local rock cover band, VALIUS, creating a truly "rockin" experience (I may be partial to the bass player)! The band has agreed to keep the music clean for young ears, and ear plugs will be available! But, while all families are welcome, please keep in mind that this may not be the most sensory-friendly event for our youngest members. Last year's event was adult-only, so this year, you make the call...everyone is welcome!

This community-building fundraiser is open to everyone: parents, therapists, community members, and it's always a great way to meet other people in our C.I.T.Y. of Support while crossing some holiday gifts off our checklists.

Feel free to stop by on the day of the event, but in order to help us best plan, we encourage you to reserve your spot with the REGISTER button. (As a thank you, you will receive a free raffle ticket at the door!) Additional tickets for the raffle will be available at the event and also via ONLINE purchase through our website starting in early-November (in order to accommodate those people who may not be able to attend). Winners will be announced at the conclusion of the event. You do not need to be present to win, and items can be picked up at a later date!

So many reasons to celebrate and ways to participate in our C.I.T.Y....come kick off the holiday season with us!

NORTHWEST SUBURBS: ARLINGTON HEIGHTS MEMORIAL LIBRARY:

As always, we are meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of the month (11/12) 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 (11/24). Come join us and meet other families in the neighborhood.

**OTHER REGIONS**

We are continuing to research other neighborhood options in the North, West, South, 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.

Simply find the November #READITTOWINIT post in our Facebook Group; write your response to our question (one comment per person, please!); and you will be entered into a random drawing to win 5 Tickets to our Unique Rockin' Shoppin' Raffle (Redeemed Online or In Person). All raffle prizes are valued at $50 or more! If you are NOT on Facebook, send your response to hello@cityofsupport.org from your email account to be included. The drawing will take place via Facebook Live on Friday, November 15th at 7:00pm, and the winner will be notified either via Facebook Message or via Email.

November's Comment Topic:

***Who is your most difficult person to shop for during the holidays? Who has you stumped?***

(Hopefully you'll find some inspiration with the unique items at our Rockin' Shoppin' Event!)

And, if you are looking for FREE AND EASY way to give back to C.I.T.Y. of Support, we are collecting videos, photos, and written testimonials to include in a short film to help showcase our impact in the community. We hope this visual representation of our organization will help encourage additional donor contributions. All submissions for this project can be emailed to: hello@cityofsupport.org. Thank you!

For those who are interested in collaborating with our C.I.T.Y. of Support through corporate sponsorships, participation in events, and/or donation opportunities, whether you are in the therapy field or are a motivated community member, we have worked hard to create Annual Sponsorship Packages for the coming year. This will help us all better plan our financial commitments and reduce the amount of requests throughout the year.

An email with details will be sent out soon to those who are signed up to receive our professional/administrative emails as part of our "inner circle." If you aren't sure if you are on this email list, here is the link to sign-up. You won't want to miss out!

C.I.T.Y. of Support continues to add clinics, professionals, businesses, and organizations each month to our 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.

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: 800 E. Northwest Highway, Suite #109, Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Phone: (224) 409-7150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cityofsupport/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @cityofsupport