FACTS 

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In Illinois, an estimated 25,000 homeless youth struggle to meet their most basic needs. Approximately 3,300 children remain in foster care and thousands continue waiting for permanent families. State systems are overwhelmed and unable to consistently provide essentials such as food, clean clothing, school supplies, and safe, stable housing. As a result, many children attend school exhausted, hungry, and are fearful of where they will sleep at night. These conditions directly impact attendance, academic performance, and emotional well-being. Youth without stable support are at increased risk of chronic absenteeism, school dropout, exploitation, and trafficking as they attempt to secure basic necessities. Without targeted intervention, these children face long-term educational and

economic instability that perpetuates cycles of poverty and trauma. 

 

MODEL

• In partnership with 85 schools and social service agencies, we provide critical supplies to restore dignity, reduce peer shaming and increase academic attendance.

• We provide life skills opportunities, educational programs & special celebration to help restore  self worth. . 

• We tutor at group homes, host special events and transform holidays into special experiences to help children feel loved and remembered.

• We purchase supplies by the pallet tax-free at reduced rates to maximize the efficiencies and

       ensure our donors' dollars go further. 

• We rely on corporations, groups, schools & volunteers to help children Build Brighter Futures.

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THE REALITY 

“It’s nearly impossible to know how many children are in desperate need. PIT counts, IDHS and McKinneny-Vento data helps, but many families lack forms, program knowledge or internet access. Teachers and School Social Workers are the first line of defense for children in crisis. They make it possible for us to do our job well. When youth don’t have food - often they risk everything to survive. We reduce stress and risky behavior by providing food, critical support and stability. Together, we improve attendance and create positive outcomes - where children feel safer, supported and valued.”

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WHAT WE DO

• FAH4K sponsors over 2,800+ at-risk youth annually in various capacities.

• Numbers rise to 4,800+ children in November & December.

• We host over 300 volunteer experiences for individuals, groups & corporations.

• We host Team-Building Experiences to leverage resources and services to create the best outcome for children in desperate need.

 

We provide foster, homeless, and at-risk youth with:​ 

• ​MEAL SECURITY: We distribute over 330,000 pounds of food and food gift cards annually to help children get through Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break, Summer Break and weekends. Youth without access to food pantries need help to avoid putting themselves in dangerous situations just to eat. 

• EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT: We provide over 50,000 school supplies to foster and homeless youth annually so they can attend school prepared and ready to learn without shame. We also provide tutoring to children in group homes. We provide the children opportunities to volunteer with us to show them how far they've come.

• WINTER COMFORT: We provide over 12,,000+ winter coats, blankets & seasonal clothing annually. We sponsor tens of thousands of Toiletries 4 Dignity packages and critical necessities to restore dignity and to increase school attendance.

• LIFE SKILLS: On and Off-Site , we provide STEM programming including coding classes, science programs led by industry professionals, Business Incubator Classes with financial advisors, Cooking classes led by professional chefs, Cooking & Butterfly Gardens, Book Club, Food and Nutrition class, Healing Art classes & First Aid Classes.

• CELEBRATIONS: We host special life cycle events including birthday and graduation celebrations to help children heal and feel valued. 

• CONFIDENCE BUILDING INITIATIVES: We provide thousands of seasonal WeCare Packages to help children get through the holidays warmer, safer & cared for.

• FOSTER FACILITY RESTORATION: We improve foster facilites to help children feel safe & at home.

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 GET INVOLVED

Individuals, Groups and Team Building Experiences:

• ​4 Kids Care Packages are filled with gifts and special items to celebrate birthdays and holidays for rescued and homeless children who would otherwise receive nothing.

• 4 Kids Survival BacPacs™ include immediate basic necessities including blankets, toiletries, and food for homeless youth struggling to survive.

• 4 Kids Brighter Futures Programs™ give kids tutoring, life skills, and cultural experiences to allow them to succeed and give them possibilities for a brighter future!

• ​4 Kids Special Events™ bring volunteers and children together in group settings where they can go to a movie, celebrate a birthday, a special holiday, and even "Trunk-or-Treat"!  Our community events help children build upon happy experiences. It helps children who have suffered from abandonment, abuse or trafficking to heal and feel loved & remembered.