City of Support

25/07/2025

JULY'S C.I.T.Y. CLOSE-UP & YOUR CHANCE TO WIN:
On the last Friday of every month, we dedicate a space for parents to share their child's latest success stories--whatever they may be!

We will include ALL of the comments from MAY, JUNE, and JULY's posts in one large raffle, and the winner will be randomly selected to receive a sensory-friendly family photo shoot!

Every month that you share a comment, will count as 1 entry in the drawing (up to 3 opportunities per raffle). Comment on this post in our FB Group by Wednesday, August 13th at 11:59pm to be entered, and YOU just might be our next winner! 🤞
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Andrea commented on a post just like this one a few months ago, and she was selected to participate in a photo shoot with . Here is what she wanted to share about Remy:

"Re*****on “Remy” is a resilient 6-year-old who has been a fighter since the moment he entered the world. What began as undiagnosed heart conditions soon unfolded into global developmental delays. Although his milestones came later than expected, Remy has met each one with determination, growing and progressing at his own pace. Every accomplishment—no matter how big or small—is celebrated, and we cherish every moment.

We are endlessly proud of Remy—of his curiosity, his progress, his joyful spirit, his deep love of learning, his bond with nature and animals, and most of all, his unwavering love for his family. Remy made incredible strides during kindergarten and will soon be transitioning into a higher level special education program for first grade—a testament to how far he’s come. Though Remy is non-speaking, he is always engaged, aware, and communicates clearly through gestures, pointing, or usage of his AAC device. We’re proud of the way Remy communicates his needs in a way that works best for him.

Remy’s potential knows no bounds—the world is his to explore. We couldn’t be prouder of our incredible, resilient little boy."
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And think--you could win this awesome prize just for sharing your child's latest achievement. 🤩 We love hearing your success stories and celebrating all milestones with you, whatever they may be! ❤

24/07/2025

Parents! This in-person retreat is designed just for you! Mark it on your calendar, and line up the babysitters now, so you can treat yourself to this day of connecting and learning! Register here:
https://app.betterunite.com/letsmeetparentretreat2025

This is a day that will benefit you AND your child—we hope you’ll join us!

Thanks to the generosity of our community partners, this program is once again offered AT NO COST to parents!

This year we are focusing on “Building Strong Relationships” including those with your spouses, family, friends, and community. Your medical team, your school team, your Early Intervention team. And, importantly, your relationship with yourself. You won’t want to miss the speakers we are lining up...all experts in their fields and many who can relate as a professional and as a parent. Join us for this informative, empowering, and fun afternoon!

09/07/2025

A huge THANK YOU to CardioKidz for collecting gently-used toys and books as part of their summer registration process! Will definitely help stock our new Genero-CITY Toy Shop (re-opening later this summer!) What an amazing turnout…such generous participants in an amazing organization! Definitely check them out!! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🥰

08/07/2025

Thank you to the River Cities Rotary for letting us share about City of Support: our mission, programs, and purpose. We are so touched by your donation as well…we hope that this is the start of many future collaborative endeavors! 🥰

07/07/2025

TONIGHT is our first Parent Advisory Committee zoom: (7/7 at 7pm).

We would love for caregivers (moms and dads!) to join us...sign up here if you are interested in participating: https://app.betterunite.com/cityofsupport-volunteer

Can't make it? Add some titles we should consider at our meeting in the comments of this post...what should this year's "You Gotta Read This!" book be? 🧐📖📚

02/07/2025

July is Disability Pride Month. We welcome you to read, learn, and share information about local events in the comments!

"Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July to honor the history, achievements, experiences and struggles of the disability community. (It) was officially established in July 2015, on the 25th anniversary of the ADA, (Americans with Disabilities Act) by cities across the country with parades, festivals, educational opportunities and advocacy events. Many embrace the idea of disability pride as a grassroots movement challenging systemic ableism and the pervasive stigmatization of disability."

Cited from the University of Washington. (https://hr.uw.edu/cfd/2024/07/01/learn-and-engage-this-disability-pride-month/)

's mission is: to build a supportive community of caregivers through accessible and inclusive opportunities with resources that connects families navigating the needs of their child in any therapy, regardless of diagnosis.

02/07/2025

We are thrilled to have 15 parents signed up to participate in our new "Parent Advisory Committee!" Notably, mostly women have volunteered to join us so far, so men...please consider sharing your voice with us! It's not too late! Our first meeting is scheduled for next MONDAY, 7/7 at 7pm (nice and easy to remember) 😉

Register here, and the zoom link will be sent out to you:
https://app.betterunite.com/cityofsupport-volunteer

We will be focusing this first meeting on discussing:
1️⃣ Priorities for speakers/Themes for this year's "Let's Meet" Parent Retreat (9/27 from 1-4pm at Harper College in Palatine)
2️⃣ Community-wide video/book discussion suggestions
3️⃣ Opportunities for parents at our new Genero-CITY Toy Shop

Be part of the conversation, and help us plan programs, events, and opportunities that are meaningful for you!

We would love to work with you!

01/07/2025

We are so honored to be the recipient of this month’s local collection. Thank you State Representative Mary Beth Canty!!

This month, we'll be collecting gently used toys for CITY of Support's Genero-C.I.T.Y Toy Shop!

Drop off at my office by 7/31!

30/06/2025

JULY'S NEWSLETTER:
https://cityofsupport.org/newsletter/july-2025/

Summer in the C.I.T.Y. means celebrating milestones, connecting with others, and planning ahead for more meaningful and relevant programs. July's newsletter has all the information you need to stay involved with CITY this month.

Whether you are a caregiver or a professional, how will YOU take advantange of our FREE resources & programs?

25/06/2025

➕➕ BONUS! ➕➕

Were you unable to make it to our in-person office hours this month? To make this opportunity more accessible & equitable for everyone, we are offering a LIVE Zoom Office Hours with this month's guests TOMORROW, THURSDAY, 6/26 at 7:00pm. Here's the link to join us:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89905260579?pwd=bMzhW7GGfsc4DkpNHlemz0RHb7WeUv.1