One Family Illinois ensures that the children in foster care who live at our Villages have a place of healing and hope. Making memories with the children in our care is one of the wonderful ways to support that healing process. Although we try to capture as many moments as we can in stories, we realize sometimes photos say more. There is the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. We believe a picture tells a story just as well as, if not better than, a lot of written words. Through 2022, we look forward to sharing with you a photo each month that captures the “Moment of the Month.”
In This Photo – Our Moment of the Month
This year, The One Family Illinois Racial Justice Committee provided a service project to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. One Family Illinois’ families had the opportunity to prepare Forget-Me-Not Planter Kits to be delivered to the Senior residents in our communities. While the Forget-Me-Not plants symbolize true love and respect, flowers themselves represent an important part of people’s lives for hundreds of years. Many stories and myths have been built around them.
In memory of MLK’s work, the Forget-Me-Not Planter Kits are a small gesture to allow us in a greater capacity to recognize and appreciate our elders and the sacrifices they made in paving the road for us to continue on their path. We won’t take this for granted and we won’t forget this culture and history. We will work to continue the progress they began. The dream that Dr. King spoke about 58 years ago is a vision of what we want our society to be, what it can be. It is a timeless truth that each of us must embrace. It is a call to action.
One Family Illinois Village Model of Care
Our Foster Parents, child welfare specialists, clinical therapists, Village staff, volunteers, donors, and more all take a part in the process. Spending quality time with each child creates a sense of stability, builds confidence, and allows for time to simply smile, laugh, and connect with those around you. Oftentimes, our corporate partners and donors offer workshops, career days, parties, and more that help broaden the horizons of our children. Through our programs and services, we help the children in our care grow, thrive, and hope for a better future.
Pillars of the One Family Illinois Village Model of Care
To fulfill our promise of healing and hope, we provide children with the fundamentals of what they need to grow into happy, healthy, and successful young adults. Our Village, where children’s needs are put first, helps build a child’s confidence and learn in a positive, supportive community. Our homes are a safe and nurturing environment where children can always feel at home. Children live with their siblings and a full-time professional Foster Parent. Together, the family provides support and helps guide them to reach their highest potential. We provide resources, tools, and skills to help our children develop into successful, self-sufficient adults. When all of these work together, we help create new and exciting moments of happy childhood. With the support of our wonderful donors, you make it possible for us to help our children live a full and happy childhood, feeling cherished, protected, and comfortable enough to build good memories to last a lifetime.