Highlighting a longstanding and genuine partnership over the years with the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation (CYCF). Youth from all three of our Villages engage with CYCF programs throughout the year. This past year, SOS Children’s Villages participated in a CYCF Sailing Camp and an Introductory Cruise. New this year, the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation launched a STEAM after-school program in partnership with One Family Illinois that serves kids in 1st – 6th grade at our Roosevelt and Chicago Villages. This past fall, 20 of our youth in care were able to participate in this new program. The program has been such a success that there are even more youth joining this spring! Additionally, we recently were able to launch a Swim School with a grant from CYCF, where 25 kids from the Villages are learning to swim by taking swim lessons in their local communities.
Emily Brown, Education & Family Enrichment Manager at One Family Illinois, notes “We are so grateful for the wealth of opportunities that the partnership with CYCF has given our children. Swim lessons are something that our Foster Parents have been asking for for years and CYCF made it happen! Not only are the experiences invaluable, but the relationships the staff have built with our youth during STEAM programs and summer camp mean our kids are always excited for a CYCF program.”
We are thrilled to have another exciting summer on the water with our youth and Chicago Yacht Club Foundation! Help us build more programs like these, donate here!