UCAN Chicago Gives Back

	By Maxine Brown, Youth and Education Editor, The Real Chi

UCAN Chicago has been giving back to the community for over 150 years and they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

UCAN hosts an annual gift drive during the holidays to give back to their families involved in their programs, but due to COVID, they have had to move this event online. No matter what UCAN Chicago still plans to host, give back to these families in need. The organization plans to donate toys, games, gift cards and more to be purchased through their Walmart gift registry. All items will be distributed to participants in programs such as foster care, violence intervention and prevention services, counseling and youth development services, and teen transitional services.

Their goal is to be able to give each child, and teen $50 worth of gifts, or gift cards, by Dec. 7. Individuals can donate via UCAN Chicago’s website, https://www.ucanchicago.org/gift-drive/.

UCAN’s promise is to advocate for and provide opportunities that change lives through impactful programs, consistent presence and unrivaled diversity and inclusion. UCAN serves and impacts over 21,000 at-risk children, youth and families across Illinois. They offer a range of services, including Therapeutic Youth Homes, K-12 therapeutic day school, Clinical and counseling services, Transitional and independent living programs, Support for pregnant and parenting teens, Foster care placement, Workforce development, Youth leadership development, and Violence intervention and prevention. They have over eight locations in the south and west sides of Chicago. All eight locations take donations all year round, as they target to help low income, and at risk, homeless teens, and families. You can donate year round at https://www.ucanchicago.org/donate , or https://www.ucanchicago.org/donate/other-ways-to-give .

Lous Medina, a receptionist at the North Lawndale location, shared one of her favorite programs that UCAN has to offer.

“One of my favorite things about UCAN is the Scholarship give away, they send a bunch of kids to school, or the many youth and development programs. I loved getting to see the kids eat, and talk to mentors twice a month. It was very inspiring,” said Medina.

We also asked Medina about ways to become a part of these programs, and upcoming events to look out for,

“Just come on in and speak to the receptionist, or call. And Foster parent appreciation is coming up,” said Medina.