Brightpoint IL

Thank you to the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust for its generous grant supporting Brightpoint and the children and families we serve. 💜

Support from community partners helps us continue meeting families where they are and connecting them with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

We’re grateful for partnerships like this that strengthen our commitment to supporting communities across Chicago.

💜 Big news for families!

Humana is stepping up in a big way, investing $500,000 to sustain the Brightpoint Family Resource Center at Schubert Elementary School and bring back a bilingual therapist on-site, plus an additional $200,000 to grow mental health and wellness programs across the state.

Together, that's $700,000 helping families access the resources and care they need to thrive.

"Humana is helping to make that life-changing work possible," said Matea Varvodic, Brightpoint's chief advancement officer.

Read our full news release to learn morehttps://www.brightpoint.org/app/uploads/Humana-grant-announcement-9.17.26.pdf

💜 Illinois' Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act is changing what's possible for families across our state.

Signed into law in 2025, the KIND Act makes it easier for relatives to become certified caregivers, removes unnecessary barriers to guardianship, and ensures kinship caregivers receive the same support as traditional foster parents.

Brightpoint was proud to support this legislation, and Jeanette Byrd, a Brightpoint kinship caregiver, spoke at the bill signing ceremony about how much support the KIND Act will bring to kinship families like her across Illinois.

💜 Hispanic Heritage Month begins today, and we’re kicking off a month of celebrating the cultures, histories and contributions of Hispanic and Latino/a communities across Brightpoint.

We’re proud to serve Hispanic and Latino/a children and families across our programs, and we’re committed to providing services that honor each family’s culture, language and unique strengths. Throughout the month, we’ll be celebrating the families, children and staff who make Brightpoint and our communities stronger.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

⛳💜 What a night! Our Brightpoint Benefit at Puttery Chicago brought together supporters for an evening of mini golf, great food and giving back. Together, we surpassed our $85,000 goal!

Guests spent the night putting for a purpose, connecting with fellow supporters and enjoying snacks and drinks between rounds, all in support of the children and families Brightpoint serves across Illinois.

A huge thank you to ITW, our presenting sponsor, for helping make this night possible. And thank you to everyone who came out, played a round and helped us raise even more than we hoped for.

💜 When children can't safely stay with their parents, staying connected to someone they already know and trust can make all the difference.

That's the foundation of kinship care. Research consistently shows that placing children with relatives or other trusted adults helps preserve family, culture and community ties, keeps siblings together more often, and supports better emotional and behavioral outcomes for kids.

Kinship care isn't just an alternative path in the child welfare system. For many children, it's the best path.

Have you ever thought about becoming a foster caregiver, but weren’t sure where to begin?

Our foster caregiver info sessions are a warm, welcoming place to learn more. You’ll hear what the journey really looks like, get your questions answered and discover how you can make a meaningful difference in the life of a child who needs safety, stability, and care.

You do not have to have everything figured out to take the first step. Just an open heart and a willingness to learn.

Join us at an upcoming info session. We’d love to meet you and walk alongside you as you explore whether fostering is right for you.

As Labor Day weekend approaches, we recognize the dedication and contributions of workers in our communities and across the country. 💜

In observance of Labor Day, Brightpoint offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, and will reopen during regular business hours Tuesday, Sept. 8.

We wish our staff, families, partners and communities a safe and restful Labor Day weekend!

We are so grateful for this support of our Transitional Youth Services program in our Southern region! This will help us in supporting youth in achieving stability and reaching their goals.

Brightpoint was honored to welcome Ameren Illinois last week to present a $10,000 contribution to support our Transitional Youth Services (TYS) program. The funding will help TYS participants secure and maintain stable housing as they work toward self-sufficiency and independence. Stable housing is a critical foundation for young adults transitioning into adulthood, and this support will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the young adults we serve.

Ameren Illinois has been a valued supporter of Brightpoint for nearly 19 years, helping advance our shared commitment to strengthening communities and creating opportunities for those in need. Guided by its mission to "support local organizations that power the quality of life for our customers and community," Ameren Illinois focuses its giving in three core areas: meeting critical needs, helping communities thrive, and creating education and economic opportunities throughout the region.

Pictured are Kristina Blake, Brightpoint Program Manager; Paula Nixon, Community Relations Executive with Ameren Illinois; and Janice Moenster, Brightpoint Director of Operations & Programs.

Thank you, Ameren Illinois, for investing in the future of young people in our community!

💜 September is Kinship Awareness Month, a time to recognize the relatives and close family connections who step up to care for children when their parents are unable to.
But what exactly is kinship care?

Unlike traditional foster care, where a child may be placed with a foster caregiver they did not previously know, kinship caregivers are relatives or people with an established connection to the child or family. They may be grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, godparents, coaches, teachers, or other important people in a child's life.

That familiar connection can provide children with stability, comfort and a continued sense of family and belonging during a time of significant change. This month, we're celebrating the kinship caregivers who open their homes, adjust their lives and help children remain connected to the people and communities they know and love.