Offering Every Kid Success

Christopher House has been helping children and families succeed for more than 100 years. Today, Christopher House’s family of schools prepares at-risk children and their families for success in school, the workplace, and life.

Our continuum of high-quality schools serves children from birth through high school, and includes programs that help parents create stable, self-sufficient families. Working in partnership with parents, we provide a rich academic environment that also builds qualities that make the difference later in life: self-confidence, social skills, and perseverance. A Letter from Our CEO

his summer I attended a week long course at the Stanford University TExecutive Program for Nonprofit Leaders. The experience of being at the table with more than 60 fellow non-profit leaders from around the world was so inspiring. It was extraordinary to hear about the work they are doing for their communities and reignited my passion for what we accomplish at Christopher House.

Despite the uncertain funding and politics in the past few years, our mission and vision have led us through and we are seeing incredible results. Our continuum of education, personalized learning, and wraparound support to children and families is leading to success. You’ll learn about these results in the next few pages, read stories of how our staff works to make these gains; and understand the real impact Christopher House is having on our families. OUR VALUES

Commitment to Excellence Additionally, you will find the organizations and people who made these Achievement and Perseverance gains possible – our donor list from this past year. It’s investors like you that Respect and Compassion allow Christopher House to fulfill our mission and vision. Your support gave Equality of Opportunity thousands of children and their families a chance at success last year and changed their trajectory for many years to come. OUR BELIEFS The impact Christopher House has, in partnership with children and families, Children and families thrive when: goes far beyond the classroom. The social/emotional growth and resilience we They have access to a high-quality education instill in our scholars will carry them through success in school, work, and life. Education begins at birth, with parents as the first teacher, and continues through life As research proves again and again, low-income, at-risk children with access to Parents have high standards and set high high-quality education have more successful, happier lives – which has a huge expectations for their children and themselves return on investment for all of us. Professionally trained teachers use strength- based instruction and know their students as individuals Gratefully, Parents support their children financially and emotionally Evaluations and program adjustments are data driven Education includes developing perseverance and social intelligence Lori Baas Parents and teachers work together to Chief Executive Officer continuously improve programs

September 2017

“It was an incredible year for Christopher House. Both, students and teachers, preformed above their target and most above national norms - we are very proud and very excited to continue this work in the coming year!” -Karen Ross-Williams, Director of Early Childhood Education and Youth Development Closing the Gap

99% 1,540 4th grade reading Hungry children and national growth their families were Continuum percentile* provided emergency Starting at Birth food 79% 80% 3rd graders met or Early childhood Personalized Wraparound exceeded the national students prepared for Learning Support norm in reading* kindergarten**

84% 100% Christopher House closes After School students on 7/10 metrics the opportunity gap through improved their GPA or evaluated by National maintained a Association for the a continuum of personalized B average Education of the education with wraparound Young Child*** support starting at birth.

* NWEA Assessment Spring 2017 ** Kindergarten Readuness Matirx© 2017 *** Uptown campus accredation renewal 2017 Family of Schools

INFANT & PRESCHOOL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AFTER SCHOOL PARENT SCHOOL Internationally renowned, An innovative school model Promotes academic Fosters the skills parents need to full-day early childhood schools offering a continuum of education achievement, self-confidence, raise happy, healthy children. Our serve children from six weeks for children kindergarten through and positive decision-making Teen and Adult Parent and Prenatal to five years old. Our schools eighth grade. The school’s skills for children and youth. School prepares parents for birth, advance literacy, motor skills, rigorous college prep curriculum We offer tutoring, enrichment and educates parents to be a positive social behavior, cognitive develops critical thinkers who will activities, field trips, college and child’s “first teacher.” The school development, math skills, and succeed in high school, college, career prep, and more. creates a strong support system for long-term success. and beyond. parents with social workers, food pantries, and emergency financial assistance.

“My hope for Louis* is that he follows his dreams and believes in himself. I want him to go to college and be the most respectful human being there is.” - Parent, Christopher House, Stewart Campus

* Names changed to protect family identities.

Our Families 70% 79% Christopher House serves low-income children and families Early childhood Parents working in Belmont Cragin, Logan Square, and Uptown. families are run and/or in school by single parents

African-American 26% 51% 81% Elementary students Family caregivers They’re Hispanic are English Language have a high school Bi-Racial Learners diploma or less Diverse 64% Caucasian 3% 3% 4% Asian, Multi-Racial, under $19,000 Native American, Other Average Annual Household Income

FY 2017 Student Demographics Thank You to Our Donors July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017 Annual Fund It is our pleasure to recognize the generosity of all the institutions and Classroom Circle $50,000+ Mentor Circle individuals that make our work possible. Paul M. Angell Family Foundation $5,000 - $9,999 Anonymous After School Matters The Boeing Company Anonymous x2 CME Group Foundation Assurance Agency Ltd. The Crown Family Peter and Emily Baillos Ellis Goodman Family Foundation Barrington Presbyterian Polk Bros. Foundation Women Presbytery of Chicago Paul and Linda Bartman United Way of Metropolitan Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Chicago Illinois Steve and Lisa Bonner Family Circle Bridgestone Firestone Trust $25,000 - $49,999 Fund Robert Buono and Liz Cicchelli DLA Piper US LLP Richard and Dee Dee Chesley D’Orazio Asset Management Anthony Chimino Group, LLC Marguerite Dixen Charles Douglas Exelon Corporation Eimer Stahl LLP Lloyd A. Fry Foundation First Midwest Bank Laura Ricketts, Cubs Charities, and Christopher House Board of Directors Shiloh and Stephen Raquet Meredith Flagstad Chair, Tom O’Neill having some championship fun at the April Benefit. RBC Capital Markets Jordan and Debra Hadelman Stu and Tatum Reed Therese and David Haines Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Johnson Dean Barsness Starcom Worldwide John Hamill Mitzi Johnson Bennett Day School House of Vans Rhea Kemerley Steven and Karen Berkowitz Teacher Circle INTREN Arthur Lipovetsky and Faye Paul James Blackburn $10,000 - $24,999 Lindy and Michael Keiser Eileen and Daniel Lynch Jeffrey Blackburn All Chicago Susan and Jim King John and Angie Lyons John and Liz Blanchard Anonymous Meltzer, Purtill & Stelle LLC Steve and Ellen Mardiks Jason and Jessica Blomquist Balasa Dinverno Foltz LLC Lee and Suzanne Miller Mr. Peter and Mrs. Lisa Meyer Jeff Renterghem and Wendy Borg Bank of America - Illinois Opus Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Matt Mikula Jim and Mimi Brault Foundation Personnel Staffing Group Karen Drozd and Steven Seth and Julia Briggs William Blair Presbyterian Church of Barrington Napolitano Brown & Brown of Illinois Barbara Stewart and Peter Bowe James and Patricia Raquet Nisen & Elliot, LLC CNA Michael and Debbie Buck The Honorable Bruce Rauner and Stanley Nitzberg and Vivian Bill Carr Perry and Julie Bump Mrs. Diana Rauner Blackman Nitzberg Caroline and Randy Chandra JoAnne Cicchelli and William Lizzy Whitehorn & Matthew Norcon Kate Cicchelli Singer Reilein Pappageorge Haymes Ltd. Dan Cooney and Debbie Behrman Cubs Charities Rooney Rippie & George Reimnitz Andrew and Carmela Corsini Patrick and Anna M. Cudahy Fund Ratnaswamy LLP Reynolds Family Foundation Erica and Ben Davis Thomas O’Neill and Ann David Brad Serlin Southminster Presbyterian Dermody Properties Foundation Fred Eychaner Cheryl and Michael Sheehan Church Deutsche Bank Leo S. Guthman Fund Liz Smith Avy and Marcie Stein Keith and Lisa Dobrolinsky John Harney, and family United Scrap Metal, Inc. Mark and Terri Sullivan Tom and Debbie Errath Mary Hasten and Brien O’Brien John and Joyce Wayhart Tangent Technologies Barack Ferrazzano IMC Chicago Charitable Kimberly White Third Coast Underwriters Fitch Ratings Foundation Thomas and Emily Woodrow Peter and Nicole Toalson Adjustable Forms Jenner & Block McGuireWoods LLP United Heartland Andrew and Jennifer Friedman Kenilworth Union Church Nathan and Lola Wright Anne and David Gezon The Lodestar Foundation Student Circle Sally Gillan Sam and Terry Maack Advocate Circle $1,000 - $2,499 John and Julie Goodman Kathy and Thomas Palmer $2,500 - $4,999 Brandon and Jill Antoniewicz Richard and Jacquelyn Gould Mr. Chad Poznansky Janell Adames Paul and Paula Armstrong Matthew Gray Prince Charitable Trusts Alan Brody Atomatic Mechanical Services, Cynthia and John Grazian David Rodin Christopher House Auxiliary INC. James Hardie Building Peter and Barbara Sereda Shawn and Sang Ellis Myron and Pat Baas Products Inc. Holly Halsted-Smirl and Rick Smirl Mia and Mark Furlong Mr. Forrest Bailey and Mrs. Elisa Donald and Lois Hartung Russ and Pamela Strobel Robin Steans and Leonard Gail Primavera-Bailey Health & Medicine Policy Wintrust Community Banks Holland & Knight John and Lisa Bareiss Research Group Glenn Horton Gwendolyn Barnes Thank You to Our Donors July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017

Student Circle Dr. Roshan P. Parikh and $1,000 - $2,499 (Cont.) Elizabeth Haus Diane Heller Frederick Paulman Sally and Tom Hilgendorf Presbyterian Women of the Park Andrew and Laurie Hochberg Ridge Presbyterian Church Michael and Sarah Jacobs Nancy M. Reed Janene and Joe Jonas Katy and Kurt Reichert Michael and Dana Kanovitz William Reidinger Frederick Kaplan Therese and John Rigas Earl Perlow and Grant Kaufman John Riggs James and Julie Keane Michael Rivas Thomas and Kay Kelly Roco Properties LLC Daniel and Lisa Klaras Gary Sagui Peter Kunz Mary and Dave Schroeder Richard Schumacher Stu Reed, Christopher House Board Member, and wife Charles H. Kurtz Tatum at the Four Seasons for our 27th Annual Benefit. Marta and Pat Landrosh Mr. Raj Shah Lifetouch National School Shure Incorporated William and December Studios Penne Silverman $500 - $999 Gladden Angela Lockhart Ziemowit and Gosia Smulkowski ADP Automatic Data Processing David Gotsch Yvonne Lozano Gregory and Margaret Spitzer Stacia and Mark Albiston Leanne Gulden Lynn and Mike Lullo David Suchomski Sarah Alshouse William and Christine Guthrie Mike Maali Louis and Marjorie Susman James Althoff Steven and Pamela Handmaker Gene and Barbara Mackevich Janet Swenson Anonymous Ryan and Kim Harding Mr. and Mrs. Robert Marcocchio TCF National Bank Apple Inc. John Mitchell and Sara Hays Maria Lourdes Massanet Dan and Jean Thompson AXA Foundation Adam and Janet Heiman Anina McCarron Danielle Thurber John and Linda Baker Neil Hirsch Laura D. Miller Glenn and Jacqueline Tilton Mitch Basson Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Michael and Lori Mulhern David and Andrea Tingue Vienna Beef Jill Javors Mr. Matt and Mrs. Lindsey Homero Tristan Andrew Bennett Nick and Beth Josephs Murphy Tom and Tina Tromiczak Marcelo Presser and Shari Tim Jackson and James Keane Christopher Nadeau Jeff and Linnea Tuisl Berland Heather Khalaf David Neighbours Virtu Patricia Bidwill Craig and Maureen Kirby Brian Nix Kerry and Robert Vyverberg Lisa Bradford Ken Kirk Kevin Noonan Alexander and Monica Williams Traci Braun Merry Beth and James Novas, Dohr and Coll OB/GYN Mary and Robert Womsley Peter and Linda Brennan Kowalczyk Associates The XCEL Group Stephen Bueche Gregory Kulis The Honorable Barack Obama Mr. Joe Zitomer Marlene Butler Ladies of the Chicago and Mrs. Michelle Obama Ed and Patricia Zurek David Calzaretta Northshore Elks Allyson Paflas Robert Campbell Steve and Dorothy Larrick Shea Caruthers Jessica and Adam LeFebvre Robert and Elizabeth Churchill Ms. Mary Williams and Mr. Mike Robert and Barb Churney Lenehan Carter Culver Larry and Carol Levy Thomas and Julie Danilek Lauren Long Bruce and Laurie Davidson Pat Makeever John DeBlasio John and Patti Mannebach Leslie Delany Ms. Marissa Martin John and Katherine DiMare Stacy McAuliffe Elizabeth and John Dischner Dave J. Meyer Nikki Drevich Laurence Msall Ruthann and Robert Dufkis Kurt Murray Amber Dushman Liberty Mutual Charles and Connie Falcone Sheila and James Naylor Thomas Ferguson Kathryn and Matthew Neenan First Presbyterian Church of Betsy Weitzman and Doug Arlington Heights Nelson Anthony and Jennifer Fout Dr. Jeanne Novas-Busano Jeff Friedrich Oakley Stevens Lawrence Gilroy The Honorable Sheila O’Brien Dimas Ocampo Clark the Cub at our 27th Annual Benefit at the Four Seasons in April 2017. Working Together

ollaboration is crucial to then meet afterward to discuss how to best increase the member CChristopher House’s ability strengths, areas for support, and agencies’ ability to positively impact to help our children and families ways to bring consistency and the lives of those served. succeed. Teachers work with other fluidity between programs.” teachers, parents, and organizations All of these methods of working in the Chicago Benchmarking Outside our classrooms, the Chicago together lead to better practices and Collaboration — all to track success Benchmarking Collaborative (CBC) better results for our children and and increase impact, so each family allows seven agencies to share families in need. can reach their goals. practices to provide the best services for the nearly 12,000 In Christopher House classrooms, people served by the organizations. teachers believe parents are the The Chicago Benchmarking child’s first teacher and give them With Christopher House as project Collaborative is an alliance of the tools and education to continue manager, the CBC meets throughout seven education and human their children’s learning at home. the year to track indicators and Additionally, teachers communicate outcomes set at the start of the service agencies whose with each other. Lauren Harrington, year. This joint collaboration allows mission is to drive meaningful Emergent Learning Coordinator agencies to compare approaches and tangible change for and Kindergarten Teacher, said on and results. Having “apples to Chicago’s at-risk populations. the collaboration, “Kinder teachers apples” comparisons gives teachers Learn more at and Early Childhood teachers take and administrators the ability to christopherhouse.org/cbc. turns observing one another and make data-informed decisions on Thank You Holland & Knight

e could not be happier having the Holland & Knight Understanding that mentoring and tutoring would WChicago office partner with Christopher House be one of the most direct ways they could impact to share their time, talents, and resources! Aside from our scholars, lawyers from Holland & Knight and donating countless hours of pro bono legal work, the Christopher House staff established a program. They team volunteers, tutors, mentors, and supports drives meet twice a month with students to work on reading throughout the year giving school supplies, books, and and math skills. Tom said on the experience, “Ironically, diapers. we as mentors learned as much from the scholars as they did from us!” This past year, Holland & Knight asked how to be even more involved. “Christopher House’s mission In addition to being positive role models for our speaks to all of us at Holland & Knight, because we scholars, the office hosted a fundraiser for the spring are committed to leveling the academic playing field Read-A-Thon collecting over 150 books and $1,000, for at-risk children, and ensuring they have access to and this August collected over $2,500 in back to school the same high-quality academic resources that we supplies! all enjoyed as lawyers,” said Partner, and member of Christopher House Board of Directors, Tom Woodrow. A big thanks to Holland and Knight for your involvement, your support, and for being such a committed investor in Christopher House children and families!

“Christopher House’s mission speaks to all of us at Holland & Knight, because we are committed to leveling the academic playing field for at- risk children, and ensuring they have access to the same high-quality academic resources that we all enjoyed as lawyers.” – Tom Woodrow, Partner, Holland & Knight, Member Christopher House Board of Directors

2017 Holland & Knight Mentors and Mentees. Thank You to Our Donors Diapers to July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017 Diplomas $500 - $999 (Cont.) Lisa Sauer Paul and Dana Utigard Caroline O’Connor Barbara Deal and Burt Schell Ramon Villapando You can help our littlest David and Patty Schulte Jennifer and John Vojticek Maura and Paul O’Connor learners reach their full Karen Otto Perry Siatis Keith Wagner Aaron and Kelli Pauker Cameron and Erica Smith Leonard and Mary Anne Wall potential by joining Diapers Mary Pearce Byron and Angie Smith Colleen Washburn to Diplomas to provide Keith Solomon Jim and Nancy Weber Kevin and Heather Phillips essentials for our 120 Diane and Don Poljak JoAnn and Frank Stanhope Mrs. Traci and Mr. Ron Weber Robert and Judi Pottle Sara and James Staniszewski Julie Womack infants and toddlers. Bruce Rabik Troy and Pat Stanton Shep and Sally Young Peter and Bonnie Raquet Robert Steinberg We are in need of: James and Kim Reddington Lowell Steward Please see Martha Roberts Kevin and Hope Stipe christopherhouse.org • Diapers - sizes 2-5 Tom and Vicki Rosenbluth Mr. John and Mrs. Lisa Storto for the full donor listing! • Pull-Ups - sizes 2T-5T Sheila Ruder Diane Svanson • Baby Wipes John Rutledge Thompson Nashville Francessa Santori Jonathan Trapp • Enfamil Formula Become an Investor in Success Today Each gift has the opportunity to create a profound impact on the thousands of children and their families that Christopher House partners with annually.

Here are some of the ways you can give: Donate Online • Donate by Mail • Become a Monthly Donor Donate Diapers • Include Christopher House in your Will Make Christopher House your IRA Beneficiary • Send Gifts of Stock

For more information, please contact our Associate Director of Individual Giving, Kathy Greenberg at [email protected] or at 773-922-7584.

How can you help? • Donate these items today! Bring to our James & Jean Stewart Campus or our Logan Square Center. • Throw a baby shower or host a diaper drive! • Sponsor a child. For less than a dollar a day, you can ensure a child has clean diapers while in school.

Visit christopherhouse.org/d2d and sign up today!

Gilbert Juarez (Center) 2017 Northwestern University Graduate, 27th Annual Benefit Alumnus Speaker with father, Mario Juarez and mother, Anna Falcon. Get Involved Join us for one of our events throughout the year! There are many ways to be a part of our work and directly impact children and families in need.

Here are just a few upcoming opportunities!

Holiday Food Drive Read-A-Thon 2018 28th Annual Benefit Family To Family February & March April 26, 2018 November & December

Join us to celebrate the love of Save the date to join us for our Holidays are a time of family, food, reading with our scholars! The largest fundraiser of the year! Last and generosity. Help our families Read-A-Thon, opens their year; we honored Cubs Charities enjoy a special day of hope. Collect imagination, sparks creativity, and and the Bretz Family; enjoyed a fresh food for special Thanksgiving builds vocabulary and literacy skills. performance by the Elementary meals or be paired with a family - Volunteer to share your favorite Choir; and welcomed Christopher or multiple families - to help give childhood book, and collect House alumnus and Northwestern families in need a joyful holiday donations to help create more University Graduate, Gilbert Juarez, season. robust classroom libraries. as a featured speaker!

Visit christopherhouse.org for more Details at christopherhouse.org! Sign up at christopherhouse.org information and to sign up for to receive all the updates and to Family-to-Family this fall! purchase tickets.

“I want Gabe* to learn new things. I want him to explore different cultures and diversities. I want him to challenge himself.” -Parent, Christopher House, Uptown

* Names changed to protect family identities. Success from Support

ersonalized learning succeeds when teachers For our scholars, coming from more challenging know their scholars and adapt to their needs. backgrounds this extra help and guidance can lead P This approach is part of the education that all to discovering how to manage diverse learning Christopher House scholars receive. At our Elementary opportunities that can last for the remainder of their School, one aspect of this is an intense and lengthy educational career, and can mean going from failing to process called multi-tiered support system (MTSS) or thriving. intervention. “This is just one of the ways we work to close the MTSS is a three -tiered approach to working with a achievement gap,” said Shay. “We provide extra scholar in need of extra support in six-week time support for all students who need it — to level the frames: either in the classroom, in small groups, or playing field with kids who have more resources in individually. The three levels allows the school and wealthier neighborhoods.” parents to see if there are other ways a child learns that can be adapted in the classroom, outside of This process is different for every student and placing the scholar on an individualized education represents our commitment to personalizing learning plan (IEP). for our scholars. Giving them a better chance to overcome the achievement gap and reach their full On average, schools only provide this extra support potential. - if they provide it at all - to the lowest scoring 20%. Christopher House doesn’t make this cut off. “We have a lot of high risk kids who need more support,” “This is one of the ways we work to close said Shay Stein, Student Support Specialist, and the person at Christopher House Elementary School who the achievement gap. We provide extra is dedicated to implementing these strategies. support for all students who need it — to level the paying field with kids who have more resources in wealthier neighborhoods.” -Shay Stein, Student Support Specialist 5235 W. Belden Ave. Chicago, IL 60639

If I didn’t find Christopher House I don’t know where I would be. Christopher House changed my life. -Esther, Parent, Early Childhood & After School

You can help a familiy get on track for a better life today. Donate Diapers Bring or send donations M-F 8am-5:30pm to our Logan Square site at 3255 W. Altgeld St. 60647 or our James & Jean Stewart Campus at 5235 W. Belden Ave. 60639 Sponsor a Child by becoming A MonTHLY Member! You can provide the extra push a child or parent needs to build grit, reach their goals, and break the cycle of poverty. VISit CHRISTOPHER HOUSE.ORG Learn how you can join the mission to help families thrive.