Closing the Opportunity Gap

Christopher House’s two-generation approach is closing the opportunity gap through a continuum of personalized education with immersive family support starting at birth.

A Letter from Our CEO

More than a century ago, Christopher House was inspired by a simple, yet important insight: all children deserve the opportunity for success. It is this powerful concept that has driven our continual evolution to meet the needs of our community—from supporting immigrants transitioning to life in America at the turn of the 20th century, to being one of the first Head Start providers in the 1960s, to offering innovative teen parent programs in the 1980s. Today, we remain committed to our original vision, and continue to support thousands of low-income children and their families in our continuum of education.

In this newsletter, you will see the incredible results of our data-driven model and inspiring stories of support and success. These gains make me so hopeful for our city and country’s future, and so proud to share something even more exciting: we’re growing.

By 2020, through the completion of the JoAnne L. Cicchelli Middle School, Christopher House will welcome more than 200 new scholars to our continuum of education. These children will prosper from our unique approach—focusing on a high-quality personalized curriculum and whole child development starting at birth. And, their parents will be able to be the best they can be—with our immersive family support, including counseling, workshops on financial and family planning, access to our food pantries, emergency assistance funds, and support groups.

With your support, Christopher House’s two-generation approach is effectively and directly changing the trajectory for children born into poverty. I sincerely thank you for believing in our scholars and their families’ ability to thrive.

Please join me in continuing to invest in our growth and the potential of these incredible children and families. Together we can build a vibrant, thriving Chicago.

Sincerely,

Lori BaasChief Executive Officer

November 2018

OUR VALUES

Commitment to Excellence

Achievement and Perseverance

Respect and Compassion

Equality of Opportunity

OUR BELIEFSChildren and families thrive when:

They have access to a high-quality education

Education begins at birth, with parents as the first teacher, and continues through life

Parents have high standards and set high expectations for their children and themselves

Professionally trained teachers use strength-based instruction and know their students as individuals

Parents support their children financially and emotionally

Evaluations and program adjustments are data driven

Education includes developing perseverance and social intelligence

Parents and teachers work together to continuously improve programs

Real Results

70%6th grade mathnational growth

percentile*

Top Quartile5th grade math and

reading national growth percentile*

88%Early childhood

students prepared in literacy for

kindergarten**

94% Early Childhood

studentsprepared in Math for

kindergarten**

76%Early childhood

students prepared forkindergarten***

#1 CHES ranked top

Charter ElementarySchool by Chicago

Magazine

* NWEA Assessment Spring 2018** Kindergarten Readiness Matirx© 2018 - All Students *** Kindergarten Readiness Matirx© 2018 - Students without IEPs

“You can’t teach a child without family. This is what makes the difference, when you’re able to partner with the family.”

-Karen Ross-Williams, Director of Early Childhood Education and Youth Development

83%After School students

improved their GPA or maintained a

B average

96%Early childhood

students prepared in social emotional for

kindergarten***

RECENT WINSWashington Post and

Hechinger Report feature articles highlighting our unique

model’s success.

Karen Ross-Williams, Director of Early Childhood Education

and Youth Development, named Barbara Bowman

Fellow at Erikson Institute.

Christopher House Elementary School Principal Krissy Novy

named a Chicago Public Schools “Game Changer.”

Capital Campaign Donors

JoAnne L. Cicchelli has been a member of the Christopher House Board of Directors since 1995. As a board member, she has been instrumental in developing Christopher House into the top-rated family of schools it is today.

Ms. Cicchelli is a fervent advocate for education and children in need. “JoAnne believes passionately in both the mission of Christopher House and the success it has had in achieving that mission.” said JoAnne’s husband, Bill Singer. “JoAnne is as passionate about this next phase of Christopher House’s work, as she has been over the last 20 years of its efforts.”

The next phase of Christopher House’s work began on October 24, 2018, at the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the JoAnne L. Cicchelli Middle School. Joined by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, her husband, and many supporters of the Campaign for Thriving Families, JoAnne broke ground on construction of her namesake middle school. The school, which will be completed in time to welcome the first ever class of seventh graders in

the fall of 2019, will feature a college counseling office, a rooftop garden, STEAM and language arts labs, and a performing arts studio.

As Ms. Cicchelli said at the groundbreaking, “Everyone in this room understands and appreciates the value of education, and the great problems we have as a city, a nation, and a world when good education is not provided. Education is a lifelong experience. It is best right from the start. (Irving Harris.) That is what Christopher House is about, and now we go further—through the 8th grade.”

We didn’t just break ground on a construction site— we broke ground on a brighter future for our scholars and their families, and the 200 new students we’ll be able to serve and welcome into the Christopher House family.

JoAnne L. Cicchelli Middle School

$10,000 - $49,999Rolando Acosta Steven and Karen Berkowitz Blackwell Consulting Services, L.L.C. The Field Foundation of Illinois First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest Friedman Family Foundation Jeffrey Hammes Donald and Lois Hartung Andrew and Laurie Hochberg Jim Houlihan and Ann Tighe Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family FoundationJohn Kelly Howard Krane Dave and Dawn Langhamer Larry and Carol Levy LISC/Chicago William and Susan LloydMaxine Marcussen Robert and Ruth McDonald Joyce McGlade James J. Morgan Howard and Sandra NagelbergNorthern Trust Company Nana Y. Owusu and Jillian Radke Jerry Pientka Richard Porter Rick Smirl and Holly Halsted-Smirl Gregory and Margaret Spitzer Matthew Steinmetz Ambassador Louis and Marjorie Susman Glenn and Jacqueline Tilton Kimberly White Elizabeth Whitehorn and Matthew Reilein

$1,000 - $9,999Adnan and Shaima Assad Lori Baas Ronit and Brian BarrettBarrington Presbyterian Women Helen V. Brach Foundation Shawn M. Donnelley Fund Mary and Owen HeathDiane Heller Tom and Sally Hilgendorf The Horwich Family Foundation Michael and Lindy KeiserJeff and Rhea Kemerley Sally Kilham Barb and Don Larson Daniel and Eileen LynchPat Makeever Susan Manilow Paul Martin and Michelle Arnold George Reimnitz Irving Stenn, Jr. Tom and Tina Tromiczak Dale and Nancy Turken

$300,000+ Peter Bowe and Barbara Stewart Robert Buono and Liz Cicchelli JoAnne Cicchelli and William Singer Illinois Capital Development Board Estate of Harry Hill Lawson Paul Hastings LLPPolk Bros. Foundation U.S. Department of Health and Human Services U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

$100,000 - $299,999 The Bronstein Family Rick and Dee Dee Chesley Anthony ChiminoThe Chicago Community Trust Mark and Lisa Fishman FamilyJordan and Debra Hadelman James Hardie Building Products Inc.

$50,000 - $99,999 Beaumont Foundation of America Christopher House Women’s Auxiliary Ellis Goodman Family FoundationKirkland & Ellis Foundation John Mitola Thomas O’Neill and Ann DavidStephen and Shiloh Raquet David W. Rodin United Airlines, In Support of Technology Brian and Janet Weed

The Rosenmayer Family FundMichael and Cari SacksSmithfield PropertiesUnited Scrap Metal - The Serlin Family U.S. Cellular Thomas and Emily Woodrow

As of October 23, 2018

In recent years, the research on the importance of early childhood has been clear: early education matters.

New numbers released by the Illinois State Board of Education suggest that only 24% of kindergartners in Illinois are actually ready for school. The data also shows that a well-documented achievement gap between rich and poor kids exists before kindergarten. On average, only 16% of kids who qualify for free or reduced lunches were ready for kindergarten. 76% of Christopher House students* are kindergarten ready — 87% when excluding students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs). It should be noted that 100% of our students receive free or reduced lunch.The missing piece? The bridge to elementary.

At Christopher House, Principal Krissy Novy and Director of Early Childhood and Youth Development Karen Ross-Williams, have done a great deal of intentional work building that bridge. Karen Ross-Williams summed it up nicely stating, “we understand that the intensity of collaboration will lead to higher classroom quality and have a positive effect on student outcomes (school readiness). The collaboration between the preschool and elementary school is defining emergent learning from birth to 8th grade and closing the opportunity gap for at risk children.”

With an early childhood program that starts at birth, we offer a continuum of personalized education from infancy through elementary. The major components of our concerted efforts to bridge early childhood and elementary for both student and school success:

Consistent Assessment. Our Early Childhood (EC) students (Pre-K) are assessed on the same literacy tool as Christopher House Elementary School (CHES) kindergartners. This allows cohesive sharing and joint analysis. Early Intervention. CHES teachers collaborate with EC

teachers using the multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) in the Pre-K classrooms. This enables EC teachers to address their students’ behavioral and academic performance at an individual level. Social-Emotional Synergy. Social-emotional philosophy

and strategies align between EC and CHES, and we leverage similar tools allowing students to build their emotional competence systematically.

Kindergarten Readiness Matrix. Our kindergarten teachers developed a matrix with higher standards than the KIDS assessments. Pre-K teachers have integrated the matrix into their curriculum. Cross-Departmental Collaboration. Year-end meetings

allow current Pre-K teachers, future kindergarten teachers, social workers, and diverse learners staff to perform an in-depth review to develop each student’s future personalized learning program.

To learn how you can support Kindergarten Readiness and help Christopher House build bridges to eliminate the opportunity gap, please contact Penne Silverman at PSilverman@ChristopherHouse.org

Building the Bridge Between Early Childhood and Elementary School

*These students were enrolled at Christopher House for 2+ years

United Scrap Metal and Serlin Family Grow Support of Christopher HouseUnited Scrap Metal, an award-winning provider of innovative recycling solutions, has expanded its support of Christopher House and commitment to closing the opportunity gap for those born into low-income communities. Led by the company’s Founder and CEO, Marsha Serlin, and President, Brad Serlin, the company has made a commitment of $250,000 to Christopher House’s Campaign for Thriving Families that will fund the rooftop garden and environmental learning lab, which will provide learning experiences in urban agriculture and sustainability for students through the 8th grade.

United Scrap first supported Christopher House in 2011. Anthony “Tony” Chimino, a member of Christopher House’s Board of Directors, introduced Christopher House CEO, Lori Baas, to Brad Serlin through the Vistage Group. The mission quickly resonated with Brad, and especially Marsha, who started United Scrap in a time of hardship as a single mother with only $200 and a rental truck. Today, United Scrap employs more than 250 individuals and does close to $300 million in business each year.

In addition to the company and its leadership’s investments in Christopher House, a growing number of employees have

volunteered with Christopher House, spearheaded by Jamie Lass, Director of Account Management. Jamie first learned of Christopher House after attending the 2015 Annual Benefit with United Scrap.

“I was so inspired by the vision and achievements that I needed to get more involved right away,” says Jamie. “I am very fortunate to work for a company that supports community involvement and continues to encourage me to explore ways to support organizations that we are passionate about.”

Jamie has been instrumental in organizing the annual Read-A-Thon and has most enjoyed building the at-home libraries of our young scholars. “Being able to see the students’ smiling faces when they receive their very own books to bring home is unforgettable,” says Jamie. “Literacy is such an important part of a child’s development and to have even the smallest impact on helping to nurture this is incredibly joyful for me.”

Christopher House is incredibly grateful to United Scrap Metal, Marsha, Brad and Jamie and thanks them on behalf of our scholars and their families.

Become an Investor in Success TodayEach 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 Development Meaghan Jennings at mjennings@christopherhouse.org or at 773-922-7584.

$1,000 – 2,499 cont’dMarguerite DixenJeff FriedrichRaul Katie GarzaSue GatesLawrence GilroyCynthia and John GrazianDonald and Lois HartungAndrew and Laurie HochbergICF Consulting Group, Inc.Janene IngramMichael and Dana KanovitzFrederick KaplanGrant Kaufman and Earl

PerlowThomas and Kay KellyDaniel and Lisa KlarasKaren KnippenScott and Karen KremeirerCharles H. KurtzSteve and Dorothy LarrickLifetouch National School

StudiosAngela LockhartYvonne LozanoLynn and Mike LulloSam and Terry MaackGene and Barbara MackevichThe Mail HouseJohn and Patti Mannebach

Robert and Lynn MarcocchioChristine MarzulloMr. Roger and Mrs. Anina

McCarronMGB DesignersMichael and Lori MulhernSuzanne MyersDoug NelsonBrian NixKevin NoonanThe Honorable Barack Obama

and Mrs. ObamaOpen KitchensThomas and Kathy PalmerSean and Lina ParnellKevin and Heather PhillipsPlante MoranPower Construction CompanyChad PoznanskyChris ProutyWilliam ReidingerJeff Renterghem and Wendy

BorgTom and Vicki RosenbluthTrish and Dan RyanGary SaguiMichael SharpeZiemowit and Gosia

SmulkowskiGregory and Margaret SpitzerMr. and Mrs. Frank Stanhope

Avy and Marcie SteinDavid SuchomskiJanet SwensonThe Millard GroupNahva and Felix TollincheTom and Tina TromiczakWilson and Linda TroutmanRobert VyverbergKeith WagnerWheeler Kearns ArchitectsMonica and Alexander

WilliamsMr. Robert WolffThe XCEL GroupMr. Joe ZitomerEdward and Patricia ZurekZurich

Please visit christopherhouse.org to see the full 2018 Fiscal Year Donor List!

Thank You to Our Donors July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018

We’ve got spirit!Yes we do!

We kicked off our first-ever sports program this fall with a pep rally! Together with VIPs retired Bears defensive end

Israel Idonije and school mascot Ollie the Owl.

Christopher House students now have the opportunity to

participate in volleyball, soccer, cheerleading, and flag football.

Sports are a key part of developing values like teamwork, respect, and hard work. Values that will help Christopher House students excel in school, in work,

and in life.

We’ve got spirit!How about you?

You can support Christopher House athletes by donating today!

$10: one mouthguard$20: equipment for the year

$50: team uniform $150: 1 year sponsorship

$200: bus ride to away game

Classroom Circle

$50,000 – 100,000+CME Group FoundationPaul M. Angell Family

FoundationAnonymousThe Crown FamilyExelon CorporationEllis Goodman Family

FoundationIMC Chicago Charitable

FoundationPolk Bros. FoundationTeen REACH

Family Circle

$25,000 – 49,999Chicago Department of Family

Support ServicesRick and Dee Dee ChesleyAnthony ChiminoMary M. Hasten FoundationRobert R. McCormick

FoundationRBC Capital MarketsStephen and Shiloh Raquet

Teacher Circle

$10,000 – 24,999Anonymous (x2)Balasa Dinverno Foltz LLCBank of America - Illinois

FoundationSteve and Kate BrownPerry and Julie BumpRobert Buono and Elizabeth

CicchelliCIGNAPatrick and Anna M. Cudahy

FundEducation Corporation of

AmericaFirst Midwest BankMeredith and Brock FlagstadLloyd A. Fry FoundationGoldman, Sachs & Co.Leo S. Guthman FundTherese and David HainesHolland & KnightHouse of Vans

IngenuityJenner & BlockKenilworth Union ChurchThomas S. Elizabeth S.

MaentzNorth Shore ExchangePaul Hastings LLPPresbytery of ChicagoJames and Patricia RaquetStu and Tatum ReedDavid W. RodinRooney Rippie &

Ratnaswamy LLPStarcom WorldwideBarbara Stewart and Peter

BoweThe Strobel Family Charitble

FundTopfer Family FoundationUnited AirlinesUnited Scrap Metal, Inc.Andrew and Betsy WeilWintrust Community BanksXL Catlin

Mentor Circle

$5,000 - 9,999Accident FundAll ChicagoAnonymous (x3)Bank of America Merrill LynchPaul and Linda BartmanGreg and Carol BattonBill CarrCradles to CrayonsCubs CharitiesDLA Piper US LLPCharles DouglasEimer Stahl LLPEOI Service CompanyMark and Lisa Fishman FamilyMatt GibsonMatthew Gray and The Avrum

Gray Family FundJordan and Debra HadelmanJohn Harney, and familyMichael and Lindy KeiserJeff and Rhea KemerleyMeltzer, Purtill & Stelle LLCThomas MikkelsonRealis GroupMVP StaffingNorthern Trust CompanyThe Honorable Bruce V. and

Mrs. Diana M. RaunerBrad SerlinWilliam Blair

Advocate Circle

$2,500 – 4,999Luis ArguelloAlan BrodyChristopher House AuxiliaryAndrew and Carmela CorsiniJohn DeBlasioChristine DonovanErikson InstituteFirst Presbyterian Church of

Arlington HeightsAnthony and Jennifer FoutMia and Mark FurlongThe Horton Group, Inc.Ingredion IncorporatedINTRENCraig IsacsonMitzi JohnsonDaniel and Eileen LynchSteve and Ellen and Ellen

MardiksMatt MikulaNorconThomas O’Neill and Ann DavidPappageorge Haymes Ltd.Faye Paul and Mr. Arthur

LipovetskyPresbyterian Church of

BarringtonLisa SauerDavid Schroeder

Southminster Presbyterian Church

Robin Steans and Leonard GailTangent TechnologiesKimberly White

Student Circle

$1,000 – 2,499Aetna, Inc.After School MattersAnonymousArkes Family FoundationMichael and Helen ArkesPaul Martin and Michelle

ArnoldAtomatic Mechanical Services,

INC.Avison YoungForrest BaileyBarack FerrazzanoGwendolyn BarnesDean BarsnessSteven and Karen BerkowitzDan BinegarJeffrey BlackburnStacey Joe BlaskoJeff Renterghem and Wendy

BorgJim and Mimi BraultSeth and Julia BriggsMichael and Deborah BuckCNADermody Properties

FoundationChris and Karen Dickerson

Thank You to Our Donors July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018 Annual Fund

“My school is not just any ordinary school, but it’s a school where all scholars are able to learn, dream, and achieve their goals.” - Camilla Ruelas, Class of 2021

Camilla Ruelas with her parents and Mayor Rahm Emanuel after she delivered her speech at the groundbreaking ceremony. Camila is in 6th grade and is a member of our first graduating class.

PARENT SCHOOL Fosters the skills parents need to raise happy, healthy children. Our Teen and Adult Parent and Prenatal School prepares parents for birth, and educates parents to be a child’s “first teacher.” The school creates a strong support system for parents with social workers, food pantries, and emergency financial assistance.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLAn innovative school model offering a continuum of education for children kindergarten through eighth grade. The school’s rigorous college prep curriculum develops critical thinkers who will succeed in high school, college, and beyond.

AFTER SCHOOL Promotes academic achievement, self-confidence, and positive decision-making skills for children and youth. We offer tutoring, enrichment activities, field trips, college and career prep, and more.

INFANT & PRESCHOOLInternationally renowned, full-day early childhood schools serve children from six weeks to five years old. Our schools advance literacy, motor skills, positive social behavior, cognitive development, math skills, and long-term success.

Family of Schools

Christopher House closes the opportunity gap through a continuum of personalized education with immersive family support starting at birth.

Get Involved

Immersive Family

Support

Personalized Learning

Continuum Starting at birth

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!

Read-a-Thon 2019Join us to celebrate the love of reading with our scholars! The Read-A-Thon, opens their imagination, sparks creativity, and builds vocabulary and literacy skills. Volunteer to share your favorite childhood book, and collect donations to help create more robust classroom and home libraries.

Holiday Food Drive& Family to Family Holidays are a time of family, food, and generosity. Help our families enjoy a special day of hope. Collect food for special Thanksgiving meals or be paired with a family - or multiple families - to help give families in need a joyful holiday season.

29th Annual Benefit Save the date to join us for our largest fundraiser of the year! This year our benefit will be held on May 9, 2019 at the Four Seasons Chicago.

Visit ChristopherHouse.org for more information on how to get involved, buy tickets, or donate!

You can help a familiy reach their full potential.

VISIT CHRISTOPHERHOUSE.ORGLearn how you can join the mission to help families thrive.

5235 W. Belden Ave.Chicago, IL 60639

-Mariano Agosto, Parent of Melanie, Early Childhood and now Second Grade

“When her mom passed, I was so lost – what am I supposed to do? I’m a single dad, I work, I take care of my parents – it’s kind of hard. Christopher House basically guided me through it to where I am.”