Non-profit gets statewide attention for W. Chicago work
In its 30th year of work, a groundbreaking DuPage charitable organization is being recognized for its innovative West Chicago after-school program.
Earlier this month, Breaking Free was named a finalist in the fourth annual statewide National City Children's Champion Award, along with 15 other charitable organizations.
Finalists receive a donation of $1,000. A single winner will be announced and granted $10,000 on Oct. 30 at the annual Kids Count dinner presented by National City's partner in the award, Voices for Illinois Children.
The award honors organizations that work toward improving children's education and general well-being. In choosing finalists, National City concentrates on lasting impact, said Julie Stalets, the community relations manager for National City.
Anyone can nominate an organization for the award. More than 200 names were sent to National City this year.
"It was very difficult to narrow it down. There are so many good organizations out there," Stalets said. But, "with Breaking Free, everyone felt that it exemplifies what this award is all about."
Breaking Free started 30 years ago as a grassroots group based in Aurora. Over the decades, it grew, and in 1999, the organization took on one of its biggest projects -- a partnership with West Chicago Elementary District 33 to provide an after-school program called Stars.
In its first year, 25 kids enrolled. Then the partners won a state grant to fund the project, leading to a quadrupling in the number of children it helped. This year, five District 33 schools are participating in the program, for a total of 225 at-risk students in grades 2-8.
For free, the kids attend after-school sessions four days a week from 2:45 to 5 p.m., then get bused home. They get tutoring, take classes in drug and violence prevention and nutrition, and receive a snack. There is also a summer program for elementary-age students.
"We've seen a big impact," said Kate Hodgson, Stars program coordinator. "Some of the kids who were in the program when it first started are now program aides for me.
"There's not a lot available that is low cost and comprehensive," she said. "I think its really important to reach out to the community and give them whatever support we can."
Next year is the last year for the state grade funding of the project, but Hodgson is hopeful of its renewal. If Breaking Free wins the $10,000 National City prize, the money will go toward bridging the gap between the end of the current grant and the beginning of the next one.
For more information, visit www.nationalcity.com, www.voices4kids.org, or www.breakingfreeinc.org.