UCAN was front and center with our peers and partners in Springfield on May 14 for the Community Violence Intervention Advocacy Day & Rally. The focus? Connect with state legislators in the state capitol to advocate that they "Protect Progress" with continued funding of proven public safety initiatives.
Mix a late morning rally with team UCAN's meetings with elected officials including Rep. Yolonda Morris, Rep. La Shawn Ford and Rep. Nabeela Syed and we were excited to join the critical collective effort to share moving and telling evidence of how CVI work protects and saves lives everywhere.
Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to all those who inspire, support, and care for us and our community. 💚
UCAN was thrilled to support Senator Lakesia Collins' Mother's Day Block Party for a sixth year in a row! After proudly hosting for five years, the celebration outgrew our North Lawndale campus and was held at Douglass Park on Saturday, May 9th.
This incredible event brought together over 100 community partners to honor mothers and female caregivers and uplift families. Featuring kids activities, giveaways, small businesses, health and wellness vendors, and free household items, the abundance of the West Side and its connectedness was on full display.
UCAN CEO Christa Hamilton shared our continued support and also greeted elected leaders celebrating alongside Senator Collins, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Senate President Don Harmon, and Cook County Clerk Mariyana Spyropoulos.
@1christah@senlakesiacollins@chicagosmayor@ilsecofstate@donharmon39@clerkspyropoulos
#HappyMothersDay
On May 7th, over 100 members of our UCAN family gathered at our locations across the city to come together and celebrate National Day of Prayer. This event was wonderfully led by Pastor Fred Wilson, our Faith & Community Manager, and SP1RIT.
We uplifted our voices and shared what was on our hearts, all in the spirit of being the best individuals and team for those we serve. 💚
It's always a (productive) pleasure to welcome Rep. Sean Casten (6th) to UCAN to discuss priorities and ideas of mutual interest to our team and to the congressman and his constituents.
Whether the topic is the state of federal funding, local initiatives that support the youth and families we serve, or new and proposed policies that impact families, the meetings are always fruitful, forward-looking and frank. Thanks. Rep. Casten for your continued support of and interest in UCAN and our commitment to supporting youth and families, which we've done now for 157 years (and counting).
@repseancasten@1christah
#UCAN #UCANChicago
✨WE ARE ONE WEEK AWAY✨
JOIN US at Share the Love '26- Mix, Move & Amplify the Mission!
📆May 13th, 2026
📍Civic Opera House Rooftop
Share the Love is a night of celebrating community and uplifting UCAN's programs and youth 💚 Guests will enjoy a curated cocktail-making class followed by an exciting line-dancing lesson!
🎫 Tickets are available for just $50 at /sharethelove
We can't wait to see you there! 🎊
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Malisha Dunigan at [email protected].
In 1869, members of St. Pauls United Church of Christ saw a need to care for children in the wake of the Civil War and began the organization that we are today.
As we close National Volunteer Month, we would like to honor these volunteers who stepped forward this month to meet the needs of youth in their community. They are part of the 497 volunteers who worked alongside us for 1,214 hours last year, expanding our network of support.
Let this be your sign to get involved with us!
Thank you to these partners who showed up for us this month and year-round:
@empoweredcreativesproject@bmo_us@shatarshianoble@chicagocares@uicslce
We are excited to introduce Tonya Bew and sponsor Line Dancing with Ton for Share the Love '26- Mix, Move & Amplify the Mission! ✨
Tonya is the owner and instructor of Line Dancing with TON, bringing over 20 years of experience and energy to the dance floor. Known for her focus on repetition, confidence-building, and real dance floor readiness, Tonya creates a fun, welcoming space for all levels. We can't wait for Tonya to have us moving across the dance floor at Share the Love!
Join us for Share the Love:
📆May 13th, 2026
📍Civic Opera House Rooftop
Guests at Share the Love will get to participate in a curated cocktail-making class along with the line-dancing lesson! Come mingle with fellow professionals and changemakers and meet UCAN's incredible Auxiliary Board.
🎫 Tickets are available for just $50! Your purchase supports life-changing programs at UCAN. Purchase your ticket today at https://hubs.la/Q049CQQS0
We can't wait to see you there! 💚
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Malisha Dunigan at [email protected].
The proposed legislation known as the BRIDGES for Kids Act was the topic of an informative in-person panel discussion on April 21 that included UCAN CEO Christa Hamilton and her peers.
The Child Welfare League of America and the office of Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) organized the panel to address the senator's proposed legislation (the “Better Results through In-community Delivery, Greater Enforcement, and Stronger Services (BRIDGES) for Kids Act.”) The legislation takes a multi-step approach to improving the care of children who have mental health needs and children in the child welfare system and focuses on investing in community-centered solutions, increasing oversight of residential treatment facilities and improving conditions at RTFs. The Senate Office Building in Arlington, VA, was the site for the discussion that addressed communities’ lack of a robust mental and behavioral health service system.
Happy Earth Day! UCAN proudly provides leadership to several committees of NLCCC, including GROWSS (Greening, Reclaiming, Open Space, Soil, and Sustainability).
Last Saturday, GROWSS helped organize a day of beautification with 100+ volunteers picking up litter and spreading protective mulch at all five of Douglass Park's playgrounds. Mayor Brandon Johnson, Park Commissioner, and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa is the General Superintendent and CEO, and Alderwoman Monique Scott kicked off the day of rewarding labor ending with a shared lunch.
Many hands brought this beautiful event to life, including @alderwomanscott , @commissionerscott , @chicagoparks , @friends_of_the_parks , @riot_fest , @chicagocares , @lawndale_health , @9thdistrictstaterepyolandamorris , @thedouglass18 , Sheila's at Douglass 18, @lawndalepopupspot , Litter-Free Lawndale, @oacchicago , and @ucanchicagoland .
Keep it clean and beautiful out there!
We are excited to introduce DJ Dante and sponsor X World Music Ecosystem for Share the Love '26- Mix, Move & Amplify the Mission! ✨
Dante is a Chicago based artist, producer, creative director, music educator and the founder of X World, a creative ecosystem in Chicago supporting independent artists. We can't wait to have DJ Dante curate some amazing music for the event!
Join us for Share the Love:
📆May 13th, 2026
📍Civic Opera House Rooftop
Guests at Share the Love will get to participate in a curated cocktail-making class and enjoy an exciting line-dancing lesson! Come mingle with fellow professionals and changemakers and meet UCAN's incredible Auxiliary Board.
🎫 Tickets are available for just $50! Your purchase supports life-changing programs at UCAN. Purchase your ticket today at https://hubs.la/Q049CQQS0
We can't wait to see you there! 💚
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Malisha Dunigan at [email protected].
@xworldhq
🎊 Mark your calendars- the 27th Annual UCAN Leadership Awards are here! 🎊
It is time for an unforgettable evening honoring UCAN's incredible youth, programs, and community partners!
Join us:
📆 Friday, June 12, 2026
📍 Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago
🕑 Reception 5:30 | Dinner and Program 6:30
💚 Dress in cocktail attire with a splash of green!
This year's theme, Built for Pressure, highlights UCAN's relentless impact, made possible by YOU. We can't wait to celebrate together✨
Visit /ula for more information.
#UCAN #ULA2026 #BuiltForPressure
We are excited to introduce the Mixologist, Jacyara de Oliveira, and generous in-kind sponsor, Apologue Spirited Liqueurs, for Share the Love '26- Mix, Move & Amplify the Mission! ✨
Jacyara is a spirits industry professional and life-long Chicagoan. Her expertise as the Director of Operations and Strategy for Apologue Cocktail Company is sure to make for a fun and hands-on cocktail-making class!
Join us for Share the Love:
📆May 13th, 2026
📍Civic Opera House Rooftop
Along with the curated cocktail-making class, our guests will get to enjoy an exciting line-dancing lesson! Come mingle with fellow professionals and changemakers and meet UCAN's incredible Auxiliary Board.
🎫 Tickets are available for just $50! Your purchase supports life-changing programs at UCAN. Purchase your ticket today at https://hubs.la/Q049CQQS0
We can't wait to see you there! 💚
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Malisha Dunigan at [email protected].
@jacyaramargret@apologueliqueurs
