The year 2020 has been a challenging year for many around the world, and even more for vulnerable populations. Students experiencing homelessness are faced with many obstacles while living in crowded shelters and attending school virtually with limited resources. Since the pandemic, generous donors have helped HOPES to provide essential resources and academic support throughout the school year. However, during the long winter school break, students do not have opportunities for further academic enrichment until our program resumes. With your help, students can remain engaged with HOPES activity packages consisting of a STEAM activity kit, books, and a gift card for purchasing educational games. Your support this year will provide more than just a gift, but a gift of HOPE for every student living in our partner shelters.

Over the summer we witnessed firsthand how impactful activity kits are. Through a partnership with SkyArt, we distributed 300 art kits containing supplies such as colored pencils, watercolors, crayons, modeling clay, and more. Our students enjoyed expressing themselves through creative arts and were proud to show off their new masterpieces. Without the generosity of donors, students experiencing homelessness would not have such opportunities for creative enrichment while on school break.  

 Your participation this #GivingTuesday can help raise $13,125 to provide 175 HOPES activity packages for children living in Chicago's homeless shelters. 

Here's how you can help! Start your campaign today by creating a Facebook or Flipcause fundraiser.

1) Create a Facebook Fundraiser to encourage family and friends to support. Watch the video tutorial below.

OR

2) Create a Flipcause Fundraiser. Click here to sign up!

Here are some useful tools and tips to help you have a successful fundraiser! 

1. Personalize your fundraiser. Explain why HOPES mission is important to you, why you volunteer/give, or share an experience you have either supporting HOPES or working with children experiencing homelessness.
   
2. Share statistics.                 
3. Share posts on your social media. Feel free to use the following example posts/pictures or create your own. Make sure to tag us @ChiHOPESforkids. Include hashtags such as #GivingTuesday #ChicagoHOPESforKids #EndHomelessness #GiveHOPE #UnSelfie #IGiveBecause #Chicago #Literacy #Education

Sample Social Media Posts 

Did you know that Chicago Public Schools reported serving 16,451 homeless students during the 2018/19 school year? Chicago HOPES for Kids wants to continue to support students experiencing homelessness, especially during the pandemic. This #GivingTuesday, I’m asking for donations to support @ChiHOPESforKids. Your donation will help ensure students stay engaged during winter break with an activity package. Please donate to my fundraiser below! 

Chicago HOPES for Kids is a nonprofit that provides direct educational support to children living in Chicago’s homeless shelters. They are going the extra mile to ensure students stay engaged during winter break by providing an activity package that will include a STEAM kit, books, and a gift card for educational games. Please donate to my #GivingTuesday campaign to support this amazing organization! 

I'm choosing to support @chihopesforkids this #GivingTuesday because their mission is very important to me and I've seen first hand the impact this organization has had on so many children's lives.  [INSERT any personal experience or memory you have with HOPES] Please click the link to learn more and donate to my campaign. [INSERT bit.ly Link HERE to your FB Campaign]

This #GivingTuesday I’m asking for donations to support Chicago HOPES for Kids, a nonprofit providing educational support for children living in homeless shelters throughout Chicago. They also provide Parent Programs, Middle-school Programs, e-learning support, and a Summer Enrichment Program! This all-around approach is designed to educate, support, and encourage the children and their families to foster a love of learning in order to break the cycle of homelessness. Please consider donating to my #GivingTuesday fundraiser to raise funds for this important organization.