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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING FAMILY FOCUS ON ITS 175th ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, Family Focus's history of promoting children's well-being by supporting families dates back to 1849; and
WHEREAS, Family Focus's rich history is the result of a 2021 merger between Chicago Child Care Society (founded in 1849) and Family Focus (founded in 1976). This merger is the most significant accomplishment of the new Family Focus over the past five years; and
WHEREAS, this merger united CCCS and Family Focus' strengths, creating one organization dedicated to early childhood education, youth development, and family support services in under-resourced communities across Northeast Illinois; and
WHEREAS, founded more than 175 years ago, Chicago Child Care Society (CCCS) was the longest standing social service agency in Illinois. CCCS first opened its doors as the Chicago Orphan Asylum in 1849, when children were left homeless after their parents lost their lives to a cholera epidemic. Since then, CCCS has served Chicago's children throughout our country's historic events that shaped family needs - the Civil War, the Great Chicago Fire, WWI and WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars and the more recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; and
WHEREAS, in the mid-to-late 20th century, CCCS became well known for its adoption and foster care work and was a highly regarded authority and partner in establishing policies and regulations in the field. In 1974, CCCS celebrated its 125th anniversary by changing its name from Chicago Orphan Asylum to Chicago Child Care Society, better encompassing its responsive and community-centered programming designed to support the needs of the children and families; and
WHEREAS, in 1976, from her studies at the University of Chicago, University of Illinois, and Northwestern University, Bernice Weissbourd knew that parent support was key to early childhood development. With funding from her husband, Bernard Weissbourd, and Chicago businessman and philanth...
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