LYDIA Home

Reflecting on what a wonderful event it was with Barb Clark this month for our FASD training "Innovative Strategies for Complex Behaviors" -- As Barb put it, "There are so many amazing humans out there showing up every day for kids and families in beautiful, exhausting, imperfect, hopeful ways" and we could not agree more! Thank you to all who attended!

WE’RE HIRING!
Join us at our Evanston Hiring Event! We’ll be conducting interviews and hiring qualified candidates on the spot.

📍 1101 Washington St, Evanston, IL 60202
📅 Thursday, May 28 & Friday, May 29
⏰ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Scan the QR code in the flyer or click the link below to register: https://forms.gle/HaZprbEiJfBCrHBZ9

🚨Footsteps for Families 2026 is just around the corner! Come hang out with us and the kids to celebrate!!

Take steps with Safe Families & LYDIA Home on Saturday, June 13th for our 4th Annual Footsteps for Families 1-Mile Fun Run & Family Fun Day celebrating LYDIA’s 110th Anniversary from 10am-1pm. Featuring music, food, games, activities, and fun for all ages! ☀️ 🎉

Register and create your team today:
https://raceroster.com/events/2026/117714/footsteps-for-families

Piece by piece you're helping to build our playground! 🧩🧩
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You all showed up last week as we announced our playground puzzle campaign and made a wonderful impact to get the board started!
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All claimed pieces are updated and if you'd like to contribute, please comment your piece below and donate at the link in the comments! (You can also leave a comment when you donate with your numbers you'd like to fill!) If you are unable to donate, please share with a friend, a group, share it on your page and ask them to contribute.
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Every dollar counts...
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This playground isn't a simple thing for our kids, it is a place they get to imagine, play, let out energy, exercise, and truly feel like a "kid". The current playground has sections that are no longer usable, and we have so much hope we can complete this puzzle to build them a new one.
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Thank you for sharing, giving, and taking the time to make our kids a priority in your life.

Many thanks to Mario DiLorenzo, Realtor, Keller Williams One Chicago and the Keller Williams ONEChicago teams for spending their RED Day at Lydia Home! ❤️

Your generosity and heart for our community truly shined through. We’re so grateful for your commitment to giving where you live!

In celebrating 110 years of Lydia Home, Chrissie Lyons’ story stands as a powerful reflection of both the hard truths of foster care and the hope that can follow.
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She came into foster care as a kid carrying more than she ever should have, unsure of where she belonged or who she could trust. But at Lydia Home, she found people who truly cared—people who showed her love, stability, and helped her start believing in herself.
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Over time, she discovered her passion for archery, and through hard work, went on to do amazing things, including becoming a member of the United States Archery Team and a world record holder.
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When she's not out breaking world records, she continues to pour back into the home and cause that is so close to her heart; You’ll find Chrissie donating her time to her nonprofit, Arrows of Hope (AOH). Through AOH, she’s now helping other kids in foster care find something they love and build confidence, just like she did. Her story is a simple but powerful reminder of what can happen when a child is given a chance.
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If you'd like to support our kids in being a part of activities like Chrissie's nonprofit, you can head to lydiahome.org/donate to donate to our "enrichment clubs" to support gear and lessons.
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Considering helping a child find a home? We have children waiting today, yes, ready for a home! These kids just need someone to stand in the gap for them, do you have an open room in your home? Sign up for a time for a foster care information session at lydiahome.org/foster

Innovative Strategies for Complex Behaviors!

Don't forget to register! Free to attend both in person and virtually. Earn CEUs and foster parent training hours if needed, or just attend if you wish to learn more, all are welcome!

More details here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovative-strategies-for-complex-behaviors-related-to-fasd-may-67-9a-4p-tickets-1985143496637

Did you know, 1/20 children may have an FASD? Surprisingly, more people are affected by FASD today than autism, and it often goes unfound.

This dynamic training is appropriate for parents (biological, foster or adoptive) who are raising kids who may have been exposed to alcohol prenatally, as well as anyone who interacts with kids on a professional, volunteer or social basis.

Speaker Barb Clark brings experience, expertise and humor as she educates and gives practical guidance you can use.

✨ Free to attend with invaluable knowledge for parents and caregivers, join us!

Innovative Strategies for Complex Behaviors Related to FASD May 6 & 7. This two-day conference (in person or virtual) will transform the way you see and respond to challenging behavior.

Every child who walks through our doors should have the chance to experience the joys of childhood to the fullest, but as of last month, our slide is not usable and the entire playground structure needs to be removed and replaced. ​
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We have received multiple quotes and have quite the goal to achieve to make this possible for the kids. Will you consider making a donation to our playground fund?
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Help us make their home feel like HOME!

Lydia Home Playground!