May 15 @ 7:30 am – 9:30 am
Save the Date!
Join Brightpoint for breakfast and an opportunity to listen to experts and program participants discuss the need to end foster care as we know it.
Together, we can untangle the root causes of child neglect and continue BREAKING BARRIERS. CENTERING FAMILIES. TRANSFORMING SYSTEMS.
7:30am – 8:00am
Registration & Networking
8:00am – 9:30am
Breakfast & Program
Meet Sixto Cancel, Breaking Barriers Speaker
Sixto Cancel is the Founder and CEO of Think of Us. Think of Us (TOU) is a Research + Design Lab driving systematic change in child welfare. Through focused projects and sweeping initiatives, TOU drives structural changes in child welfare policy and practice.
Sixto was named as Forbes Top 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneurs and is on the 2021 Forbes Under30 Lister Board. Sixto has been recognized by the White House as a “White House Champion of Change”, a “Millennial Maker” by BET, and named “Top 24 Changemakers in Government under 24” by the Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council and Sparkaction. Sixto has served as a Young Fellow at Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative since 2010 where he has played a key role in the initiative’s work of extending foster care permanency for older youth.
Sixto is a Clinton Global Initiative University Alum, a FastForward Alum, an Ashoka Fellow, a Board Member of Adventr – an interactive SMART video tech company – and most recently on the Advisory Board for Box, Inc. Sixto and the team at Think of Us are working to ensure that every person has the conditions they need to heal, develop and thrive.
Watch Sixto’s TED Talk Here
Registration
Click here to purchase tickets or sponsorships by May 11th.
Sponsorship
Review our sponsorship opportunities.
Donations
In lieu of attending, please click here to make a gift.
Location
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April 27 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Fairview Park
949 N Main St, Normal, IL 61761-1501
Why we run/walk
The annual race is in memory of young Duncan and Jack and Leichtenberg of LeRoy, victims of domestic violence.
Please join us on Saturday, April 27th for our run/walk to help change lives. All proceeds from the race go to the Family Visitation Center
The only one of its kind in the McLean County region. The center provides a safe, neutral child friendly environment for supervised visitation and exchanges for families where there is an active order of protection in place.
Race Details
Fairview Park in Normal
9:30am – Check-in/Registration
10am – Bubble release
10:15am – 1 Mile walk begins
10:30am – 5K run begins
Cost
$40 per participant 13yrs and up
$10 per participant 6-12yrs
$90 family of 4
Free for 5 and under
Strollers and dogs are welcome.
Registration
All participants must register
Online registration closes Thursday, April 25th at 5pm. On-Site registration at the event will be available.
You can register here.
Donation
If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation. You can donate here.
Volunteer
Sign up here to be a volunteer for this event!
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
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September 12 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Save the Date!
Venue West
221 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60612
More details to follow.
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June 12 @ 6:30 am – 8:00 am
Save the Date!
DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington
10 Brickyard Drive, Bloomington, IL 61701
More details to follow.
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During Stuff the Bus, we invite the community to help us stuff a Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) bus with anything and everything you might need to care for littles –diapers (sizes 4 and up), pull ups, wipes, formula, snacks, clothing (NB-Youth S), cleaning supplies, you name it!
Dates and Location:
April 4th: 10am-6pm at Sam’s Club (7151 Walton St, Rockford, IL 61108)
April 5th: 10am-6pm at Sam’s Club (7151 Walton St, Rockford, IL 61108)
April 6th: 10am-6pm at Sam’s Club (7151 Walton St, Rockford, IL 61108)
Volunteer
Sign up to volunteer during our Stuff the Bus event.
Donate
We are accepting cash donations, diapers in all sizes, gift cards, games, toys, batteries, baby food, juice, bottles, sippy cups, child-friendly soaps and lotions, laundry detergent, fabric softener, pacifiers and teething rings.
Sponsor Stuff the Bus
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Fill out this form!
Thank you to our partners!
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April 27 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Wilson Park
2900 Benton St, Granite City, IL 62040
Schedule of events:
8:00 am – Check-in & Kids Activities
9:15 am – Race Intro
9:30 am – 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run Kickoff
Pricing:
$30 – 19 and older
$10 – 6–18 yrs.
Free – 5 and under
Registration
Register for the run now!
Sponsor
Sponsor this event by using this link, or filling out this packet.
Donate
Volunteer & Questions
If you would like to volunteer, or have questions about this event, please reach out to Beth Hunter at ehunter@brightpoint.org
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January 12 – March 8
Our essential needs drive provides crucial support to families served by Brightpoint. Every donation, no matter how big or small, can make a significant impact on someone’s life. Your generosity provides families access to essential items that many of us often take for granted.
With your help, this donation drive will support the buildout of a new Essential Needs Pantry at our Western Avenue office location. Case workers and social workers can access the pantry when families are in need of items and supplies. Thank you for your donation!
Donate Essentials by March 8th
Visit our Amazon wish list to contribute household items, hygiene supplies and baby essentials. Items will ship directly to our office.
Spread the Word
Share this page with your friends, family, and community. Together, we can reach more hearts and make a bigger difference.
Your Impact
Items donated through the essential needs drive will support children who are recovering from trauma through Brightpoint mental health and wellness programs, families seeking stability so they can remain together and children living in foster care or with extended family.
Click here to read about Brightpoint’s comprehensive statewide impact.
Photographs
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March 16 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
This is a rain or shine event-there is no alternate date.
Sharin’ of the Green Parade is an opportunity for our community to come together celebrate, “share the green” by donating to Brightpoint’s Central Region Home Visiting.
Brightpoint has been a resource for families of McLean County and the surrounding area for over 130 years. The agency offers a comprehensive array of services and programs, annually serving the needs of more than 3,000 children and families in McLean County and the surrounding area.
Parade Route
The parade route starts at the corner of School St and North St. (The Alamo) and moves east down North St. through Uptown Circle to Linden St.
Registration
To register for this event, use the online form! Online registration will also be available the day of the event in the staging area.
Participant Waiver:
Each participant must agree and sign the waiver!
As a driver/participant in this parade, we ask you to follow these rules for the safety of yourself and others:
- Please do not throw candy due to the danger of children in traffic.
- Candy is to handed out to the children as to keep them out of the street.
- Please avoid gaps in the parade order – stay close.
- Large vehicles must have escorts on both sides.
- Please use extreme caution at the circle.
- Do not unload until you have arrived at the parking lot disignated for unloading.
- If you have animals in your entry- YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEAN UP.
- Have you paid your entry fee and signed your waiver? If not, see Brightpoint staff in the check in area.
Donate
Donate using this link!
Volunteer
Volunteers will sell t-shirts, line up participants, carry the flag, collect donations, throw candy, assist with crowd control, or other tasks as needed.
Sign up here! Fill out the volunteer waiver here.
Questions
For questions, contact Laura Cordero at lcordero@brightpoint.org.
Location
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December 8, 2023 @ 3:00 pm – 11:59 pm
You’re invited to Fat Jacks annual beer event. Half of the proceeds benefit Brightpoint. Ticket price includes three flights of Christmas Ales, one appetizer and a pint or half pint of your choice.
Tickets
Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased in advance at Fat Jacks during open hours and are also available online:
Click here to purchase tickets online!
Tickers are also available at the door on December 8.
Questions
For questions, contact Laura Cordero at lcordero@brightpoint.org.
Location
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May 4 @ 4:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Save the Date!
You’re invited to watch the Kentucky Derby live on the big screen. Enjoy cocktails followed by dinner and dancing. Your participation benefits Brightpoint’s five program areas: Early Childhood Care & Education, Child Welfare, Parent Support, Mental Health & Wellness and Youth Services.
Event Co-Chairs: Beth Lyons & Margo Facchini
Location
Butterfield Country Club
2800 Midwest Rd.
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Schedule
4:30pm – Cocktails Begin
5:24pm – Run for the Roses
6:30pm – Dinner & Program
7:30pm – DJ & Dancing
Registration
Individual tickets – $185 each
Table of 10 guests – $1800
Click here to register by 12pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Sponsorship
We offer a variety of sponsorship packages for Derby Day or are happy to consider a custom package for your company.
Click here to review our sponsorship opportunities.
Click here to sign-up as a sponsor online.
THANK YOU TO OUR CURRENT SPONSORS!
Belmont Stakes Sponsors
($2500+)
The Chico Family Foundation
Vascular & Interventional Professionals
Breeders Cup Sponsors
($1000+)
AFNR Homes | BHHS Chicago | Anna Fiascone & Natalie Ryan
Preferred Rate / Sergio Giangrande
The R-B Financial Group
Kentucky Oaks Sponsors
($500+)
Chicago Canine Club
I Design Salon & Blow Dry Bar
The Lyons Family
Meredith Jaye
Tidi Products
In-Kind Donations
Derby Day offers guests raffle, silent and live auction opportunities. If you are interested in contributing sports/theater tickets, golf/vacation packages, restaurant experiences, spa/wellness packages, jewelry or other items, please let us know.
Click here to complete our in-kind donation form.
Questions
If you would like to learn more about Derby Day, please contact Maria Taylor at mtaylor@brightpoint.org.
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July 1, 2023 – August 12, 2023
On Saturday, August 12th, our Marshfield location celebrated a Back-to-School event and unveiled our beautiful new Brightpoint mural! We were joined by Dr. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, First Deputy Chief of Staff for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, artist Barrett Keithley and Angela McLemore from Senator Mattie Hunter’s office for the unveiling.
In partnership with Brightpoint and Barrett Keithley, One Summer Chicago youth learned about art and design, sketched concepts, and assisted with the mural’s installation for six weeks. The mural’s unveiling was a culmination of all their hard work and an example of how our youth can create something positive.
The pride in their work and community was evident as the One Summer Chicago youth pulled the cloth from the wall to unveil the mural to the party attendees. Brightpoint CEO Mike Shaver introduced the mural to the crowd and invited both Dr. Cristina Pacione-Zayas and Barrett Keithley to speak.
Both shared the sentiment that the One Summer Chicago program provides positive experiences and the opportunity to design a mural shows youth that their contributions to the community can last years.
Volunteers and music welcomed children and their families as they received free backpacks with school supplies and were treated to snow cones, hot dogs, face painting, and games. Brightpoint was joined by community partners including Think Outside the Block, Access Health, Teamwork Englewood, Angela’s Illustrations, True Believers/Stay LIT, The Blessed Child, Alternatives, and Growing Hands Essentials. During our party, our CEO Mike Shaver spoke with WBEZ to discuss how our new identity promotes our belief that the greatest asset for children and youth is their family.
Event Photos
Donate
You can still make a gift in support of our Back to School campaign.
Questions
For questions, contact Maureen Kelly at mkelly@brightpoint.org.
Location
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July 21, 2023 @ 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Dinks, Drinks, and Donate, is a fun social pickleball event, not a tournament. It will be open play format with foursomes rotating onto one of the 14 pickleball courts as they become available. Registration fee includes a t-shirt, sandwiches and beverages.
Registration
Register as an individual player or Sponsor (pay with credit card).
Download our sponsor opportunities (or to pay by check).
Questions
For sponsorship and event inquiries, contact Laura Cordero at lcordero@brightpoint.org.