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Welcome to our website. You will find information about our organization, our history, our programs and our accomplishments. We encourage you to visit often, as the content will change from time to time.

As you are aware, there are no quick fixes to the problems that threaten the lives and prospects of so many of America’s young people and families. However, solutions are within reach. Sankofa was established in 1999 and remains dedicated to effecting positive and sustainable change in strengthening families especially in the African American community. The mission of Sankofa Safe Child Initiative is to keep families intact.

It has been a challenging and rewarding time for our agency. As of July 1, 2004, Sankofa became its own entity from its previous fiscal agent, the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health. We have developed a Strategic Plan for 2004—2009 with beliefs that we will “Leave No One Behind” and that “We Must Look Back To Go Forward.” We believe that we can empower people to be self-sufficient, we believe in organizing through collective work and responsibility, and we believe in the African centered approach to affect self-determination as a people. These core values are the backbone of Sankofa’s constitution.

We are grateful to our village partners and the professional services they provide for families in crisis. The children and families we serve are what keep us motivated. We are continuously growing and committed to advocating for short term crisis interventions and referral services for education, job readiness training, affordable housing, affordable healthcare for our community on the State, Federal, and local levels.

We are thankful to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services , the Illinois Department of Public Health, and our new partnership with La Rabida Children’s Hospital and the United States Department of Agriculture. Donations from the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, the National Council of Negro Women Chicago Midwest Section, board members and our many friends who have been very beneficial in supporting the works of Sankofa in regards to addressing the 38 recommendations, the community recommended at a Town Hall Meeting hosted by Congressman Danny D. Davis at the birth of Sankofa.

We are looking at a variety of strategies to accomplish specific program objectives, perhaps most importantly Education at the Bishop Dempsey Center. For me, the overarching principle is the one we state first: Every American child should have the opportunity to develop to his or her full potential. Fulfilling this objective is shared responsibility of parents, other family members, community institutions, employers, the media, government at all levels and every other segment of American life.

To provide referrals, resources & skills that encourages underserved families and communities to be strong, self-sufficient and remain in tact.

To coordinate an effort of support and to improve the quality of life for birth, grand and foster parents, kinship and other family units of African descent that service entire families in the 7th Congressional District
To provide referral services in the community for families in crisis
To advocate for education, training, employment, affordable housing and healthcare for our community on the State, Federal and Local levels
To Develop and Implement Train the Trainer Programs in collaboration with churches and community based organizations on: African Centered Family Practices, Family Conferences, Job Readiness Skills, Parenting Education, Independent Living Skills, Decision-Making Skills, Career Planning, Self-Esteem, Family Planning, Well Baby Care, WIC, GED Preparation, Kidcare Medical Insurance, Basic Computer Skills, Legal Assistance, Political Science and Mentorship
To advocate for and engage in activities of social planning and the social well being of individuals, agencies and groups in and/or serving our communities
To establish an internship program using students from the school of social work, medical schools, and local businesses
To research and develop a self-sufficiency plan for diversified funding to be utilized for programs for community residents
To provide intervention and prevention services that will mentor and train youth with life development skills that will enable them to provide effective leadership in society