Family Support Programs

Sankofa Safe Child Initiative Family Support Services:

Recognizing that over forty percent of the children in State care in Illinois came from the Austin and Lawndale communities, Sankofa opened its doors with a contract from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to implement strategies to strengthen the families in these communities with the intent to, “Leave No One Behind”, part of Mary McLeod Bethune’s mission of the National Council of Negro Women. Sankofa developed an on site facility, and a 24-hour helpline in conjunction with community-based organizations, to provide immediate support to families with urgent needs. Workers assist families with effective solutions by providing linkages and referrals to accessible resources. Sankofa has linkages with over 33 Village Partners within the Illinois 7th Congressional District to continue to help make this initiative a success. We also provide mentoring services to schools within the 7th Congressional District.
 

Parenting At Its Best

Sankofa provides parenting classes within the village using Family Academy’s “Parenting At Its Best” curriculum to equip parents, foster parents, grandparents, caretakers, child care workers and all who affect the health and wellness of children with tools that promote successful child development. Through the incorporation of these modules, they assist caretakers in better understanding child development stages, apply effective discipline techniques, manage stress, and work through their own past. Parenting At Its Best is scheduled to be presented three times a year or as needed.
 

Volunteer Opportunities:

Befriend a child today and begin to change tomorrow’s world. Caring and committed adults are welcomed and needed to spend quality time with adolescents in our various programs. Teach a child to read and you open the world to that child.