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Our Impact

Poverty in Chicago

Chicago is home to world-renowned educational resources, businesses and industries, arts and cultural institutions, and wealth. It is also a place with stark divides in income: Illinois ranks sixth among all 50 states for inequality, measured by the disparity between the top 5% and bottom 20% of earners (*Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2015).

Despite a strongly rebounding regional economy, 1 in 2 children in Chicago is at risk of experiencing Clothing Insecurity. There are no government programs dedicated to ensuring that children have such basics as clothing or hygiene products. Since 2016, Cradles to Crayons has stepped up to fill this need in Chicago

Learn more about the children and families we help >

Who We Serve

Our Stories

A look at some of the lives we touch. In the words of Service Partners and families.

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Awards and Recognition

Recognition received in the course of our work. Humbly accepted and truly appreciated.

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We Empower
50,000
volunteers

Volunteers

Active Service Partners
335
agencies

Agencies

We Serve Over
1,200,000
children

Children
A board at the giving factory that reads in magnet letters, "helping makes me happy".

Our Recognition

Since our founding, the Cradles to Crayons vision has been to create a future where childhood poverty no longer exists. To help make this a reality, we’ve adopted a mission to connect communities that have with communities that need. Every day, we provide children from birth through age 12 with the essentials they need to thrive — at home, school and play. Thanks to our amazing network of volunteers, families, corporate donors and service partners.

Learn more about our awards and recognition >