Hope Program
In 2019, the Urban Infant founded the HOPE program that connects, supports, and donates to a small, strategically-selected assortment of charities. There is one common thread of these relationships: they are serving children less fortunate. In most cases, the charity is even changing the trajectory of a child’s life. We accept applications (see email below) and also proactively seek charities and organizations that resonate with our corporate culture of hope.
"In most cases, the charities we select can change the trajectory of a child’s life."
2023-2024
The Boys and Girls Club of Chicago Aquatics Program
Drowning deaths, like so much else in America, are not distributed equally. Black kids are five and a half times as likely as White children to drown in swimming pools and lakes, according to a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Unsurprisingly, these are among the same groups of kids who are less likely to get formal swimming lessons, perhaps because of some combination of cost, time, and accessibility. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) offers free children’s swim lessons and is committed to making swimming part of the basic life skills. The goal is reducing water-related injuries, particularly in communities where children are most at risk. Their vision is lifesaving (and life changing) with Learn-to-Swim lessons, Aquatic Team Sports, and JR Lifeguarding programming. They have 4 locations in Chicago.
https://bgcc.org/aquatics/
2020-2023
ReFresh Collective
The goal of this innovative Cleveland-based program is to harness the power of music to better equip youth and uplift communities. Their music-inspired programming is provided free of charge to underserved neighborhoods. Last year, they worked with over 480 kids in 4 school districts in their neighborhood studios in Cleveland and Cincinnati. Their performances take place from street fairs to concert halls and have been in cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, and Atlanta.
www.refreshcollective.org
2019-2023
Fostering Hope
Every child deserves to feel joy. Fostering Hope serves kids, pre-teens, teens and young adults whose lives are directly impacted by foster care. Their programs focus on small experiences that most of us are not aware of when being raised in a traditional household. Such experiences can include birthday parties, health and wellness, and simple community events helping provide a sense of neighborhood. Their goals include helping children overcome self-esteem issues or possible isolation that can arrive from being in the foster program.
www.fosteringhopeohio.org
2020-2021
The House of the Good Shepherd
Designed to empower mothers, the House of the Good Shepherd focuses on women and children survivors of domestic violence. Their unique shelter recovery programs are tailored to meet the individual needs of each family, with opportunities to stabilize, access legal assistance, trauma-informed counseling, addiction services, education, child welfare, immigration, housing, employment, health and medical services. Resident moms have access to a fully licensed onsite daycare while they are getting back on their feet. 75-80% of the women successfully complete the program with secure employment, permanent housing, and a saving account.
www.hgschicago.org
Email proposals, requests, and information about your organization to: kelly@urbaninfant.com