Chicago HOPES for Kids provides after-school academic support to children and families living in homeless shelters and underserved communities across Chicago.
At Chicago HOPES for Kids, we dedicate ourselves to advancing children’s education and empowerment by providing academic support, mentorship, and basic needs services. We have been supporting students experiencing homelessness academically for over a decade, and we proudly support over 325 students annually. Our three key program components include homework help, individual literacy support, and enrichment activities, all rooted in Social-Emotional Learning and Trauma-informed practices.
Our programs, operating 2-4 times a week, 2-2 1/2 hours per session, are held at various sites across Chicago throughout the year, following a semester schedule. Programs include Fall (September to mid-December), Winter/Spring (January to end of May), and Summer (June to early August), all coordinated from our central office at 318 W. Adams St, Suite 600C, Chicago, IL 60606.
Full-time Summer Corps Members commit to 35 hours/week, totaling 300 hours from June to August. Duties involve direct service at 1-2 of our 11 program locations across Chicago Mondays-Thursdays, Friday morning virtual meetings, community outreach, and mandatory service days. Members are required to be at program sites 4 days a week with morning and afternoon availability, serving on the designated program site’s leadership team. On-site responsibilities include assisting with homework, individualized literacy support, conducting reading assessments, and supporting Site Coordinators in leading enrichment activities.