Supporting Youth. Advocating for Victims. Strengthening Families. Healing Communities.
Hug A Child NFP takes a holistic approach to strengthening individuals, families, and communities by addressing multiple needs that affect stability, safety, healing, development, and quality of life.
Our Service Areas
Hug A Child NFP meets people where they are, providing interconnected support across three integrated service areas.
Youth Development & Enrichment
Safe, supportive environments beyond the school day through the Fall & Winter Enrichment After-School Program. We provide mentoring, educational support, life skills, and opportunities for youth to discover their potential and reach their full capacity.
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Victim Services & Advocacy
Critical support for individuals and families impacted by violence, trauma, loss, and difficult life circumstances. We provide advocacy, emotional support, resource navigation, and compassionate assistance connecting with community resources and services.
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Family & Community Wellness
Challenges affecting one family member affect the whole household. We help connect families with resources, strengthen support systems, identify barriers, and promote greater stability, well-being, and community healing.
Explore ResourcesOur Story
Children on purpose, not for profit.
Families on purpose, not for profit.
Community on purpose, not for profit.
Our Impact at a Glance
Children & Youth Served Annually
Families Reached
Graduation Rate
Employment Rate
Community Partners
Our Four Pillars of Change
Hug A Child operates through four integrated pillars designed to heal trauma, strengthen connections, empower futures, and transform communities.
🟦 HEAL
Trauma-Informed Support
Crisis stabilization, safety planning, grief support, and victim advocacy for those affected by violence.
Mental Health Services
Behavioral health referrals, therapeutic partnerships, and wellness support.
Case Management
Personalized advocacy, crisis support, and barrier removal.
Impact: 95% feel safer, 88% reduced trauma symptoms
🟩 CONNECT
Family Stabilization
Housing support, resource navigation, benefits access, and economic stability for families.
Parent Engagement
Caregiver support, family counseling, and community connection.
Community Partnerships
Coordinated support with 50+ schools, hospitals, workforce agencies, and community organizations.
Impact: 300+ families housed, improved school engagement
🟧 EMPOWER
Youth Development
One-on-one mentoring, leadership programs, life skills, and decision-making support.
Education & Career Services
Academic tutoring, college prep, workforce readiness, job training, and employment connections.
Financial Literacy
Money management, career planning, and pathway to economic independence.
Impact: 92% graduation, 78% employment, 40+ in college
🟨 COMMUNITY HEALING
Community Events
Healing circles, family wellness days, youth summits, and celebrations.
Violence Prevention
Community outreach, conflict intervention, and collective healing initiatives.
Volunteer & Engagement
Mentoring opportunities, event support, skills-based volunteering, and community building.
Impact: 40+ community events, 50+ active partners
Why Hug A Child?
✓ Trauma-Informed Approach
Every staff member trained in trauma-informed practice. We create safety, honor choice, build on strengths, and support healing.
✓ Community Partnerships
We partner with 50+ schools, hospitals, workforce agencies, and community organizations for coordinated, comprehensive support.
✓ Family-Centered
We serve entire families, not just individuals. We address barriers to housing, employment, education, and stability.
✓ Evidence-Based
Our programs are grounded in research, outcomes are rigorously tracked, and we report transparently to funders and community.
✓ Local Leadership
Founded and led by Saleshea Peterson with deep roots in Chicago communities. Staff includes individuals with lived experience.
✓ Long-Term Commitment
We invest in sustained relationships and community impact, not one-off programs. We measure success over years, not months.
Meet Our Founder
Saleshea Peterson
Founder & CEO | Community Leader | Advocate
Saleshea Peterson is a dynamic community leader, advocate, and changemaker dedicated to creating pathways of opportunity and hope. As Founder and CEO of Hug A Child, Make A Change NFP, she has spent more than six years advancing community violence intervention, victim services, youth mentorship, workforce development, mental-health support, and healing initiatives that uplift individuals and strengthen families.
Read Saleshea's StoryTrusted by Our Community
Strategic Partners
- ✓ Chicago Public Schools & Charter Schools
- ✓ Major Chicago hospitals & health systems
- ✓ Workforce development boards & employers
- ✓ Violence prevention organizations
- ✓ Faith-based organizations & community groups
- ✓ Government agencies (city, state, federal)
Funders & Supporters
- ✓ Community & national foundations
- ✓ Government grants (DOL, SAMHSA, City of Chicago)
- ✓ Corporate partners & major donors
- ✓ Individual donors & sustaining partners
- ✓ Employee giving programs
- ✓ Volunteer & in-kind support
A Transformation That Changed Everything
Marcus's Journey to College
Marcus grew up on Chicago's West Side, surrounded by violence. He lost friends to shootings and felt like his future was predetermined. When he connected with Hug A Child at age 15, everything changed.
"My advocate believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. She helped me with school, mentored me through my trauma, and connected me with college resources. Now I'm a freshman at Northwestern studying criminal justice. I want to come back and advocate for young people like me."
- Marcus, 19, Northwestern University
What Made the Difference
- ✓ One-on-one mentoring - consistent, caring relationship
- ✓ Trauma-informed support - healing from violence exposure
- ✓ Academic advocacy - college prep and scholarships
- ✓ Life skills - decision-making, goal-setting, resilience
- ✓ Network access - connections to opportunities and resources
Stories like Marcus's happen every day at Hug A Child.
Read More Success StoriesJoin Us in Changing Lives
Every child deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive. Be part of the movement building brighter futures for Chicago's youth and families.
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