Programs and Services
Comprehensive, trauma-informed services designed to support youth, young adults, and families navigating violence, trauma, and barriers to opportunity.
Our Services by Pillar
All Hug A Child services are organized around four integrated pillars: healing trauma, strengthening connections, empowering youth, and transforming communities.
🟦 HEAL: Trauma-Informed Support & Mental Health
Trauma-Informed Support
Compassionate, evidence-based support for individuals and families processing the impact of violence and trauma. Our advocates create safety and trust as the foundation for healing.
- ✓ Crisis intervention and stabilization
- ✓ Emotional support and validation
- ✓ Safety planning and risk assessment
- ✓ Grief support and processing
Victim Advocacy
Standing with survivors and families to ensure their voices are heard, their needs are met, and their rights are protected throughout systems and processes.
- ✓ Legal system advocacy
- ✓ Victim support and accompaniment
- ✓ Rights information and education
- ✓ Behavioral health referrals and coordination
🟩 CONNECT: Family Support & Community Partnerships
Case Management
Personalized navigation of resources, services, and systems. Your dedicated case manager helps you access benefits, resolve barriers, and coordinate support.
- ✓ Benefits navigation and enrollment
- ✓ Housing support and navigation
- ✓ Service coordination across providers
- ✓ Long-term support and monitoring
Family Stabilization
Comprehensive support for parents and caregivers navigating poverty, employment barriers, housing insecurity, and other challenges. Stronger families mean safer communities.
- ✓ Parent and caregiver support groups
- ✓ Family counseling and mediation
- ✓ Employment support for adults
- ✓ Resource navigation for families
🟧 EMPOWER: Youth Development & Career Services
Mentoring & Leadership
One-on-one relationships with trained mentors who provide guidance, support, and positive role modeling. Our mentors are committed to walking alongside youth on their journey.
- ✓ Individual mentorship relationships
- ✓ Leadership development programs
- ✓ Life skills and decision-making
- ✓ Access to opportunities and networks
Workforce Development
Job training, employment connections, and career support. We help young adults build professional skills, secure meaningful employment, and achieve economic stability.
- ✓ Job readiness training
- ✓ Employer connections and placement
- ✓ Financial literacy and money management
- ✓ Educational pathway support
🟨 COMMUNITY HEALING: Violence Prevention & Community Events
We bring communities together around healing, safety, and collective transformation. Through strategic partnerships with 50+ organizations, we create spaces where people connect, heal, and build power together.
Community Events
- ✓ Healing circles
- ✓ Family wellness days
- ✓ Youth summits
- ✓ Community celebrations
Violence Prevention
- ✓ Community outreach
- ✓ Conflict intervention
- ✓ Safety awareness
- ✓ Peer leadership
Volunteer & Engagement
- ✓ Mentoring opportunities
- ✓ Event volunteering
- ✓ Skills-based projects
- ✓ Community building
Youth and Family Programs
Hug A Child NFP provides year-round programs that help children and families learn, heal, grow, and build stronger futures. Our services combine education, enrichment, mentoring, leadership development, trauma-informed support, and meaningful community experiences.
STEM Programming
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, and career exploration.
Summer Enrichment Program
Structured summer learning, recreation, mentoring, field trips, leadership activities, and community experiences that keep young people engaged and supported.
Fall Programming
Continued academic enrichment, mentoring, youth development, workshops, and family-centered activities during the school year.
Youth Development Activities
Positive activities that strengthen confidence, communication, decision-making, emotional wellness, responsibility, and life skills.
Mentoring
Consistent relationships with caring adults who provide encouragement, guidance, accountability, and support.
Educational and Cultural Field Trips
Experiences that expose young people to education, culture, careers, recreation, and opportunities beyond their immediate communities.
Trauma-Informed Workshops
Safe, age-appropriate workshops that help children and families understand emotions, develop healthy coping skills, strengthen resilience, and access support.
Leadership Development
Activities that help young people develop their voice, confidence, teamwork, responsibility, and ability to lead within their schools and communities.
Family and Community Support
Resources, workshops, referrals, and community-based activities that strengthen families and connect them with helpful services.
Who Can Receive Services?
We serve youth, young adults, survivors, and families impacted by violence, trauma, poverty, grief, unemployment, and barriers to supportive services. Our services are available to Chicago residents.
Youth & Young Adults (ages 12-24)
Individuals navigating violence exposure, trauma, poverty, and barriers to education and employment.
Families
Parents, caregivers, and families seeking support with housing, employment, parenting, and family stability.
Victims of Violence
Individuals seeking victim advocacy, support navigating the legal system, and trauma support.
Community Members
Anyone in our community can access our community outreach, events, and resource information.
What to Expect
Initial Contact
You reach out through phone, email, or a partner organization. Someone will respond within 24-48 hours with warmth, respect, and no judgment.
Getting to Know You
We listen to your story, your needs, and your goals. You'll work with an advocate who takes time to understand your unique situation and build trust.
Building a Plan
Together, you'll create a personalized support plan that addresses your immediate needs and builds toward your long-term goals.
Ongoing Support
Your advocate walks alongside you, adapting support as needed, celebrating wins, and helping you navigate challenges.
Confidentiality: Your safety and privacy are paramount. Everything you share is confidential, and we follow strict protocols to protect your information.
How to Access Services
Call Us
Reach our intake team directly at (312) 731-5279 to discuss your needs.
Email or Form
Fill out our intake form or email us at info@hugachildnfp.org
Through a Partner
Your school, hospital, workforce agency, or community partner can refer you or connect you with our team.
Ready to Get Support?
Reach out today. We're here to help and to walk with you on your journey.
Get Help Now