History and Purpose of the Children First Fund 

The mission of the Children First Fund: The Chicago Public Schools Foundation, is to aid the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in its pursuit of academic excellence by funding programs that supplement the educational opportunities that are regularly offered to CPS students.   In addition to fundraising for its own programs, the Fund acts as a fiscal agent for special grants and donations given to CPS. Established in July of 1996 as an independent 501(c )(3) non-profit organization, the Children First Fund is governed by a volunteer board of directors.

Current Program Activities

E2 College Fund - On March 14, 2003, the Chicago Public Schools announced the creation of the Children First Fund E2 College Fund. This Fund will provide college assistance to the more than 30 Chicago-area children who lost a parent at the E2 Nightclub last month. Upon graduation from high school, these students will receive a scholarship to attend the college or vocational school of their choice.

Harris Bank and Community Bank of Lawndale have established a Children First Fund E2 College Fund account to allow any person or business to walk into any bank location to make a donation.

As Arne Duncan said at the press conference announcing the Fund “The E2 tragedy greatly affected our city and the country, but no one is more affected than the children who lost their mother or father. We could think of no better way of assisting these children than by offering them the opportunity to attend college.”

Any donation to the Children First Fund for this purpose is tax deductible. Please feel free to mail your donation to the Children First Fund, 125 S. Clark St., Chicago 60603, or call Alyson Cooke at 773-553-2210 to make your donation with a credit card. Please make your check payable to the CFF E2 College Fund.

On behalf of the future recipients of the E2 College Fund, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity.

To date we have raised over $60,000 from the following:

Support from WGCI, Power92, WYCA, WPWX, WVAZ, Community Bank of Lawndale and Gardner Carton & Douglas.

We have a long way to go, but with your support, we know we can get there.

In its first five years, the Children First Fund has concentrated on enhancing student achievement and reducing the Chicago Public Schools dropout rate by creating an extracurricular program of high-quality after-school activities. Research demonstrates that children who are involved in a diverse range of after school activities both stay in school and do better in school. Toward this end, the Children First Fund sponsors the following programs:

Bulls Scholars Program.  This $3.5 million, three-year project provides after school, early involvement opportunity for 40 students at each of the school district's 25 middle schools. Students receive ninth-grade English and/or algebra instruction from certified teachers at a receiving high school and tutoring/mentoring from a group of high school students.  In addition to supplemental/integrated computer applications and special field trip "perks" from the Chicago Bulls, students enjoy camaraderie and instruction that ease their transition to high school.     

Crisis Support Program.  Provides financial and other emergency assistance to the families of students and staff members who experience extraordinary hardship as a result of death, fire, violence or other personal tragedies. The Crisis Support Fund also benefits the educational process because it satisfies dire personal needs that would otherwise distract students and staff from daily academic pursuits.

Eyeglass Program. Enhances student achievement by providing eyeglasses to needy students who are not insured. The underachievement of many students is due to their inability to see correctly.

Junior Golf Program.  Enhances student educational experience through the discipline and cultural exposure gained by learning to play golf with commitment to personal excellence.

Music Education Program.  Enhances student achievement through diverse musical experience.  This project currently focuses on purchasing musical instruments for needy Chicago Public Schools students, providing them with opportunities to participate in existing musical programs.

List of Directors and Officers

Board of Directors (serve with no salary)

• Michael W. Scott, President of the Chicago Board of Education
• Arne Duncan, Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Public Schools
• Alyson T. Cooke, Executive Director, CPS Office of External Resources
• Barbara Eason-Watkins, Chief Education Officer, Chicago Public Schools
• Alan King, Esq.
• Aurie Pennick, Executive Director, Field Foundation of IL
• Anna E. Roosevelt, Director, Community Relations, Boeing Corporation

Staff

• Alyson Cooke, Executive Director, Children First Fund and Director, External Resources

Send questions and/or comments about content on this site to:
External Resources

All content © 2003, Chicago Public Schools | Legal Statement