• Posted: December 18, 2019
• better communities, SOS Children’s Village

There might not be snow on the ground, but the holiday season was in full swing last week as nearly 60 children from the SOS Children’s Village had their annual holiday party at the IBEW Local 134 Union Hall.

Thanks to the partnership between the SOS Children’s Village and Powering Chicago, the Village’s families were able to hold their party at the Terry Allen Community Center at the 134 Union Hall after the original venue had a scheduling mix up.

“Tim McCormick called me the other day asking if we knew of a space where we could host the Village’s party this year,” said John Donahue, executive director of Powering Chicago. “I immediately thought of the Terry Allen Center and after speaking with IBEW 134 Business Manager Don Finn, we both agreed it would be the perfect spot for this year’s event.”

“Because of the Hall’s generosity, we are able to bring all of the children from our Roosevelt Community Center who are in foster care together to do really two important things: celebrate the upcoming holidays and to celebrate the Village,” said Tim McCormick, Chief Executive Officer of the SOS Children’s Villages of Illinois. “An opportunity like this to come here and celebrate and be together and know that people do care about these kids and they’re not lost or invisible really brings something extra to the holidays.”

The children, along with their foster parents and some of their biological parents, were able to enjoy music, dancing, and treats for a few hours to escape some of the harsh realities of their lives. On this day, at least for a few hours, the sole focus was about getting into the holiday spirit and enjoying each other’s company.

“There really is an enduring love that transcends race, ethnicity, geography, any of that,” McCormick explained. “We can come together in our world and really enjoy each other through the simplicity of a simple gift, some nice food, and a lot of laughing and fun.”

The fun wasn’t just evident on the faces of the children either. Many of the foster parents were enjoying the night with the children they’re watching over.

“I am actually going on three years doing this,” foster parent Elizabeth Hope, explained. “I did it because I was a long-term foster child with two of my 11 siblings. But it was only two of us in the home. We said when we were adults how great it would’ve been had we all been raised together. If we could’ve stayed together it would’ve been better.”

SOS Children’s Village is unique in that it keeps families together during difficult times. Instead of splitting up children – which can make it more difficult on their parents to keep in touch – SOS keeps all families together within the Village, so parents know exactly where each of their children are. And as Hope likes say, she’s just watching over the children until their parents get back on their feet.

“We foster families, we don’t foster children,” Hope said. “We get to co-parent while they’re struggling so we get to help. I have parents with me tonight because we’re co-parenting. I’m just watching their babies and then giving them back when the family is ready. It’s like being the stabilizing force.”