Tanya Young, Author at One Hope United

Black Excellence in Leadership: A Conversation with ELCD Executive Director, Kenny Shackelford

22 February 2023

Tanya Young

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Categories: Early Learning and Child Development, Spotlights, Working at OHU

As we celebrate Black History Month, we are reminded of the significant contributions of Black leaders throughout history and the contributions that Black leaders continue to make today to better our society and communities. Today we recognize the accomplishments of Kenny Shackelford, a Black leader at OHU, whose work impacts not only the organization but also the communities we serve.

Holding many roles in the early childhood education field including Teacher, Educational Coordinator, and Assistant Director, Kenny Shackelford has continued to grow his career and currently oversees OHU’s entire Early Learning & Childhood Development division as the Executive Director. Kenny is continuously recognized among staff, peers, and other leaders as an inspiring leader with a remarkable ability to motivate and guide his team to success.

Kenny Shackelford, Executive Director of ELCD

While working here at OHU, what effort or achievement are you most proud of?

At the moment, I would have to say I am most proud of having the opportunity to work alongside my Early Learning & Child Development teams (ELCD), really the administration and the entire teaching personnel. They have weathered day in and day out, through the pandemic woes and they continue to push through a critical staffing shortage within ELCD. Every day they come to work putting forth their very best and that is all I can ask for from my teams!

What issues surrounding race or equality have you tackled during your career?

When I first started to answer this question, I didn’t think that I have had to directly tackle any issues in my professional career when it comes to race and equality, but as I really think about it and consider my experiences, I recognize I’ve tackled race issues more than I realized before. I have learned to navigate the inevitable encounters as a professional black man over my tenure. I have learned to master the art of code-switching, when this skill must be exercised, and how to pick up on unconscious bias to those who may not even be aware of what they are saying.

In your opinion, what is the importance of recognizing and celebrating Black History Month?

Black History Month is paying homage to those who paved the way for a better future life for this generation of African Americans today. It’s about giving respect to those who fought for the rights we deserve and for us to reflect back on lessons that can be learned to help us continue to work collectively today to make inequality a thing of the past!

Kenny Shackelford (far right) with his Bridgeport Early Learning Center team.

Is there anything you’d like to say to the young Black girl or boy that looks up to you as a leader in our community?

Be true to yourself. Be your authentic self. Trust your instincts. And what I feel is most important, do not let anyone make you feel bad for speaking up about something you believe in. That does not mean it is okay to “pop off at the mouth” (as the young people would say… I think) whenever you feel like it, but instead, find a way to convey your message in such a manner that allows what you’re trying to say to be truly heard. As we continue to become a more inclusive world, it’s important to recognize that as a society, we still have work to do.

One Hope United Pilots Free Clothing Store for Children in Foster Care

27 January 2023

Tanya Young

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Categories: Featured Item, News, Northern, Press Releases, Stories of Hope

Lake Villa, Ill. (Jan. 27, 2023)–One Hope United launched its first “Hope Closet” event on Dec. 28 at boy’s residential campus, Ermit L. Finch Campus at Lake Villa. Clothes, shoes, and winter wear were donated to the organization by Indiana nonprofit, Cross Border Partners.

The private pop-up event gave the young boys in foster care a free shopping experience including a personal shopper to help find items among the hundreds of options that fit the boy’s personal tastes. Many of the volunteers at the “Hope Closet” pop-up event were actually board members, including one of One Hope United’s newest, Jeremy Harvey.

Harvey, a State and Territory Liaison at ICF, joined the nonprofit’s board in 2022, becoming the second former One Hope United foster child to join the organization’s Board of Directors.

“I’ve had the feeling many other youth in foster care have of being unworthy or unwanted. If a small thing I can do is to gather clothes, donate them back to One Hope United so that we have a closet of hope so that young people feel worthy of healing, growth, and development… it’s just one little thing I can do,” Harvey said.

There are no statistics on how many children enter foster care with only the clothing they are wearing, but it is a common reality reported by foster parents and foster care organizations. With clothing stipends in Illinois under $80 a month and the rising costs of goods, the clothing stipend often only covers a single new outfit.

“This event is the epitome of what is at the core of OHU – a deep commitment to be responsible and to advocate for those in our care. Volunteers, staff, and our nonprofit partner selflessly showed up to support the children we serve. We couldn’t be more grateful,” said Dr. Damon Cates, Chief Advancement Officer at One Hope United.

Harvey’s involvement in the “Hope Closet” project was spurred after attending fellow board member, Cindy Miller-Lusignan’s, annual fundraising event and hearing about One Hope United’s need for clothing. Harvey turned to his own network on social media and asked friends, colleagues, and family to donate shirts, pants, suits, and shoes to the organization, even offering to collect donations personally.

“I’ve had this experience. I know what this feels like. I knew I had to do something. I’m not rich so I can’t write a check and solve a problem, but I can absolutely reach out to my network and ask ‘Do you have things that you can donate?’ I want to help other young people with these experiences feel seen, feel important,” Harvey said.

Within days, Harvey’s call to action gained momentum online and he was introduced to Cross Border Partners. After learning about the need at One Hope United, Cross Border Partners delivered a 16-foot truck filled with clothing to join the 80 bags of donations Harvey and other board members collected for the girls and boys in foster care.

“Young people need to feel like they’re worthy of healing. When you show up with just the things on your back, in a space full of strangers, and add to that, that this is unlikely to be your first placement… this is probably your 15th, 16th, 17th stop. You’re feeling so many ways. Our Hope Closet is one small step we can make to say you’re worthy! You are worthy of clean, age-appropriate, stylish clothes… We see you,” Harvey said.

Additional “Hope Closet” pop-up events are being scheduled for the foster care programs at One Hope United and the organization continues to accept donations.

“There’s lots of ways folks can give to make an impact for our kids. There’s no gift too big or too small. We’re looking for time, talent, and treasure. Maybe you don’t have any money, but you can volunteer a couple of hours and just spend time with our kids,” Harvey said.

About One Hope United

Founded in 1895, One Hope United is a multi-state nonprofit that helps children and families build the skills to live life without limits. OHU serves over 10,000 children and families each year through education centers, child and family services, counseling, and residential programs. Using evidence-based and trauma-informed practices, OHU empowers children and families to see and create a future where, regardless of their past, they can reach their full potential.

About Cross Border Partners

Cross Border Partners is a 501(c)3 nonprofit Christian organization which helps those in need. The organization accepts donations of anything but food. These items are then redistributed to those in need. The organization also offers items for sale that is open to the public. After paying operating expenses, any extra funds are used to purchase items to help the voucher clients.

Meet Shari, Infant Teacher at Joliet Early Learning Center

2 December 2022

Tanya Young

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Categories: Early Learning and Child Development, Spotlights, Working at OHU

Meet Shari, an Infant Teacher at our Joliet Early Learning Center in Joliet, Illinois. She became a Hope Member in 2019 and teaches infants alongside her two Assistant Teachers, Rocio and Ariana. Since she shares a name with another Hope Member at the Joliet Early Learning Center, the students have lovingly dubbed her with the name “Ms. Baby Shari.”

At home, Shari also goes by the name “Mom” to her three adult children and you can probably find her chasing after her sweet dog, Gunner. Her positive and loving energy is infectious and warms up every space she walks into. We talked with Shari about what inspired her to join OHU, the best part about being an Early Learning Center Teacher, and more.

OHU Teacher, Shari smiles at one of her students playing. — Shari and Assistant Teacher, Ariana, playing with two of their students.

What did you do before coming to One Hope United?

I did work at another daycare center, but then I had a 15 year hiatus where I was working at a cabinet shop as a Cabinet Finisher. I stained and lacquered cabinets. I did enjoy that, but then the housing market crashed and I thought: Let’s go back to what I know.

What do you love about working here?

We are such an inclusive organization, we don’t turn anybody away. Everybody is welcome. Working here, I feel like family. I’ve never felt so appreciated working in a place before. They really take care of you here, listen to your concerns and act on them. It’s just amazing! And it’s really easy to make it amazing when the people you work with are amazing.

Teacher, Shari, and Assistant Teacher, Rocio, take a walk outside with students at the Joliet Early Learning Center. — Taking a walk around the block with her students and Assistant Teacher, Rocio.

What is your day-to-day like as a Teacher at OHU?

Every day is a little different. I work with babies, and you kind of just have to go off their mood. Whatever they’re feeling is what we go with. In the morning when they come, they usually play and I get breakfast ready. My Assistant Teachers come in at 8 am. The babies play, we read stories, we do projects, and a lot of hugs. A lot of hugs… that’s the best part. I get paid to love, it doesn’t get any better than that! Whatever the babies need, that’s what they get.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming an Early Learning Center Teacher?

Be able to go with the flow. #1 you need to love it and #2 you just need to be able to go with the flow. We help each other out, sometimes you’ll help in another room and you get to learn other rooms and ages.

One Hope United Teacher, Shari, feeds a baby at lunch. — Lunchtime! Helping one of the littlest eaters in the class enjoy his lunch!

What are you most proud of since becoming a Hope Member?

The relationships I’ve been able to build with the families. I’ve always told the parents, “Your babies are our babies and we’re a team.” We take care of their babies all day long and try to be like a second set of “parents” while mom and dad are at work.

Top Box Foods & One Hope United Distribute 200 Thanksgiving Meal Kits

23 November 2022

Tanya Young

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Categories: Early Learning and Child Development, Events

By noon last week on Friday, cars lined South Ernie Krueger Circle and spilled onto Sunset Avenue as they made their way to Busy Bee Children’s Center. Families excitedly waved as they waited for the “Thanksgiving Dinner Box Giveaway” event to start, an event hosted by Top Box Foods and One Hope United to distribute 200 free meal kits to families in Waukegan, Illinois, and the surrounding area.

This pop-up event was one of many created by Top Box Foods, a Chicagoland nonprofit. With more than 33 million people in the U.S. living in food-insecure households, the nonprofit partnered with other local organizations and sponsors to share Thanksgiving meal kits with communities in an effort to combat food insecurity during the holiday season. Across the U.S. the price of food is steadily on the rise due to factors like the increased cost of fuel. This year alone, the average cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner increased 20% from last year, according to data from the Farm Bureau’s annual survey report.

OHU’s Early Learning and Child Development’s Director of Programs, Shanta Payton said, “Since COVID, communities such as Waukegan are seeing an increase in unemployment and food insecurity. A recent Community Needs Assessment completed by Start Early showed that 38.2% of families in Waukegan live in extreme poverty. Some families we serve do not have the financial resources to afford food which is why this event is so important.”

The community support in Waukegan was felt by everyone from the event organizers greeting guests to the attendees that shared the event and carpooled with friends to Busy Bee Children’s Center. Even with freezing temperatures and a few snowflakes, Hope Members were all smiles as they unloaded hundreds of boxes from the Top Box Foods truck. As families drove up to the giveaway station, Hope Members loaded up their cars with two boxes filled with Thanksgiving meal kits that included a frozen whole chicken, dry goods, and produce.

“Top Box Foods is a well-respected company that aims to provide families with healthy, affordable food. This is well-needed for the families we serve. We look forward to partnering with this organization again in the future,” Payton said.

A special thank you to the event sponsors, Humana and the American Diabetes Association. Because of their generous support, this event was possible!

Let’s take action to fight food insecurity this holiday season. Need ideas?

Volunteer at your local food bank, meal center, or with an organization like Top Box Foods. Find your local food bank by calling 2-1-1 or by visiting 211.org.
Donate food or supplies to your local food bank. Many food banks operate off donations. Check with the food bank to find out what items (e.g. dry goods, produce, dairy, and frozen meats) are most needed.
Organize your own food drive. Ask your friends and family to collect canned food and dry goods and donate to your local food bank.

To learn more about our upcoming community events follow One Hope United on Facebook.

About Top Box Foods

Top Box Foods is a year-round resource for affordable, nutritious fresh fruit, vegetables, and proteins for anyone and everyone who want to bring healthy food home, and help their neighbors do the same. As a nonprofit community-based organization, Top Box Foods focuses its work in food deserts to increase access to healthy and affordable food with the help of great neighborhood partners, the crucial involvement of volunteers, and generous corporate sponsors. For more information or to find a Top Box Foods location near you go to www.topboxfoods.com.