CBS News: Chicago Area Nonprofit Aims to Help Foster Kids Find Forever Homes

  • Press
  • July 10, 2025
Today, CBS Chicago spotlighted Let It Be Us following its recent $750,000 contract with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Founded 11 years ago by Dr. Susan McConnell – an adoptive parent and social work expert – the organization leverages innovative technology and personalized matchmaking to find permanent, loving homes for the more […]
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ABC7 WLS Chicago News with Samantha Chatman

  • Press
  • June 2, 2025
During this live interview, Dr. Susan A. McConnell, Founder & Executive Director of Let It Be Us, discussed Let It Be Us, foster care and adoption, the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois, and more. Let It Be Us Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Susan McConnell, appeared on ABC7 WLS Chicago in an interview by Samantha […]
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US 99 Chicago’s Melissa and Austin

  • Press
  • April 3, 2025
During this live interview, Dr. Susan A. McConnell, Founder & Executive Director of Let It Be Us, discussed Let It Be Us, foster care and adoption, the Be Mine Gala, and more. About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is an Illinois 501(c)3 and licensed child welfare agency. The mission of Let It […]
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WCPT 820AM’s “Chew’s Views with Richard Chew”

  • Press
  • April 2, 2025
During this live interview, Dr. Susan A. McConnell, Founder & Executive Director of Let It Be Us, and Kaycee Coles, Board Member, discussed Let It Be Us, foster care and adoption, the Be Mine Gala, and more. About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is an Illinois 501(c)3 and licensed child welfare agency. […]
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Cook County Chronicle: Connecting Kids to Foster Parents

  • Press
  • December 12, 2024
Carolyne Osterhues’ kids, like all siblings, have their moments. “They have fights over ‘Who ate my Flaming Hot Cheetos?’” the Tower Lakes mom said. “They are the best of friends and worst of enemies.” Unlike most siblings, however, none of them are Osterhues’ biological children. All five of Mark and Carolyne Osterhues’ children, Kyle, Colby, […]
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Why Be a Therapeutic Foster Parent With Vanessa Baie, MSW, LCSW

  • Latest News
  • November 8, 2024
Becoming a therapeutic foster parent allows you to provide a stable, supportive, nurturing home-based environment for a child that has experienced more profound trauma and needs greater support to manage their mental health and healing. Helping a child navigate and begin healing from challenging circumstances and trauma can be deeply fulfilling. Therapeutic foster parents can […]
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National Adoption Month: Osterhues Family: Opening their Hearts and Home to Children in Need of Love and Stability

  • Latest News
  • November 8, 2024
Carolyne and Mark Osterhues always planned to build a family through adoption. They considered using a domestic or international agency, but found there were challenges associated with these approaches, such as high cost, long wait times and potentially lengthy legal processes. In 2002, when a friend suggested the couple consider becoming licensed foster parents, they […]
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National Adoption Month 2025: Tracy Haufschild: Baby Girl Completes the Family

  • Latest News
  • November 5, 2024
When a child’s home life is determined to be unsafe, they are placed with a relative or licensed foster family. While foster care is designed to be temporary, reunification between children and their biological parents is not always a safe, permanent option. In those cases, the children can be permanently adopted. In 2004, Sally Haufschild […]
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Let It Be Us Receives Grant From the Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation to Host a Series of Virtual Job Fairs Designed For Young People in Foster Care and Those Recently Aged Out

  • Latest News
  • July 19, 2024
Let It Be Us has secured a grant from the Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation to host a series of Virtual Job Fairs through our Springboard to Adulthood Program. The first Virtual Job Fair will be held on September 21, 2024. This Virtual Job Fair is designed for teens and young people in or recently aged […]
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WBBM Newsradio On-Demand: Difference Maker

  • Press
  • July 2, 2024
Thousands of children enter foster care in Illinois every year. In this week’s Difference Maker, WBBM’s Lisa Fielding introduces us to a Barrington woman who’s using her own personal experience to help kids find good homes. Let It Be Us’ continued foster home recruitment efforts reach many segments of the Illinois population. About Let It […]
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Let It Be Us Announces the Formation of a New Leadership Council

  • Latest News
  • June 13, 2024
Let It Be Us is thrilled to share some groundbreaking news about a new Leadership Council  that will shape the future of our collective journey. With a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and shared leadership, we are proud to announce the establishment of our inaugural Let It Be Us Leadership Council. The first guest speaker for […]
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Country Magazine: Be Mine Gala

  • Press
  • June 2, 2024
Let It Be Us hosted an unforgettable evening celebrating its 10th anniversary at the Be Mine Gala on Friday, May 10. Emceed by Dave McKinney of WBEZ-FM, who is a licensed foster parent, and held at Walden Chicago, a beautiful event space in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, the gala brought together approximately 250 people for […]
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Let It Be Us ‘Be Mine’ Gala Raises Over Half a Million Dollars for Illinois Foster Care and Adoption

  • Latest News
  • May 21, 2024
Left to Right, Susan McConnell, Elizabeth Felice, Robin Kelleher, Matt Hower, Vince Foglia, Jessica Canning, Doug Locke, Kaycee Coles – Missing are Carolyne Osterhues, Vinnie Foglia Let It Be Us celebrated their 10th anniversary at the 6th annual Be Mine gala, raising more than half a million dollars towards innovative solutions for Illinois foster care […]
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SW Lake Lifestyle: The Time to Adopt a Child Is Now

  • Press
  • May 16, 2024
I discovered something a few years ago that is both interesting and sad. I’m a professional photographer who for 10 years for the State of Illinois photographed children awaiting adoption. The photos were displayed in “The Heart Gallery of Illinois” to increase their chance for adoption. As an adoptive mom with a home full of […]
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Barrington Patch: Be Mine Gala to Benefit Let It Be Us

  • Press
  • May 1, 2024
Join child welfare agency Let It Be Us for an unforgettable evening celebrating its 10th anniversary at the Be Mine Gala on Friday, May 10, 2024. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. and held at Walden Chicago, a beautiful event space in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, the event will bring together 250 people for dinner and drinks, […]
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WCPT 820AM’s “Driving it Home with Patti Vasquez”

  • Press
  • April 30, 2024
During this live, in-studio interview, Susan McConnell discussed Let It Be Us, foster care and adoption, the Be Mine Gala, and more. WCPT 820 · Driving It Home With Patti Vasquez April. 30 2024 About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is an Illinois 501(c)3 and licensed child welfare agency. The mission of […]
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Let It Be Us Welcomes New Member of Board of Directors Robin Kelleher, Esq.

  • Latest News
  • April 29, 2024
Robin Kelleher is an accomplished transactional attorney and business owner with nearly two decades of experience. She serves as general counsel to corporations, their owners, and managers, with experience in complex contract drafting and review, commercial real estate, commercial leases, loan documentation and review, and asset purchase/sales. Robin is also proficient in matters involving intellectual […]
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Let It Be Us Receives Grant From The Barrington Area Community Foundation To Establish Corporate Sponsorship Program

  • Latest News
  • April 25, 2024
The Barrington Area Community Foundation has announced the recipients of their annual grants and Let It Be Us has been chosen to receive funding to establish a Corporate Sponsorship Program. “Our success critically relies on support from our corporate partners. We are providing corporations the opportunity to become part of our innovative initiatives intended to […]
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Let It Be Us Continues Commitment with Human Rights Campaign’s with All Children – All Families Program in 2024

  • Foster Care
  • April 8, 2024
Let It Be Us is excited to announce that the organization is continuing its commitment with the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) All Children – All Families Program for 2024. This membership aligns with our commitment to fostering a diverse and welcoming environment for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.  The Human Rights Campaign’s […]
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Diligent Recruitment Data Report on Foster Home Recruitment in Illinois

  • Foster Care
  • February 27, 2024
The Let It Be Us Diligent Recruitment Data Report on Foster Home Recruitment for the month of January, 2024 is out and our team is pleased that our marketing is delivering the types of individual foster homes that we need to successfully recruit foster homes for the following types of foster care: Traditional Foster Care […]
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Let It Be Us Participates in Northwestern University Foster Care Research

  • Foster Care
  • January 22, 2024
Kendra Wright, Program Coordinator of Springboard to Adulthood and Special Families Programs, collaborated with Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine on a research artciel titled “Understanding the needs of foster parents of youth with special health care needs: Perceptions, barriers, and recommendations” featured in the Children and Youth Services Review journal on ScienceDirect.com. Highlights include: […]
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Let It Be Us Welcomes Children Through Foster Care and Adoption at a Family-Friendly Holiday Event

  • Foster Care
  • December 13, 2023
Let It Be Us, together with staff, volunteers, and sponsors, welcomed families through foster care and adoption to a family-friendly holiday event of decorating gingerbread houses with lunch.  For those attending the ‘Candy Cottage for a Cause’ Gingerbread Fundraiser for Foster Care and Adoption, families were greeted at the front door of Barrington’s White House […]
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Emergency Foster Care In-Person Fireside Chat

  • Foster Care
  • October 13, 2023
Let It Be Us and Shelter, Inc. invite you to be a part of an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children in need.  Event Details: November 7, 2023 from 7:00-8:30 pm Barrington’s White House 145 West Main Street, Barrington, Illinois 60010 Why Emergency Foster Care Matters Every child deserves a […]
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Ensuring Accessibility for All: Our Commitment to ADA Compliance

  • Foster Care
  • October 12, 2023
Let It Be Us is ensuring accessibility for all and strengthening our commitment to ADA Compliance. We are thrilled to announce that our website is now fully ADA-compliant, embracing a more inclusive digital space for all.  At Let It Be Us, we are committed to envisioning a future in which our most vulnerable children have […]
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Let It Be Us Joins the Aging Out Institute Community

  • Foster Care
  • September 20, 2023
Let It Be Us is happy to announce that the organization has become an official member of the Aging Out Institute Community. This affiliation will open up numerous avenues for collaboration and networking with organizations dedicated to supporting youth transitioning out of foster care. Their emphasis on six key initiatives – measuring success, wellness, relationships, […]
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Let It Be Us Announces Bryana Hopkins as the New Director of Operations and Finance

  • Foster Care
  • July 31, 2023
Let It Be Us welcomes Bryana Hopkins, MPPA, to the role of Director of Operations and Finance. Bryana has a BS Degree in Social Policy from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPPA) from Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies. Bryana has a passion for operations, […]
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Let It Be Us Announces Vanessa Baie as the Director of Child Welfare Services

  • Foster Care
  • July 31, 2023
Let It Be Us announces the promotion of Vanessa Baie, MSW, LCSW, to the position of Director of Child Welfare Services. Vanessa has a BS Degree in Sociology from Benedictine University and an MSW Degree from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois Chicago, with a mental health concentration. Vanessa […]
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Clearing Up Misconceptions about Foster Care

  • Foster Care
  • July 13, 2023
Foster care can sometimes be misunderstood when we don’t have all the information at hand. This can lead to misconceptions that may hinder children from being placed in environments that can help them grow and develop emotionally and physically. It’s essential to have accurate information about foster care to ensure that children are placed in […]
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Top Three Trends We Are Seeing in Our Placement Support Program: Teens, Children with “Pain-Based” Behaviors, and Sibling Sets

  • Foster Care
  • May 30, 2023
Let It Be Us is proud to help support caseworkers and other child welfare professionals seeking home options for children in foster care. The children referred to our unique placement support program are most often children in a placement crisis. This means the case management team finds themselves without a home for a child, having […]
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Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN), a Guest Blog by Dr. Bridget Couture, Program Director of Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work

  • Foster Care
  • May 30, 2023
At Let It Be Us we work with experts in foster care, adoption, recruitment, education, and overall, social work.  As a Illinois licensed child welfare agency we have access to many accomplished social workers. Dr. Bridget Couture, from Loyola University’s Chicago School of Social Work, is writing for our newsletter about child abuse with specific […]
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Let It Be Us Podcast: Conversation About Foster Care & Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) with Susan McConnell, DSW(c), MBA and Carina H. Santa Maria, MSW, LCSW

  • Foster Care
  • February 11, 2023
Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) includes children and young people in foster care that  are in extreme risk. While poorly defined legally, the impact upon this population is immense. Two Child Welfare Agency Executive Directors involved in research and programming to serve this population speak on our podcast about their experience and  potential opportunities. Hear […]
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What to Know About Human Trafficking & Foster Care

  • Foster Care
  • February 11, 2023
Human trafficking is a version of modern-day slavery. It is a crime where someone is forced or coerced into being entirely controlled by another person (someone that is referred to as a “pimp or “john”) and used for commercial sex acts or labor against their will. It is often referred to as the “crime that […]
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Black History Month: Activities to Celebrate

  • Foster Care
  • February 3, 2023
Celebrate Black History Month with events both in-person and virtual In honor of Black History Month, we’ve put together a list of activities that celebrate the history, arts, and culture of Black History. Check out the events below – some are in person and some are virtual, making this a perfect list for families living […]
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Learn about Emergency Foster Care with Shelter Inc.

  • Foster Care , Foster Parent Education
  • December 7, 2022
Let It Be Us is partnering with Shelter Inc to recruit homes for the Emergency Foster Care program Children in foster care face many challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the disruption they experience when they have to leave the home where they’ve been living, whether with biological or foster family. The Emergency Foster […]
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The Daily Herald: Let It Be Us announces third annual Toy Drive

  • Press
  • December 6, 2022
Let It Be Us welcomes individuals and businesses to celebrate this holiday season of giving by participating in its third annual Toy Drive to benefit children in foster care in Illinois. In 2021, Let It Be Us was thrilled to collect more than 1,500 high-quality toys for children in foster care. We hope to inspire […]
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Open Adoption – A 30+ Year Perspective From the Rear View Mirror

  • Foster Care , Foster Parent Education
  • November 28, 2022
Celebrating National Adoption Month My personal and professional life have been focused on adoption and, primarily, open adoption. I am the mother now of four unique free range young adults, three through open adoption. And by open I mean the most open. We, over time, have become family. It was never an event, it was […]
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Working throughout the State of Illinois
847-764-5428

Let It Be Us provides collaborative, innovative solutions for effective recruitment and placement within Illinois foster care and adoption, working throughout the State of Illinois.

Let It Be Us serves all children and believes all deserve a loving home. Let It Be Us is open and inclusive of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, gender expressions, and gender identities.

Let It Be Us is proud to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) All Children All Families Program as a Building Towards Inclusion Child Welfare Agency. Let It Be Us believes LGBTQIA+ identifying foster parents and children in care deserve respect and love, and we do our best to show that in our work.

Want to become a foster and/or adoptive parent?

CLICK HERE
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