Daily Herald: Barrington-based group walks the walk in fostering adoption solutions

Press
December 2, 2024

As thousands of children in Illinois await adoption, one Barrington nonprofit is doing its part to find them permanent homes. Let It Be Us operates out of a small office at 145 W. Main St. in Barrington, but it has big goals as it seeks to match children and teens with loving families. Ten years […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Latest News
September 30, 2024

Let It Be Us Announces Partnership with The Bridge Youth & Family Services for Host Home Recruitment Let It Be Us enters the new frontier of child welfare by announcing a partnership with The Bridge Youth & Family Services for Host Home Recruitment. Host Home Families welcome children in grade, middle and high school who […]

Press
July 29, 2024

Barrington resident Susan McConnell worked on a project for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for more than 10 years, recruiting foster families to adopt children. “I saw that there was a huge gap between the kids who needed a family and families who wanted to adopt,” she recalled. “They just didn’t know […]

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 […]

Latest News
July 18, 2024

Let It Be Us, a leading nonprofit dedicated to providing innovative solutions for foster care and adoption in Illinois, proudly recognized two of its inaugural board members, Elizabeth Felice and Douglas Locke, with 10-year service awards at the 6th annual Be Mine gala. The event, held on May 10 at Chicago’s Walden event venue, celebrated […]

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 […]

Press
July 1, 2024

In this feature from WBBM Newsradio Dr. Susan McConnell reflects on a decade of impact at Let It Be Us, spotlighting how the organization connects foster and adoptive families with children in need across Illinois and the ongoing statewide demand for loving foster homes. About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is an […]

Press
June 24, 2024

Let It Be Us was recently featured on NBC Chicago, showcasing our mission to connect children in foster care with loving, permanent families. Watch how we’re making a difference in the lives of kids across Illinois! About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is an Illinois 501(c)3 and licensed child welfare agency. The […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Press
May 3, 2024

Each year– thousands of children enter foster care in Illinois. And one local organization is on a mission to connect them with a stable, loving home. Let It Be Us is working toward a future where vulnerable children have the opportunities and resources they deserve –in belonging in a family. Susan McConnell and Elizabeth Felice […]

Press
May 3, 2024

Today, WGN News highlighted how Let It Be Us is transforming foster care and adoption in Illinois. Thousands of children enter foster care in the state, and Let It Be Us is working to connect them with stable, loving families through innovative programs and outreach. About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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: […]

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 […]

Foster Care
October 30, 2023

November is a special month on the calendar for many reasons, and one of them is National Adoption Month. This annual observance is a time to celebrate the countless stories of love, hope, and family that have been created through adoption. It’s also an opportunity to review solutions to the fact that many children in […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

Foster Care
August 2, 2023

The summer has been in full swing with so many fun things to do! Vacations, water parks, barbeques, festivals, and the like have been more than ever, making us all feel great about the season. But with the end of summer comes another season… Back to School! As someone whose parents were both teachers, the […]

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, […]

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 […]

Press
July 16, 2023

In this feature from 365Barrington, Let It Be Us appoints Vince Foglia as its new Board Chair and introduces five new board members. The article highlights the leadership changes and outlines how the organization aims to continue its mission of recruiting foster and adoptive parents, particularly supporting children with special healthcare needs. About Let It […]

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 […]

Foster Care
July 13, 2023

Leadership Will Continue to Build Organization’s Legacy in Foster Care and Adoption and Activate Program for Children with Special Healthcare Needs Let It Be Us is proud to announce today it has appointed Vince Foglia as the new board chair and also voted five new members to the board of directors. The collective expertise of […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Foster Care , Foster Parent Education
January 30, 2023

A Blog Post for National Mentoring Month The month of January is National Mentoring Month. It was founded by the Harvard School of Public Health in 2002. According to Harvard economist Raj Chetty, “growing up in a community connected across class lines improves kids’ outcomes and gives them a better shot at rising out of […]

Press
January 3, 2023

CHICAGO (CBS) — All kids in the foster care system are in need of a loving home, whether on a temporary or permanent basis. Statistics show teens are more likely to have a difficult time finding that home than any other age group, but they’re eligible for state help only through age 21. So what happens […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Foster Care , Foster Parent Education
November 28, 2022

Closing Out 2022 National Adoption Month with a Look Back at Humans of Adoption Series Our vision at Let It Be Us is permanency for every child. Permanency is a technical term used in child welfare, but to us it means connection. Relationships that are consistent, nurturing and supportive, relationships that make children feel safe […]

Foster Care , Foster Parent Education
November 17, 2022

In honor of National Adoption Month, Let It Be Us’ Deputy Director Alex Montgomery explores the importance of the biological family. “The question to ask is not ‘Who does this child belong to?’ but ’Who belongs to this child?’” Sharon Roszia, The Open Adoption Experience At Let It Be Us, we talk a lot about […]

Press
November 13, 2022

Founder and Executive Director of Let It Be Us Susan McConnell joins the Steve Cochran Show to talk about how Illinois residents can become foster parents, achieving permanency for youth in foster care, and the different services Let It Be Us provides. About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is an Illinois nonprofit […]

Foster Parent Recruitment
October 17, 2022

The Let It Be Us Springboard to Adulthood Program is bringing a new employment technology to support the young people in the Program who are aging out of foster care, as well as those in the program who have recently aged out. The young people in the Springboard to Adulthood Program will have the benefit […]

Foster Care , Latest News
October 4, 2022

In honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, Let It Be Us’ Deputy Director Alex Montgomery explores the intersection of domestic violence and child welfare. After graduating law school, my first job was a fellowship at a legal aid organization where I represented survivors of domestic violence. It was there that I learned […]

Foster Care , Latest News
September 13, 2022

The purpose of this information is to instruct the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and private agencies on how to use the Let It Be Us Placement Support Program. Let It Be Us is an Illinois licensed child welfare agency and we operate in the space of foster home recruitment and foster […]

Foster Care , Latest News
August 23, 2022

To address the urgent need for licensed foster homes in Lake County, Illinois, Let It Be Us, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to the care and well-being of youth in Illinois foster care, is holding a foster parent and CASA volunteer recruitment event on Sept. 17, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Keogh Center, […]

Foster Care , Latest News
August 22, 2022

This summer has been great and feels like pre-pandemic times with festivals, concerts, and family vacations returning in a booming way. But with the end of summer comes another season… Back to School season! As someone whose parents were both teachers, the start of a new school year meant lots of preparation and careful […]

Foster Care , Latest News
June 1, 2022

Let It Be Us partners with Shetler, Inc. in recruiting homes for Emergency Foster Care covering all of Chicago and the Northern Region of Illinois. Let It Be Us partners with Shetler, Inc. in recruiting homes for Emergency Foster Care covering all of Chicago and the Northern Region of Illinois. We are in search of […]

Foster Care , Latest News
May 3, 2022

Let It Be Us is partnering with Northwestern University regarding special needs foster care, creating a survey for licensed foster parents and unlicensed prospective foster parents. . We’ve developed a survey for both licensed foster parents and unlicensed prospective foster parents interested in caring for children with special needs – if that sounds like you, […]

Foster Care , Latest News
May 2, 2022

Through significant multi-year seed funding by the Foglia Family Foundation, Let It Be Us is launching the Special Families program to focus on recruiting foster homes for children in care with specialized needs as well as ensuring children with special needs in foster care are matched with the right placement so they can thrive. To […]

Foster Care , Latest News
April 28, 2022

In 1983, April was proclaimed National Child Abuse Prevention month in order to recognize and focus on the importance of healthy, stable families and keeping children protected and safe from harm. The goal is to spread awareness and encourage communities to join together in these efforts. As we move toward the close of National Child […]

Foster Care , Latest News
April 28, 2022

Nonprofits are a critical sector in our society. Through offering our support of the Nonprofit Sector Strength and Partnership Act of 2022, Let It Be Us is working to support equitable outcomes for nonprofits and communities alike. We join with other child welfare organizations from Illinois and across the country to support this act and […]

Foster Care , Latest News
April 18, 2022

Gigi’s Playhouse is a national organization whose achievement centers provide programming and support for children with Down Syndrome and their families. Let It Be Us is partnering with Gigi’s Playhouse, a national organization whose achievement centers provide programming and support for children with Down Syndrome and their families. The vision of Gigi’s Playhouse is to […]

Foster Care , Latest News
April 7, 2022

Let It Be Us partners with the Illinois DCFS Medical Director on upcoming virtual educational event Dr. Margaret Scotellaro, Medical Director for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will speak on foster care, adoption and the needs with respect to children in Illinois foster care with special needs, including Down Syndrome, Autism, […]

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