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, […]

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, […]

Foster Care , Latest News
March 21, 2022

In honor of National Women’s Month, Let It Be Us’ Deputy Director, Alex Montgomery, tells her story of adopting as a single mom. “I am prouder of my years as a single mother than of any other part of my life.” – J.K. Rowling Growing up, I never dreamt about getting married, although I assumed […]

Foster Care , Latest News
March 21, 2022

Gift Allows Organization to Recruit Foster Parents, Match Children with Foster Homes Let It Be Us, focused on helping children and teens in Illinois foster care, today announced expanded efforts to help children with special needs, funded by the Foglia Family Foundation. Funded with a multi-year gift, the initiative covers the recruitment of foster and […]

Foster Care , Latest News
March 15, 2022

Grace Butz Creates Fundraiser for Let It Be Us Supporting Young People in Foster Care When Grace Butz, a senior at Indiana University’s School of Business, a volunteer at Let It Be Us, and daughter of Let It Be Us Board Member Larry Butz, decided to do something special for her birthday she wanted it […]

Foster Care , Latest News
February 21, 2022

An interview with Illinois State Representative Lakesia Collins by Let It Be Us Director of Placement Support & Licensing Coaching Vanessa Baie I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Rep. Lakesia Collins, Illinois House Representative for the 9th District. Rep. Collins has a personal history with the foster care system in Illinois and is […]

Foster Care , Latest News
February 1, 2022

Learn about how Let It Be Us’s innovative programming helps children in Illinois Foster Care Let It Be Us, an Illinois licensed child welfare agency, has developed innovative programming for foster care that responds to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Service’s (DCFS) urgent needs regarding child welfare. Focusing on targeted foster parent recruitment […]

Foster Care , Latest News
January 18, 2022

Learn about the importance of fostering & adopting a teen from Illinois Foster Care In the state of Illinois, and throughout the country, there are many teens in need of families through foster care. Some need short-term homes, some need long-term or adoptive homes, and some need homes that will care for them not knowing […]

Foster Care , Latest News
January 11, 2022

Educating on Human Trafficking & Foster Care during National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month this January 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 […]

Foster Care , Latest News
December 14, 2021

Training to support LGBTQIA+ Kids in Foster Care Hi, foster care community! Let It Be Us is a proud supporter of LGBTQIA+ kids in foster care and we want to keep you informed about a new policy requirement recently created by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to support LGBTQIA+ kids in foster […]

Press
November 29, 2021

Let It Be Us Executive Director and Founder Susan McConnell and Director of Foster Care Licensing and Placement Support Vanessa Baie join John Williams to explain how their program works. About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the landscape of foster care and adoption in Illinois. […]

Latest News
October 4, 2021

Let It Be Us has teamed up with Actovos to help foster care caseworkers make faster child placement The Let It Be Us Placement Support Program works daily to locate foster homes available for children, including those in emergent need and those who are challenging to place. By adding the new Actovos texting technology to […]

Latest News
August 12, 2021

Barrington Area Community Foundation Awards Grant for Children in Foster Care As a pilot project that can be built as a model to expand to other communities, the Barrington Area Community Foundation has funded an awareness campaign and foster parent recruitment campaign managed by Let It Be Us, a 501(c)3 that identifies, recruits, and trains […]

Foster Parent Education , Foster Parent Recruitment
June 26, 2021

Foster care and adoption opportunities for Chicago's LGBTQ Community exist with Let It Be Us. Join our exclusive webinar on Tuesday, June 29, at 7:00pm to learn more about working with Let It Be Us and about obtaining a foster care license.

Foster Care
June 17, 2021

As we celebrate Fathers everywhere, we draw your attention to the Let It Be Us Board Chair, Bob Noonan, and his story that begins with the dawn of the pandemic and ends with a life changing experience that almost ended his time on this earth.

Latest News
June 1, 2021

The family of Dolores Ann “Lorrie” Paulson has established a memorial fund in her honor. Lorrie’s daughter, Jennifer McAndrews, is a long-time supporter of Let It Be Us and was the organization’s first board chair. In addition to being a loving mother, Lorrie and her husband, Deane, are also adoptive parents. Jennifer McAndrews, and her […]

Press
March 5, 2021

Today, CBS Chicago spotlighted Let It Be Us and Dr. Susan McConnell for Women’s History Month. 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 Be Us is to provide collaborative, innovative solutions of effective recruitment and placement within Illinois foster […]

Foster Care
November 30, 2020

#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. GivingTuesday will kick off the generosity season this year by inspiring people to give back on December 1st and throughout the year. Consider becoming one of US at Let It Be Us by supporting children […]

Foster Parent Recruitment
November 24, 2020

Carey's Humans of Adoption story is one of foster care and a possible adoption. The Let It Be Us Humans of Adoption series tells different stories and perspectives on what it is like to adopt a child through foster care.

Foster Parent Recruitment
November 19, 2020

He came into foster care when he was 5 years old. Sweet and kind, an incredible basketball player, and loaded with energy. But he kept being moved to different foster homes - one year he had to move six different times.

Foster Parent Recruitment
November 12, 2020

Carolyne's Humans of Adoption story is one of infertility, loss, foster care, and the future of a home full of children.

Foster Parent Recruitment
November 9, 2020

The Let It Be Us Humans of Adoption series tells different stories and perspectives on what it is like to adopt a child from foster care. You can read these stories on our blog and on our social media channels.

Latest News
November 6, 2020

Let It Be Us is a nonprofit organization that recruits parents through foster care and adoption for waiting children in Illinois. Wednesday’s Children of Illinois is a Let It Be Us publication that features Illinois waiting children.

Latest News
November 2, 2020

Latest News
August 27, 2020

Latest News
July 16, 2020

The family of Joan Morrissey Reese has established a legacy fund in her memory for her love of helping others, especially children, with Let It Be Us, a nonprofit dedicated to children in Illinois foster care. Joan passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on May 14 from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. She was […]

Latest News
January 25, 2020

The family of Megan Patricia Butz has established a legacy donation in her memory and for her love of helping others, especially children in foster care.

Foster Parent Recruitment
December 24, 2019

The joy of Christmas can best be seen through the eyes of a child in this Let It Be Us Christmas Story. Foster care and adoption are beautiful ways to build your family.

Uncategorized
May 13, 2015

As a foster dad, I was more than happy to join the board of Let It Be Us and become one of the early participants in the mission of helping children within the foster care system. It has been a great opportunity and personally a rewarding experience for me to get involved in the work […]

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