Concordia Place

10/13/2026

Today, we're celebrating our Place of Yes Champion of Youth Awardee.

A Place of Yes lives in the parents who show up, lean in, and say yes right alongside us — and Amy Bailey-Stobbs is one of them.

Since her daughter first enrolled at Concordia on Seeley, Amy has given her time and heart to our community, and she never stopped showing up — even after her daughter moved on from preschool. When we opened our doors to newly arrived migrant families, she was among the first to help. Thank you, Amy, for saying yes, again and again.

10/11/2026

Champion of Youth Awards: A Place of Excellence

A Place of Excellence is about never settling. We were honored to present this award to Lakeside Bank.

Lakeside has been a steadfast partner since our earliest days. Through their support of our annual golf outing and the leadership of CEO David Pinkerton, who served many years on our board, Lakeside Bank has helped keep Concordia Place strong and sustainable for generations to come.

Thank you for your commitment to excellence and your enduring impact.

10/09/2026

What a night Recess was! We're not quite done celebrating yet as we want to introduce to you to each of our Champions of Youth Awardees, starting with our Place of Belonging award.

A Place of Belonging means no one stands on the outside looking in. This year, we’re proud to honor Advocate Health for making that vision real. Their partnership has strengthened our Home Visiting program and helped welcome new arrivals to Chicago with dignity and care — from a warm welcome to essentials like clothing, food, and diapers. Thank you, Advocate Health, for meeting families where they are and helping our whole community feel at home.

10/06/2026

10/02/2026

What a night! Last night, we celebrated 45 years of Concordia Place at Recess — an unforgettable evening of dueling pianos, community, and connection.

But we did more than look back. Together, we launched the Nicholas J. Zook Education Fund — named for our founder, whose "yes" 45 years ago grew into everything Concordia Place is today. The fund ensures a child's opportunity is never decided by what their family can afford, carrying our mission into the next 45 years.

Thanks to our incredible community, we're already halfway to our $45,000 goal — and you can still be part of it. In honor of Pastor Zook's first "yes," every gift goes directly to the children, teens, and families who need us most. You can donate here: https://concordiaplace.app.neoncrm.com/forms/zook-education-fund

For 45 years, we've been a place of yes. Help us keep saying yes!

09/30/2026

Tomorrow’s the day!

After 45 years of memories, milestones, and community, we can’t wait to celebrate Concordia Place with all of you at Recess!

Join us tomorrow, October 1, for an unforgettable evening celebrating the people who make our mission possible.

We’ll see you there! 💙

09/29/2026

Soccer Stars x Concordia Place on Seeley is back! Programs for children between the ages of 1.5 to 5 years of age support physical development, self esteem and social skills. Spots are filling fast & classes start this weekend. Register soon at concordiaplace.org/soccerstars

09/25/2026

With Recess! just six days away, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank every member of our Concordia Place team.

None of this would be possible without your dedication, compassion, and commitment to our mission. Thank you for showing up each day and making a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve.

We can't wait to celebrate 45 years of Concordia Place, and all of the incredible people who have made it possible, at Recess! on October 1.

Get your tickets today at concordiaplace.org/recess

09/24/2026

Happy Throwback Thursday!

Today, we're not looking back at a single event, but instead reflecting on 45 years of Concordia Place. The impact this organization has had on students, families, and our community would not be possible without all of you. From day one to today, we are incredibly grateful for our Concordia family.

We can't wait to celebrate with you in just one week at Burning Bush Brewery for Recess!

09/23/2026

Nathaniel Viets-VanLear, VP of Youth Development and Impact, sat down with Kristen Molyneax, co-founder and president of Lever for Change, at the Every Child Thrives Festival. They discussed what it takes to build meaningful youth investment in Chicago and why the right support can help young people thrive—today and long term.