Hephzibah Children's Association

06/18/2026

Parents should never have to choose between a paying the electricity bill and school supplies for their child. Hundreds of Hephzibah families have to make that choice every summer, as all-day childcare falls on already overburdened shoulders. The good news is we're 26% of the way towards our goal to raise $10,000 for school supplies by July 15th! Join the party at justgiving.com/campaign/hephzibahbacktoschool2026

06/17/2026

Our staff and volunteers don't just make the fun at Summer Hephzibah, they ARE the fun! You're more than a helping hand - volunteer at Longfellow Elementary school from June 15 to August 14 and play hard at Hephzibah's Summer Camp! Sign up at hephzibahhome.org/volunteer today.

06/15/2026

LGBTQ+ and questioning kids aren't going anywhere, and will always have a home at Hephzibah. We're committed to the authentic self-expression and diverse journeys of every child who comes through the doors of Hephzibah Home or works with one of our case workers 💜

06/11/2026

As costs everywhere are rising dramatically, the cost of back-to-school shopping is pricing many families out of a quality education. The national average of $858 per household is prohibitively expensive for many of the families we serve, so we’re asking for your help to raise: $10,000 to cover school supplies for every Hephzibah child and family by July 15! You can make a donation through the link in our bio that will go towards a bulk supply order, or drop off supplies at our office or at The Book Loft in Oak Park!

06/11/2026

As costs everywhere are rising dramatically, the cost of back-to-school shopping is pricing many families out of a quality education. The average cost of a household’s back-to-school costs in 2025 according to the National Retail Foundation was a staggering $858. This figure includes supplies, clothes and shoes, technology, and lunch gear for multiple kids. That’s prohibitively expensive for many of the families we serve, so we’re asking for your help to raise:
$10,000 to cover school supplies for every Hephzibah child and family by July 15! You can make a donation that will go towards a bulk supply order, or drop off supplies at our office or at The Book Loft in Oak Park!

It costs families hundreds of dollars to send their children to school each fall. Hephzibah steps in to help these families and make sure every child starts off the school year prepared to succeed.

06/10/2026

We're always looking for teen role models to inspire the next generation of Oak Park summer camp kiddos! Volunteer at Longfellow Elementary school from June 15 to August 14 and be a helping hand for our Day Care staff. Sign up at hephzibahhome.org/volunteer today!

06/09/2026

Our beloved Assistant Director of Hephzibah Home, Debbie Pontrelli, is retiring after 29 years of dedicated service to the children, staff, and families of Hephzibah. You've demonstrated trust, hope, and and kindness to hundreds of hurting children, and helped them rebuild from the ground up with abounding patience and gentleness. Wherever you go from here, you'll always have a home at Hephzibah 💜 Thank you for everything Debbie!

06/08/2026

We're SO grateful to the intrepid and deeply considerate volunteers from St. Giles School for making welcome bags for our incoming Hephzibah Summer Camp kids, and for deep cleaning our family visitation room! Starting in summer camp can be really scary, and having a personal note along with some fidgets and coloring supplies can do a lot to put a child at ease. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts 💜

06/05/2026

Water days are always a favorite at Summer Hephzibah - come join the party! We’re looking for teens ages 14-17 to volunteer at Hephzibah’s Summer Camp program at Longfellow Elementary school from June 15 to August 14! Volunteers will serve as positive role models for the kids (K-5) and a helping hand for our Day Care staff. Sign up at hephzibahhome.org/volunteer today!

06/04/2026

We have an URGENT need for speed; Hephzibah is looking for 8-10 new or lightly used children’s bikes (ages 10-12) for our summer camp programming! We’re incorporating service projects into our summer camp curriculum, and are looking for some bikes for our 6th graders to zip around Oak Park on. Give us a call or reach out to our Community Relations Manager Clara Bonnlander at [email protected] to coordinate a drop-off!
Share and spread the word to your bike-loving neighbors!