Family First Center

06/03/2026

Yesterday at programming we had a great time with our friends and partners PADS Lake County, Inc. - we’re now here Monday through Friday in two age group sessions where kids come to our room to hang out, eat, do activities, learn protective and preventative factors, character development and have fun. We’re so grateful for them and partners like Women United of United Way of Lake County and Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

06/03/2026

Thank you to all our families who went to the Garden Bros Circus! Thank you to the circus staff! Thank you to the FFCLC staff!! See you all next time.

06/01/2026

We're excited to announce that this Saturday, June 6 from 9 AM - 11 AM at the Zion-Benton Public Library, we'll be hosting a supportive, learning session with Birth to Five Illinois Region 34 on parenting. Together, we'll talk all about how to manage stress, encourage & reinforce good behavior, and build strong connections with your kids as a parent.

Spanish interpretation available!

Register here to join us: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=U_ju6rN4h0mCK94ZeMAwHZCzjJyOrvhDrijPLbMkMIhUNzg3TFZHNEhXWVBHT0dKQTJCSFo4NFBPSS4u&origin=QRCode&route=shorturl

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Nos entusiasma anunciar que este Sábado, 6 de Junio, de 9:00 AM a 11:00 AM, en la Biblioteca Pública de Zion-Benton, organizaremos una sesión de aprendizaje y apoyo sobre la crianza en colaboración con Birth to Five Illinois (Región 34). Juntos, conversaremos sobre cómo manejar el estrés, fomentar y reforzar el buen comportamiento, y construir conexiones sólidas con sus hijos.

¡Habrá interpretación al español disponible!

Regístrese aquí para acompañarnos: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=U_ju6rN4h0mCK94ZeMAwHZCzjJyOrvhDrijPLbMkMIhUNzg3TFZHNEhXWVBHT0dKQTJCSFo4NFBPSS4u&origin=QRCode&route=shorturl

05/31/2026

It takes a village—and our village showed up BIG.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to our sponsors and community partners who are helping make the 2026 Lake County Juneteenth Parade & Festival possible. Because of your support, we're bringing together:

✨ 50+ parade entries
🏪 60+ sponsor and vendor booths in the IL Black Alliance Chamber of Commerce Vendor Village
🍽️ Amazing food vendors
🎈 The Family First Center Kids Zone
🎤 Incredible performances on the BCU Freedom Stage
🚐 The African American Museum at The England Manor Juneteenth Journey presented by United Way of Lake County
🤝 Thousands of community members celebrating freedom, culture, and unity

From businesses and nonprofits to elected officials, schools, faith organizations, and community leaders, your investment helps ensure this celebration continues to grow and thrive for generations to come.

Lake County, this is YOUR event.

Join us Saturday, June 20th in Downtown Waukegan at the Juneteenth Lake County Parade & Festival 2026 as we celebrate Black history, Black excellence, and the enduring spirit of freedom.

Special thanks to: BCU, Family First Center, Lake County Community Foundation, Jesus Name Apostolic Church, JIC, Waukegan Township, Diamond Residential, College of Lake County, Old National Bank, City of Waukegan, State Senator Adriane Johnson, Waukegan Public Schools, City of Hope, ILBACC, American Place Casino, Legacy, United Way of Lake County, Congressman Brad Schneider, Mano A Mano Family Resource Center, City of North Chicago, North Chicago Public Schools, State Representative Rita Mayfield, NIRCO, Anton Mathews, Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg, The Community Works, AbbVie, National Pan-Hellenic Council of Lake County, Lake County Democrats, Waukegan Park District, Brushwood Center, Center for Immigrant Progress, The Booker Foundation, Black Lives Matter Lake County, Clean Power Lake County, North Chicago City Treasurer Vance Wyatt, Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County, National Association of University Women, Waukegan Township Democrats, Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, Lake County Regional Office of Education Superintendent Dr. Michael Karner, Waukegan Mail Depot, JustDoIt_Vote, Citi Mortgage, and Waukegan to College, Green Town Tavern.

Tag a friend, share this post, and make plans to join us. See you at the parade and festival! ✊🏾🎉

05/31/2026

🎪 HALFWAY THERE & ALREADY AMAZING! 🎉

Our 1:00 PM show just wrapped, and WOW — the magic is REAL! ✨ 146 families. 623 people. One incredible day at the Garden Bros Nuclear Circus, and we're only just getting started! 🎪❤️

A massive THANK YOU to Garden Bros Circus staff, and every single performer and professional who is making this day so special. The dancing, the gasps, the wide-eyed wonder — our families are having the time of their lives, and it's all because of YOU! 🌟

To our Family First Center of Lake County staff — you already know. You show up, you shine, and you go the extra mile every single time. Thank you for pouring your hearts into this day and into our neighbors. We couldn't do any of this without you. 💙

We are, as always, honored and honestly a little shocked by the trust you place in us, the response you show up with, and the beautiful community we are building together. This is family. This is old school fun. This is US. 🫶

📲 Follow us for more — because June is coming, and we've got something happening TWICE in one month. Always free, always fun, always with excellence and love.

— Family First Center of Lake County 💙

🎪 ¡A MITAD DE CAMINO Y YA ES INCREÍBLE! 🎉

Nuestro espectáculo de la 1:00 p. m. acaba de terminar, y WOW, ¡la magia es REAL! ✨ 146 familias. 623 personas. Un día increíble en el Garden Bros Nuclear Circus, ¡y apenas estamos empezando! 🎪❤️

Un enorme GRACIAS a Garden Bros Nuclear Circus, a su personal fenomenal y a todos los artistas y profesionales que están haciendo que este día sea tan especial. El baile, los jadeos, la maravilla de los ojos muy abiertos: nuestras familias están pasando el mierto de sus vidas, ¡y todo es gracias a TI! 🌟

A nuestro personal de Family First Center of Lake County, ya lo saben. Te presentas, brillas y haces un esfuerzo adicional cada vez. Gracias por derramar sus corazones en este día y en nuestros vecinos. No podríamos hacer nada de esto sin ti. 💙

Estamos, como siempre, honrados y honestamente un poco sorprendidos por la confianza que deposecas en nosotros, la respuesta con la que te presentas y la hermosa comunidad que estamos construyendo juntos. Esto es familia. Esto es diversión de la vieja escuela. Esto es EE. UU. 🫶

📲 Síguenos para más, porque se acerca junio, y tenemos algo sucediendo DOS VECES en un mes. Siempre libre, siempre divertido, siempre con excelencia y amor.

— Family First Center of Lake County 💙

05/29/2026

EVERYONE is welcome 🙏🏽 we will be providing free food all day, and five bounce houses, games, prizes, books, activities and more! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️❤️❤️

🔥 Big news! Family First Center is back as our Platinum Sponsor for the 2nd year in a row for the 3rd Annual Zion Juneteenth on the Beach!

Because of their generous support, ALL FOOD IS FREE ALL DAY! 🍔🥤🙌🏾

Thank you for continuing to invest in our community and helping make this celebration unforgettable.

📍 Illinois Beach Resort
📅 June 13, 2026 | 11AM–6PM

05/26/2026

Hi families! We are excited to share the sign-up form for this Sunday's FREE field trip to the Garden Bros Nuclear Circus 🤡: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FFCCircusTripMay2026 . Transportation will be provided! 🚌

📅 Date: Sunday, May 31
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM
📍 Location: Garden Bros Nuclear Circus - 160 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake, IL 60030

✨ Sign up today! Spots are limited! We look forward to seeing you soon! ✨

🎪

¡Hola, familias! Nos da mucho gusto compartir el formulario de inscripción para la excursión GRATIS de este Domingo al Garden Bros Nuclear Circus 🤡: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FFCCircusTripMay2026 . ¡Se proporcionará transporte! 🚌

📅 Fecha: Domingo, 31 de Mayo
⏰ Hora: 10:30 AM
📍 Lugar: Garden Bros Nuclear Circus - 160 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake, IL 60030

✨ ¡Inscríbanse hoy mismo! ¡Las plazas son limitadas! ¡Esperamos verlos pronto! ✨

05/21/2026

🌸 Last night’s/Running on Love Mom Group was pure magic! 🎂

There’s just something special about gathering together, sharing laughs, and creating something beautiful side by side. Last night, our amazing mamas got hands-on with a cake decorating activity — and let me tell you, the creativity was NEXT LEVEL! 🧁✨

We love what these monthly meetings have become: a space where moms can breathe, connect, and pour into themselves while knowing their little ones are cared for. With hands-on activities, childcare, resources, and real community, this group is growing into something truly beautiful.

🌊 Mark your calendars for our next event!
What**: A picnic just for YOU 🧺
When**: June 13th
The Vibe**: A special tent just for the moms to hang out and relax, delicious BBQ, and a dedicated play area so the kids can have a blast too!

To every single lady who showed up last night — THANK YOU. You make this community what it is, and we can’t wait to see you all next month! 💛

And because of how much this group is growing… let’s just say we’re outgrowing our current space! 👀 Stay tuned for exciting updates — big things are coming!

See you June 13th, mamas! 🌊☀️🍉



🌸 ¡El grupo Rooted & Rising/Running on Love Mom de anoche fue pura magia! 🎂

Hay algo especial en reunirse, compartir risas y crear algo hermoso uno al lado del otro. Anoche, nuestras increíbles mamás se sompusos a la obra con una actividad de decoración de pasteles, y déjame decirte, ¡la creatividad fue el SIGUIENTE NIVEL! 🧁✨

Nos encanta en lo que se han convertido estas reuniones mensuales: un espacio donde las madres pueden respirar, conectarse y derramarse en sí mismas mientras saben que sus pequeños son cuidados. Con actividades prácticas, cuidado de niños, recursos y comunidad real, este grupo se está convirtiendo en algo verdaderamente hermoso.

🌊 ¡Marquen sus calendarios para nuestro próximo evento!

Qué**: Un picnic solo para TI 🧺

Cuándo**: 13 de junio

The Vibe**: ¡Una tienda especial solo para que las madres pasen el rato y se relajen, una deliciosa barbacoa y un área de juegos dedicada para que los niños también puedan pasarlo en grande!

A todas las damas que aparecieron anoche, GRACIAS. Ustedes hacen de esta comunidad lo que es, ¡y no podemos esperar a verlos a todos el próximo mes! 💛

Y debido a lo mucho que este grupo está creciendo... ¡dijamos que estamos superando nuestro espacio actual! 👀 Estén atentos a las actualizaciones emocionantes, ¡se acercan grandes cosas!

¡Nos vemos el 13 de junio, mamás! 🌊☀️🍉