Hello Baby Nfp

Free play center -- hello baby operates a free play center located at woodlawn community on the southside of chicago to help meet the needs of underserved families. The play center is where parents or caregivers can bring their infants and toddlers, without any charge or fee, for the children to play, socialize and learn skills. Hello baby began operations at the play center in july 2017, aftering having completed the leasehold improvements to the facility. Since its opening on 07/10/2017, hello baby has had approximately 1,619 first-time visits and 14,750 repeat visits, serving a variety of children and their parents or caregivers, primarily from various neighborhoods on the southside. Hello baby is an essential part of the community (along with its various commuinity partners) - with facilitated open play, meaningful daily programs, distriubtion of essential supplies, outdoor adventures, listening ears and open hearts. The result is happy children and happy parents/caregivers. Program outcomes include (1) strengthened language skills, (2) enhanced caregiver knowledge of early childhood development, (3) connecting families to larger systems of network care, (4) referral of a wide range of social services, (5) filling some of the gaps left by public aid programs, (6) created a culture of attendance, and (7) increase in some of the factors that contribute to resilience.