Issuu

C.I.T.Y. NEWS September 2026

cityofsupport.org hello@cityofsupport.org

Upcoming Events: DEVELOPMENTAL PLAYGROUPS: TUES 9/8 10:00-11:00 Arlington Heights Library TUES 9/8 4:00-5:00 Elmhurst Library SAT 9/12 10:00-11:00 Gail Borden Library (Elgin) TUES 9/15 10:30-11:30 Skokie Public Library CAREGIVER CONNECTION REQUESTS: SAT 9/5 2:00-3:00 AND TUES 9/8 7:00-8:00: Caregivers of Neurodivergent Kids & Tweens TUES 9/1 6:00-8:00pm Give-Back and UNpack NIGHT: Teachers & Therapists: an after-hours appreciation event where they’ll receive their free gifts. Register HERE! SAT 9/5 6:00-7:00pm Monthly Playdate at the Gymnastics Training Center in Lake Zurich. Drop in. WED 9/9 7:00pm Casual CITY Dad’s Hang Out. Spears in Wheeling. Drop in. Join the Dads email contact list: hello@cityofsupport.org THURS 9/10 7:00-8:00: Co-Regulation Hybrid Webinar for Parents & Professionals: Register HERE! THURS 9/17 7:00-8:00: Providers Connect SAT 9/26 8:00-11:00pm Annual CITY Tribute Concert Fundraiser. Our version of a “gala”--a casual & fun night out that powers CITY’s mission all year. Register HERE! THURS 10/8 7:00-8:00: “You Gotta Read This!” Annual Book Discussion. Register HERE!

In This Newsletter: P 1: UPCOMING EVENTS, CITY TRIBUTE CONCERT, GIVE BACK & UNPACK NIGHT

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! INCLUDES: LIVE CONCERT: COVER BAND, VALIUS COMPLIMENTARY DRINK FREE APPETIZERS INTERACTIVE GAMES & RAFFLES

FREE GIVEAWAY FOR TEACHERS & THERAPISTS TUESDAY, SEPT. 1st: 6:00-8:00pm

P 2: GENEROC.I.T.Y. SHOP: FALL CALENDAR, WEEKLY “MADE WITH GENEROCITY” SATURDAYS P 3: CAREGIVERS & PROVIDERS CONNECT, RESALE RELAY P 4: CLOSE-UP, “YOU GOTTA READ THIS!,” NEW BLOG P 5: SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT & OPPORTUNITIES

JOIN OUR NEW SHOP EMAIL LIST

cityofsupport.org/toy-shop

New programs every Saturday this fall at the GENEROC.I.T.Y. Shop: Sign up for the ones you’re interested in HERE!

UPDATED FALL CLASS SCHEDULE

BE SURE TO EXPLORE BOTH FALL SESSIONS, BY LOOKING AT DATES IN SEPT, OCT, & NOV FOR AVAILABILITY! NOT ALL CLASSES ARE FULL, SO SIGN-UP HERE TO JOIN THE FUN! (PRO-RATED REGISTRATION)

CLASSES ON THE CALENDAR IN GREEN ARE OFFERED AT NO COST!

THE SHOP WILL BE CLOSED on SAT, 9/12

We’d love to offer Yoga, Family Music, and Sign Language classes in the future. Keep spreading the word to increase interest for future sessions!

CAREGIVER CONNECTION REQUESTS

The GENEROC.I.T.Y. Shop was created to provide more in-person opportunities for connection, so when this request was made in our Facebook Group, we jumped at the chance to host! Based on caregiver feedback, we are excited to offer 2 opportunities with this specific population (“Caregivers of Neurodivergent Kids & Tweens”) in mind. Register for one or both HERE!

Have a particular group you’d like to connect with? Let us know, and we’ll schedule some dates at the shop! Email: hello@cityofsupport.org

PROVIDERS CAN CONNECT TOO! Last month we hosted a night where providers gathered, connected, and shopped (with a bonus discount!) Join us again in September-we’d love to make this a monthly opportunity!

Oct. 1st-Oct. 10th The GENEROC.I.T.Y. Shop is hosting its 2nd Resale Relay in Arlington Heights!

C.I.T.Y. Close-Up: Meet Stanley According to his parents:

"Being a medically complex kid, Stanley began therapies at 6 months old. He is now a rising second grader and keeping up academically with the right supports. We are fortunate to live in a fantastic school district that understands Stanley and his unique needs which has enabled him to flourish. Stanley is a real trooper throughout all his medical procedures. Despite his challenges, he is a sweet, loving boy who loves to laugh. He tries hard and is so proud when he masters a skill. He loves bike riding, swimming, running... pretty much anything that is active! At home he enjoys reading Calvin and Hobbs, playing video games and building Legos, especially things that go! For the most part, he and his sister Daphne get along great. Stanley is an all around great kid with an awesome smile!"

You could be our next winner! We share our monthly Close-Up post on the last Friday of every month in our Facebook Group. Comment there with your child's latest success story by 11:59pm on Wed, Sept. 9th, and you will be entered into our next random quarterly drawing to receive a family photo shoot with Something Blue Photography. You can earn 3 entries (1 for each month!)

2026 “YOU GOTTA READ THIS!” BOOK DISCUSSION When you finish reading, we think you’ll want to tell everyone that they’ve “gotta read it” too! Let’s use this book to create more discussions about disability & support in the community.

NEW BLOG POST Read through the newest article on our collaborative blog & register to participate in the live, FREE hybrid discussion:

“How Do We Define and Explain Co-Regulation?” Plus, join us for a hybrid webinar on THURSDAY, 9/10 from 7-8pm, offered live at the GENEROC.I.T.Y. Shop or on Zoom.

Continuing Education credit is currently pending for professionals in Early Intervention.

www.ipicknickjones.com

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to making your life easier by providing outstanding insurance and financial services—all under one roof. We know that every customer’s insurance needs are unique, which is why we deliver personalized plans tailored just for you.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: EVENT COMMITTEE: WE WOULD LOVE YOUR HELP!

Do you want to help us create and implement meaningful events for our C.I.T.Y? We have some exciting events coming up including our Give-Back & Pack Series and our annual C.I.T.Y. Tribute Concert Fundraiser. Everyone can help--adults and students 14+ years old. Complete our sign-up form to join in the fun!

VOLUNTEER AT THE GENEROC.I.T.Y. TOY SHOP! We are looking for motivated volunteers to help with organizing the donations, managing the sales floor, and assisting with programs, especially during our daytime shifts (9-12 and 12-3 during the week). Fill out an application if you would like to learn more about these critical (and fun) roles at our new shop location.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: SIGN UP FOR AN ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP & RECEIVE BENEFITS YEAR-ROUND Our traditional sponsorship tiers have changed for 2026. Anyone can be a C.I.T.Y. Ally! We are offering a more comprehensive list of year-round and event-based opportunities to better streamline your interests and participation priorities when looking at the year ahead. Variety of payment options. You can select to pay in full, divide your pledge across 12 months, or add to your sponsorship throughout the year. With the opening of our new physical location, we are excited to share some NEW opportunities for us to showcase your contribution as a C.I.T.Y. Ally!

NOW ACTIVELY SEEKING CONCERT & 2027 PRINTED CALENDAR SPONSORS Learn more about these opportunities here!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROC.I.T.Y!