On August 6, Kids Above All welcomed more than 70 faith and community partners from across metropolitan Chicago and the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church to its Better Life Distribution Center in Des Plaines. This Day of Celebration and Service honored the organization’s mission partners and gave attendees the opportunity to fill backpacks for children as part of its annual Back-to-School Drive. 

Lucy Rider Meyer, founder of the predecessor organization of KAA. Portrait by Celia Marie Petersen.

“For more than 130 years, Kids Above All’s partners have been essential to our mission of building better lives for kids and families,” said Dan Kotowski, KAA’s president and chief executive officer. “Because of you, children impacted by trauma have the hope, opportunities, and resources they need to realize their potential. We are truly grateful for your continued commitment to our mission.” 

Rev. Norval Brown, lead pastor at Cary and Fox River Grove UMCs, opened the event with a reflection on the legacy of Kids Above All’s mission partners, noting their nearly 131 years of dedication to building better lives for kids. He also reminded attendees that their ongoing work in the community truly does make a difference—quoting KAA’s founder, Lucy Rider Meyer: “I do believe the world is swinging towards the light.”  

Super Volunteers

Ed Williams and his certified therapy dog, Mango, were recognized as “Super Volunteers.” Since 2019, Ed, a member of Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, and Mango have brought comfort and joy to youth in KAA’s group homes in DuPage County—even visiting virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rev. Jacob Tipantasig-Wolverton, lead pastor at Community UMC in Naperville, presented Ed and Mango with a certificate, a painting by a group home youth, and a gift for Mango.

The gathering also incorporated a personal testimony from Wally Spitzer, a resident of the Lake Bluff Children’s Home from 1957 to 1962. He shared fond memories of his time in Lake Bluff, saying that he, too, benefited from a connection with a therapy dog while he lived there; this one a German shepherd named Taffy. 

Next, Rev. Mori Siegel, lead pastor at Ravenswood Fellowship UMC, accepted the Mission Partner Award on behalf of her congregation. “This award is not just a plaque or certificate,” said Rev. Siegel. “It is a reflection of our love in action.” 

Finally, to close the event, Deaconess Catherine Inserra, KAA’s manager of faith and community relations, expressed her gratitude: “Our mission partners are super in so many ways—from our United Methodist churches and United Women in Faith to our interfaith partners and community groups. You embrace Kids Above All’s mission because you care about children and genuinely want to make a difference.”

KAA’s nearly 131-year-old mission is to build better lives for children and families impacted by poverty, violence, and injustice. Since 1894, the organization has empowered more than 161,000 clients in under-resourced communities in Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Lake counties through early childhood education; safe, supportive housing; and trauma-informed counseling services.

To learn more about Kids Above All or to get involved, contact Deaconess Catherine Inserra or visit kidsaboveall.org.