NEWS AND UPDATES

Ceremonial Groundbreaking at the Carole Robertson Center’s Little Village Flagship Site

On October 21, community leaders, elected officials, funders, staff, and board members convened at our Little Village flagship site to celebrate upcoming renovations with a ceremonial groundbreaking. These capital improvements are supported by Invest Today, Empower Tomorrow, the Carole Robertson Center’s first large-scale fundraising campaign.

The renovations will also allow for substantial updates to our early childhood classrooms and youth development spaces, ensuring that children of all ages have access to engaging environments that support their growth and development.

In addition to site tours, guests heard from keynote speakers that included our President and CEO Bela Moté, State Senator Lakesia Collins, Campaign Cabinet Chair Cornelia Grumman, Jose Rodriguez from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Alderwoman Monique Scott, and Christen Wiggins from The Chicago Community Trust. Each speaker emphasized the vital importance of investing in early childhood education and supporting neighborhood families.

This event not only marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Carole Robertson Center but also served as a powerful reminder of the collective impact that community investment can have on shaping the future for our children. “We need everybody to help us get to the finish line,” said Moté.

Construction begins at our Little Village flagship site later this year, with renovations likely completed by 2026. Families need not worry about program interruptions, though—we’ll be fully operational during the entire renovation period.

We Rise Together Awards $750,000 Grant for Capital Improvements at Little Village Flagship Site

The Carole Robertson Center for Learning is immensely grateful to We Rise Together—a funders collaborative focusing on community ownership and supporting Black and Latinx communities—for awarding us a $750,000 grant toward capital improvements at our Little Village flagship site.

To enhance our Little Village location and services for the community, the grant will support much-needed building innovations to our largest flagship site, which currently serves more than 300 children ages 0-17 on Chicago’s West Side. We Rise Together’s commitment to strengthening Chicago communities aligns with our organization’s mission to educate, enrich, and empower local children and families through year-round early education and youth development programming.

“An investment in early learners is an investment in our city’s future,” said Carole Robertson Center President & CEO Bela Moté. “By supporting facilities improvements at our Little Village site, We Rise Together enables us to create spaces of belonging and empowerment for the children and families we serve. Community investment is an act of social justice, and we thank We Rise Together for working with us to build a brighter, more equitable tomorrow on Chicago’s West Side.”

State Senator Ram Villivalam Secures $450,000 in State Funding Toward Capital Improvements at the Carole Robertson Center for Learning’s Albany Park Flagship Site

CHICAGO, IL—The Carole Robertson Center for Learning, an early childhood and youth development organization in Chicago, will receive $450,000 in state funding toward capital improvements at its Albany Park flagship location, thanks to the support of State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago).

These funds will support much-needed upgrades and deferred maintenance at the facility, which currently serves over 300 children ages 0-17 in Chicago’s far North Side. The building was previously home to the Albany Park Community Center (APCC). The Carole Robertson Center for Learning acquired APCC in August 2021 to continue and expand on the work of another community anchor institution.

“Senator Villivalam epitomizes what it means to be a true champion for children and families,” said Bela Moté, President and CEO of the Carole Robertson Center for Learning. “Thanks to the senator’s responsiveness and advocacy, we can enhance our capacity to bring high-quality learning environments, culturally responsive programs, and whole-family care to one of the nation’s most diverse neighborhoods.”

In addition to offering year-round early education and out-of-school-time (OST) programming, the Carole Robertson Center’s Albany Park location provides wraparound family support services including health and mental health programs, as well as opportunities for family advocacy.

“I am proud to support the Carole Robertson Center for Learning and their efforts to provide quality education for the youth of our community,” said State Senator Villivalam. “This funding will help update the flagship location to facilitate their child care, advocacy, youth development, and educational programs that provide our youth with the tools necessary to succeed and excel in school. I look forward to the updates coming to the Carole Robertson Center for Learning and am proud to continue supporting their efforts and vision.”