Blog
From Fellow to Force: Tierra Pearson’s Journey to Parent Advocacy
Tierra Pearson’s journey through Kids First Chicago’s Parent Leadership Fellowship shows how parent leadership can spark lasting change. From inaugural fellow to West Side Community Engagement Coordinator, she reflects on finding her voice, building power, and helping other parents step confidently into advocacy for their children.
Rooted in Advocacy: Teresa’s Journey Through Parent Leadership Fellowship
Teresa’s Parent Leadership Fellowship journey is a story of growth, courage, and community. Through PLF, she found her voice as a parent leader, strengthened her advocacy for her children, and discovered the power of showing up—not just for her family, but for others too.
Insights from Rapid Response Parent Poll on May 1
Kids First Chicago poll finds that most Chicago parents say keep schools open on May 1 and want a say in the decision.
When will we ask parents about the May 1, Day of Action?
A debate has been playing out between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union over May 1; no one's asking CPS parents.
Parent Leader Reflection, José Quiles
José, a K1C parent champion, reflects on a lifetime of working with families, immigrants, and young people — finding that true fulfillment was never found in titles or recognition, but in the quiet, lasting transformation of those he served. Rooted in faith, his legacy lives on in every life that moved forward because someone chose to stop and help them rise.
Daniel Anello: As immigration enforcement intensifies, CPS needs to share real-time data to protect students
Originally published in Chicago Tribune on January 30, 2026
Opinion: CPS mustn't let enrollment declines shortchange the students it serves
Published originally in Crain's Chicago Business on January 21, 2026.
My Why: MLK Day, the PIE Summit, and the Call to Good Trouble
This MLK Day reflection connects a pivotal college experience, the PIE Summit in Atlanta, and a visit to Dr. King’s home to a renewed sense of purpose in the fight for educational equity. It is a personal reminder of why standing on the front lines for families and students matters now more than ever.
How a Federal Child Care Funding Freeze Could Hit Chicago Public Schools
A proposed federal freeze on child care and family assistance funds threatened to destabilize providers and families across Illinois. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the freeze, offering short-term relief while uncertainty remains if the ruling is appealed.
A Spot in the Kitchen: The Important Role Parents Play in School Safety
Kids First Chicago led a featured parent panel at the Gun Violence Prevention Expo, highlighting parents as key leaders in advancing school safety and social-emotional well-being. The session reinforced that parents are no longer satisfied with a seat at the table—they want a spot in the kitchen, helping cook the solutions that keep Chicago’s youth safe.
What 2025 Taught Us About Parent Power
Across Chicago, families showed up not just to react to decisions, but to influence them by asking hard questions, sharing lived experience, and insisting that schools work better for their children. At Kids First Chicago, we believe parents hold essential expertise about what students need to thrive. This year, that belief was affirmed again and again.
A Year at Kids First Chicago: What I’ve Learned from Listening to Chicago Families
My first year at Kids First Chicago has been a journey of listening, learning, and connection. Every conversation with parents, caregivers, and community members has deepened my belief that those closest to the challenges are best equipped to create the solutions.