Dear Friends and Partners,
Welcome to our 2024-25 Impact Report. This year, we’ve selected a handful of the special people and perspectives behind Kids First Chicago (K1C) and chosen to uplift their voices.
Unlike our previous impact reports, we have included mostly first-person narratives from parent and staff leaders because we believe that authentic voice drives lasting impact in our city, and most importantly, for our kids.
With these stories, we celebrate the positive change that K1C parent champions have led and thank them for their unwavering partnership despite many neighborhood and districtwide education changes in recent years.
We invite you to explore the many perspectives from the K1C community beginning with Andrea Zayas as she looks back on her leadership journey with K1C and why it matters to center parents in education decisions. Lilia Guevara shares her shock and sadness in learning about school closures at Acero. Blaire Flowers celebrates the small victories won to ensure Chicago’s new school board represents Chicago families’ priorities. Claiborne Wade shares a dispatch from the Funding Illinois’ Future Advocacy Day in Springfield. Jessica Cañas also reflects on the powerful impact of the Civil Rights icon Ruby Bridges.
While the Chicago education landscape is filled with champions, we’ve chosen these perspectives because they uniquely embody the unwavering dedication to our city, students, communities, and schools.
You can access previous impact reports at kidsfirstchicago.org/our-impact.
Kids First Chicago (K1C) is a movement of community and parent leaders, investors, partners, and dedicated staff who put kids first every day. Thank you for being part of our movement!
Daniel Anello
CEO, Kids First Chicago
Laura Thonn
Board Chair, Kids First Chicago
Office Managing Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Kids First Chicago is making a difference in Chicago's education system.
In a time of significant challenges and transitions within Chicago public education, Kids First Chicago has accomplished big wins in 2024 with parent and partner support.
Parent Leadership Fellowship Turns Four
We have supported three cohorts of parent leaders, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to drive change in their communities. This year, we launched our fourth Parent Leadership Fellowship cohort, focusing on the South Side.
Activating Parent Leadership Teams Citywide
We have launched 20+ Parent Leadership Teams (PLTs) across 67 communities, enabling parents to address local education challenges collectively.
Task Forces
We have engaged 117 parents on four task forces focused on critical issues such as equitable funding, high-quality teaching, social-emotional learning, and fair school governance.
Our Voices & Perspectives
Kids First Chicago has solidified its reputation as a go-to resource for parent voice and data insights on Chicago public education, garnering attention from various media outlets.
Celebrating our Living Legacies
On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, more than 400 partners and friends gathered to reflect on the progress and challenges facing Chicago’s students and families. Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges joined in commemorating the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.
“It has been very important for me to put the power back into the hands of parents, to support them with the challenges they're experiencing, and to give them accurate information. You would be surprised that when given full agency, how many parents will step into their power and advocate for their children."
—Andrea Zayas, CPS educator and K1C parent leader
Introducing Champions for Change
Kids First Chicago is thrilled to announce Champions for Change, a giving society for donors pledging $500 or more annually for two or more years. Together, we can create a brighter future for all Chicago students.