Chicago HOPES for Kids Programs
Chicago HOPES for Kids Office, 318 W. Adams St., Suite 600C, Chicago, IL 60606
About
Chicago HOPES for Kids Programs offers literacy support, homework help, cultural enrichment opportunities, field trips, and personalized mentorship for students experiencing homelessness. The program also provides educational and specialized support, including academic support, dedicated mentorship, individualized literacy support, and basic needs services.
Patricia Rivera founded Chicago HOPES for Kids in 2006 as a Chicago Public School Homeless Education Program, and it became an established nonprofit in 2010. In 2012, Chicago HOPES for Kids was granted 501(c)(3) status as a charitable organization, and in 2020 it celebrated 10 years. The mission of Chicago HOPES for Kids is to provide comprehensive support to Chicago students and families experiencing homelessness, with a focus on academic support, dedicated mentorship, basic needs services, and direct academic services. The organization reports that over 730 students and families are impacted by its programs and services each year, and that it provides over 725 hours of individualized literacy support across 10 partner shelters. Chicago HOPES for Kids states that 56% of students in its after school program grew one or more reading levels in 12 weeks during the fall 2022 semester. The program is the only organization in Chicago that provides educational and specialized support directly to children experiencing homelessness, and its programming is trauma-informed. Chicago HOPES for Kids engages families by teaching parents how to advocate for their children in the public school system and uses person-first language such as “people experiencing homelessness.” Chicago HOPES for Kids collaborates with its community, has relationships with Chicago Public Schools, and operates programs in partner shelters and community-based sites in multiple Chicago neighborhoods. The leadership team includes Founder and Board Member Patricia Rivera, who has a Master of Social Work Degree from the Jane Addams College of Social Work in Chicago and is an LCSW and retired social worker, along with an executive director, program director, program managers, financial manager, volunteer manager, marketing and outreach manager, and development manager. The board includes professionals with roles such as board president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and additional board members with backgrounds in education, consulting, finance, engineering, academia, and business.
Last updated April 18, 2026.
Patricia Rivera founded Chicago HOPES for Kids in 2006 as a Chicago Public School Homeless Education Program, and it became an established nonprofit in 2010. In 2012, Chicago HOPES for Kids was granted 501(c)(3) status as a charitable organization, and in 2020 it celebrated 10 years. The mission of Chicago HOPES for Kids is to provide comprehensive support to Chicago students and families experiencing homelessness, with a focus on academic support, dedicated mentorship, basic needs services, and direct academic services. The organization reports that over 730 students and families are impacted by its programs and services each year, and that it provides over 725 hours of individualized literacy support across 10 partner shelters. Chicago HOPES for Kids states that 56% of students in its after school program grew one or more reading levels in 12 weeks during the fall 2022 semester. The program is the only organization in Chicago that provides educational and specialized support directly to children experiencing homelessness, and its programming is trauma-informed. Chicago HOPES for Kids engages families by teaching parents how to advocate for their children in the public school system and uses person-first language such as “people experiencing homelessness.” Chicago HOPES for Kids collaborates with its community, has relationships with Chicago Public Schools, and operates programs in partner shelters and community-based sites in multiple Chicago neighborhoods. The leadership team includes Founder and Board Member Patricia Rivera, who has a Master of Social Work Degree from the Jane Addams College of Social Work in Chicago and is an LCSW and retired social worker, along with an executive director, program director, program managers, financial manager, volunteer manager, marketing and outreach manager, and development manager. The board includes professionals with roles such as board president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and additional board members with backgrounds in education, consulting, finance, engineering, academia, and business.
Last updated April 18, 2026.
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