Preventative Services to Families With Children Ages 0-3

Since its founding, the foundation has had a strong interest in youth development. Service to young people was particularly mentioned in the founding documents. Recent scientific research about human development has supported the view that the first three years of life are critical in a child's development. The brain reaches 2/3 of its full size in the first eighteen months of life and the expectations and attitudes of very young children, learned largely by interaction with their parents, stay with them throughout the school years, and beyond.

Intervention to support parents and very young children who are at risk can be effective in preventing problems, which can only be corrected later at much greater cost, if at all. Changes in family structure in America, coupled with the breakdown of social supports and the government safety net in many communities have increased the burden facing parents, particularly in the inner city. The Trusts are most interested in organizations that work with families in high-quality, community-based programs that will be respectful, individualized, and flexible in responding to the needs of children and families. By supporting strong agencies offering excellent services to very young children and their families, the Trusts can improve the life prospects of some of Chicago's young and vulnerable citizens.

Improving the Quality of Child Care for Infants and Toddlers

With the enactment of welfare reform, many more very young children have been placed in care outside their homes. Often that care is of a mediocre or poor quality and puts the children at further risk. In response to that situation, the Trusts have made significant investments in projects that seek to improve the quality of care for infants and toddlers.

Emergency Services

Prince Charitable Trusts supports agencies that are increasing their capacity to serve people who are homeless according to the models of service identified in the Chicago Plan to End Homelessness (to read the plan, go to www.chicagocontinuum.org). Priority will be given to organizations that minimize barriers to permanent housing for the hardest to house, often individuals that struggle with substance use and/or mental illness.

Disaster Recovery

On rare occasions, grants are also made to support recovery efforts after major national or international disasters. NOTE: No unsolicited proposals are accepted for disaster recovery.

Selected Social Service Grants
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