Search this site

Get to know the dedicated team behind WeGo Together for Kids. Our passionate leaders and community partners work together to support families in West Chicago. Our Team Molly Beck Dean Director Roles: Mission oversight Partnership relationships Funding Fun Fact: I threw out the first pitch at a Major League Baseball game! e-mail Jennifer Rodriguez Early Childhood Manager Programs I Oversee: The Basics Implementation in West Chicago Early Childhood Collaboration Work Group Car Repair Program Summer Play Groups Fun Fact: I lived in Kathmandu, Nepal for three months while studying abroad. e-mail Hannah Martin Program Manager Programs I Manage at WeGo Together for Kids: Mobile Rx (Food Distribution at Timber Lake Apartments) Summer Family Fitness Nights Free Community Events (Morning at the Farm, Night at the Arboretum, Back to School Event, etc.) Winter Coat Distribution Fun Fact: I’m adopted. e-mail Andrea Garcia Communications Manager Roles: Manage social media accounts and Community e-news Maintain and update the website Capturing pictures at events Fun Fact: I love photography e-mail Lizette Barrera Housing Navigator Programs I Oversee: Housing Assistance Housing Resources Fun Fact: I graduated from Lewis University (Go Flyers!) e-mail

Volunteer with us at Mobile Rx and community events! Find a date that works for you and get involved today. Volunteer! Join us in supporting kids and families by exploring our volunteer opportunities and making a lasting impact in your community. Our volunteers at the Mobile Rx Mobile Rx Through the Mobile RX, WeGo Together for Kids partners with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Northwestern Medicine, and Timber Lake Apartments to bring nutritious food and resources to families in West Chicago each month. We couldn’t do this without our amazing volunteers. Join us in making a difference! Mobile Rx Volunteering Open Form Voluntariado de la Despensa Móvil Abrir Formulario Volunteers at WeGo Night at the DuPage Children's Museum Community Events Join WeGo Together for Kids at our community events in West Chicago! Volunteers play a key role in creating fun, safe, and memorable experiences for children and families while building strong connections throughout our community. Community Event Volunteering Open Form Voluntariado en eventos comunitarios Abrir Formulario Questions? We’re Here to Help Reach out to our Program Manager for more information, we’re happy to connect and help you get started. Hannah Martin Programs Manager hannahwgtk@gmail.com

Discover a full range of housing resources to help West Chicago families find safe, stable homes. From rental assistance and affordable housing options to tenant rights, homeownership guidance, and family support services, we’ve got the tools you need to thrive. Housing Resources Discover resources to support safe and stable housing for all. Our collection offers tools and guidance to find housing assistance, strengthen financial stability, and promote secure, healthy living environments. Rental Assistance View Resource Homeless Shelters View Resources Financial Fitness & Credit Building View Resources West Chicago Apartments View Resources Legal Resources View Resources Energy Efficiency View Resources Apartment/ House Search View Resources Tenants/ Landlord Rights View Resources

If You or Your Child Need Immediate Support Start Now Helping Your Child & Family (NAMI) Start Now Preparing for a Crisis Start Now NAMI: Kids & Parents Start Now What to Do if Your Child is in Crisis Start Now Youth Mental Health Directory (PDF) Start Now How to Talk About Mental Health (SAMHSA) Start Now Filter by Age/Group Parents Parents/Teen/Young Adult Filter by Language English English & Spanish Crisis Resources If You or Your Child Need Immediate Support Start Now Helping Your Child & Family (NAMI) Start Now Preparing for a Crisis Start Now NAMI: Kids & Parents Start Now What to Do if Your Child is in Crisis Start Now Youth Mental Health Directory (PDF) Start Now How to Talk About Mental Health (SAMHSA) Start Now Filter by Age/Group Parents Parents/Teen/Young Adult Filter by Language English English & Spanish Emotional Regulation Can't Find What Your Looking For? Reach out and provide details about what resource we can help you with! Contact Us

Housing Resources Family Fitness & Credit Builder Programs H.O.M.E. DuPage Program Type: Financial Fitness / Credit Services Offered: 1600 E Roosevelt Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187 (630) 260‑2500 Services Offered: Workshops & one-on-one coaching in budgeting, credit reports, banking, debt reduction Eligibility: DuPage residents; free Website DuPage PADS Empowerment Center Program Type: Budgeting & Credit Services Offered: 703 W Liberty Dr, Wheaton, IL (630) 682-3846 Services Offered: Offers “Personal Budget” & “Understanding Credit Report” workshops and coaching Eligibility: Clients served by PADS; free Website Pathways to Financial Health (GreenPath) Program Type: Financial Counseling Services Offered: Online/phone; MI-based but available nationwide 877‑933‑9974 Services Offered: One-on-one counseling on budgeting, debt, credit issues Eligibility: Public; likely free Website Christians Against Poverty (CAP Money Course) Program Type: Budgeting workshops Services Offered: Naperville, IL (DuPage) 888‑777‑4620 Services Offered: Free 3-session budgeting course Eligibility/ Cost: Free Website People’s Resource Center Program Type: Financial Literacy Workshops Services Offered: Various sites in DuPage County (630) 682-5402 Services Offered: Budgeting tools & financial education Eligibility/ Cost: Free for community Website Hope’s Front Door / Pathways Program Type: Budgeting & credit counseling Address/ Coverage: Downers Grove, IL (DuPage) (630) 322‑9803 Services Offered: 9-month budgeting & credit counseling program Eligibility/ Cost: Free services Website YWCA Metro Chicago Program Type: Financial Management Workshops Address/ Coverage: Addison, IL (630) 790‑6600 Services Offered: Virtual workshops on budgeting & understanding credit Eligibility/ Cost: Free Website Illinois State Treasurer Program Type: Online Financial Literacy Resources Address/ Coverage: Online Services Offered: Guides and tips for budgeting, credit, emergency funds Eligibility/ Cost: Free Website

Interested in becoming a partner? Connect with WeGo Together for Kids to collaborate on initiatives that support families and children in West Chicago. Become a Partner Help us accomplish our mission of impacting families and children throughout the WeGo community! We're Here to Answer Your Questions! If you have questions or comments, please reach out using the contact form. You can also contact our director, Molly Beck Dean, via email at beckdeanm@metrofamily.org Contact us First name Last name Email(Required) Phone(Required) Organization(Required) Message(Required) Submit

Thank you, Donor Name We are so grateful for your generous donation of $0. Your donation number is #1000. You’ll receive a confirmation email soon.

For 20 years, WeGo Together for Kids has brought our community together to support families, build connections, and create lasting change. Explore our story and see how we’ve grown together through the years. Our History For 20 years, WeGo Together for Kids has brought our community together to support families, build connections, and create lasting change. Explore our story and see how we’ve grown together through the years. 2005-2006 2009-2013 2014-2018 2019-2020 2021-2023 2024 2025 & Beyond WeGo Together for Kids remains committed to our mission to support and enhance the health, safety, learning, and well-being of West Chicago children and families through a collaborative, coordinated, and comprehensive approach. Connecting our community, strengthening our families 2024 WeGo Cooks program begins at District 94, with local chefs teaching students to prepare healthy meals. Seven new funders are secured for various programs and initiatives Community Events begin to connect families to new experiences and locations. Emerging need for mental health support results in new parent and teen trainings and five social work interns focused on wellness. Mobile Rx Food Distribution begins at Timber Lake Apartments. 160+ families served monthly. WGTK adds three staff positions – Housing Navigator, Early Childhood Manager and Program Manager. 2023 More than 60 agencies are active in WGTK. Communications Manager staff position added. Small Bites nutritional snack club expands to all District 33 schools. Playground at Main Park Apartments is built. The annual Back to School Event resumes in person and moves to Cantigny Park. 2021- 2022 Governance charter approved by Steering Committee and partners. Transition of administrative sponsorship from District 33 to Metropolitan Family Services. Coordinator of Partnerships resigns. Full time Director is hired whose solely responsible is for WGTK. WGTK’s website launches. Major fire at Main Park Apartments activates WGTK partners to provide long term support. 2020 WGTK Steering Committee begins working with consultant via Illinois Action for Children to develop governance charter During the pandemic, WGTK serves as a hub for funding, information sharing and community response. WGTK Partners respond to food accessibility needs by moving the WeGo Market to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Hundreds of families are served weekly. 2019 WGTK Founding Director resigns. Coordinator of Partnership position redesigned and oversees District 33’s Department of Partnerships and WGTK. 2016-2018 Community School Coordinators and Family Liaison positions are created WGTK receives Siemer Institute funding for work involving children experiencing homelessness and academic achievement. 2014-2015 Coordinator of Partnerships staff position created. WeGo Market opens at Leman Middle School. WGTK is awarded a federal Full Service Community Schools Grant for District 33 WGTK identifies six key result areas: Academic achievement, Youth and family health, Stable families, Community engagement, Emergency preparedness and Early childhood. 2009-2011 SS/HS grant ends but partners agree collaborative work is important and needs to continue. Collaboration has increased to 40 agencies. District 33 takes on administrative sponsor role and funds WGTK Director position. 2013 WGTK becomes first suburban United Way of Metro Chicago Neighborhood Network (UWNN) and receives grant funds for staff and programs. Metropolitan Family Services becomes fiscal sponsor. District 33 continues at administrative sponsor and houses staff. 2006 First WGTK collaboration meeting held with 14 partner agencies represented. Community Mental Health Clinicians are hired to serve District 33 children and families. 2005 Department of Justice Safe Schools, Healthy Students (SS/HS) grant awarded to District 33 focusing on violence prevention. WeGo Together for Kids Director (WGTK) is hired.

ACF: Resources for Parents & Caregivers Start Now Maternal & New Parent Mental Health Start Now Mental Health Resources for Parents Start Now Prioritizing Your Own Mental Health Start Now Self-Care for Family Caregivers Start Now Surgeon General: Parents’ Mental Health Start Now UNICEF: Parenting & Well-Being Start Now Filter New Parents Parents Filter by Language English English & Spanish Emotional Regulation ACF: Resources for Parents & Caregivers View More! Maternal & New Parent Mental Health View More! Mental Health Resources for Parents View More! Prioritizing Your Own Mental Health View More! Self-Care for Family Caregivers View More! Surgeon General: Parents’ Mental Health View More! UNICEF: Parenting & Well-Being View More! Filter by Tags New Parents Parents Filter by Language English English & Spanish Can't Find What Your Looking For? Reach out and provide details about what resource we can help you with! Contact Us

Explore how WeGo Together for Kids improves family well-being through early childhood education, health initiatives, community engagement, and support services in West Chicago. Our Commitment to the West Chicago Community At WeGo Together for Kids, we are dedicated to supporting and enhancing the health, safety, learning, and social-emotional well-being of children and families in the West Chicago community. Our collaborative approach focuses on six key result areas to foster a thriving environment for all. Linked Sources Literacy DuPage Puente del Pueblo CAPE Academic Achievement Ensuring that West Chicago children and families have access to continuous learning opportunities through afterschool programs, adult education, and summer learning initiatives. Strategies Out-of-school time/afterschool programming Adult education Summer learning opportunities Volunteers packing backpacks for our Back-to-School event Yoga from Summer Family Fitness Nights Youth and Family Health Promoting physical health and emotional well-being through nutrition education, physical activities, and mental health counseling for West Chicago families. Strategies Nutrition education Physical movement opportunities Mental health counseling Linked Sources Youth Outlook Healthy West Chicago NAMI DuPage Garden Works Project University of Illinois Extension WAYS DuPage Health Coalition Community Engagement Encouraging a sense of belonging by informing and involving West Chicago families in community events and initiatives. Strategies Community events Families getting books at the Movement & Play event Linked Sources West Chicago Public Library Casa Michoacan Healthy West Chicago Families picking up food from the Mobile Rx Stable Families Providing West Chicago families with access to resources that meet basic needs and support personal development, including case management, workforce development, and food access. Strategies Case management services Housing Navigation Access to food Linked Sources People’s Resource Center World Relief Chicagoland Wayne Township Food Pantry Neighborhood Food Pantry Emergency Preparedness Equipping West Chicago schools and community partners with the knowledge and resources to effectively respond to emergencies through education and preparedness initiatives. Strategies Community education and awareness building Disaster response People getting information at the Emergency Preparedness event Linked Sources West Chicago Police Department West Chicago Fire District DuPage Health Coalition DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform Early Childhood Supporting families and children aged 0-8 by providing playgroups, parent support, home visits, and early childhood music programs to build strong relationships and learning foundations. Strategies The Basics Therapeutic play Family playgroups and parent support groups Home visiting Parent-child workshops Early childhood music programming Kid playing with the Basics Play Bag blocks Linked Sources Educare West DuPage Teen Parent Connection West Chicago Park District Family Focus The Basics Birth to 3 Pioneer Preschool Puente del Pueblo YWCA Hopeful Beginnings Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

xplore our full list of resources, including mental health support, early childhood programs, The Basics insights, and housing services for families Resources Explore a wide range of resources to support you and your family. From housing and mental health services to early childhood programs and more, our goal is to connect you with the help you need. Early Childhood View Resource Mental Health View Resource Housing View Resource The Basics View Resource DPIL View Resource

Explore a complete library of early childhood resources, including parenting tips, education tools, and child development support to help families in West Chicago thrive. Early Childhood At WeGo Together for Kids, we believe every child’s journey should be filled with support, wonder, learning, and love, and it all starts from the moment your child is born! Whether you're a brand-new parent or growing your family, we’re here to connect you with the tools, programs, and support that help your little one dream big and shine even brighter. Let’s build a strong, joyful foundation together! EC Resources View Resource EC Providers View Resource The Basics View Resource Frequently asked questions General Why is Early Childhood so important? Did you know that 80% of brain growth occurs within your child’s first 3 years of life? In fact, 90% of your child’s brain is developed by age 5! The early years are a big deal! This is when little brains grow fast, building the skills they’ll use for life — learning, exploring, playing, and making friends along the way. This means we all have a BIG opportunity to make a huge difference in our child’s life from the very start. What Programs Are Available to West Chicago Families? West Chicago families with children aged 0-5 have amazing options like Early Intervention, Home Visiting programs, free and affordable Preschool, child development screenings, various child care options and family resources — all here to support your family’s journey! What is Early Intervention? Early intervention is a statewide program that gives children under the age of 3 a boost when they need a little extra help growing, learning, or communicating — because every child deserves to shine bright from the start! Specialists work closely with parents and caregivers, offering guidance and strategies that fit right into everyday routines at home and in familiar places — empowering families to help their children grow and thrive. What is Home Visiting? Home visiting brings caring experts right to your door with tips, fun activities, and support to help you and your child thrive together, from pregnancy through early childhood. What is the Difference Between Day Care and Preschool? Daycare offers a safe, loving place for children to play and grow throughout the day. Daycares offer longer hours to accommodate parent work schedules. Preschool gets kids ready for kindergarten by teaching children valuable skills that they need in order to be successful in school What is the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)? The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) makes it possible for families who qualify to receive financial help to pay for child care costs so that parents can work, attend training, or school. To learn more click here. Can I become a Home Child Care Provider? Yes you can! To learn more about how you can become a quality child care provider click here.