Join us at Cantigy in Wheaton for our annual back-to-school event! An evening full of family events, entertainment, and school supply giveaways! Back To School Event Join us August 10th at Cantigny Park for a special event for West Chicago students and families. The event will feature a backpack giveaway, 70+ community resource partners, health fair, safety zone, and raffles. LOCATION : Cantigny Park Date : August 10th, 2026 Time : 5:30-7:30 pm Volunteers handing out backpacks at the Back to School Event Volunteering Thank you for your interest in volunteering at our Back-to-School Event! Volunteer registration for the 2026 event is now closed. We are grateful for the incredible community members who have signed up to help make this event a success for West Chicago students and families. Registration Closed Resource Tables Visit our Partner Resource Tables during this year's Back-to-School Event to connect with local organizations serving West Chicago families. Partners will be sharing valuable resources for parents and caregivers, while many will also offer fun, interactive activities and giveaways for school-aged children. We encourage you to stop by the tables throughout the event to learn about programs, services, and opportunities available in our community. Registration Closed One of our partners, The Kitchen Table , at the Back-to-School event. Support Us! WeGo Together for Kids is proud to support West Chicago families through our annual Back to School Event on August 10th. Each K–12 student receives a backpack filled with supplies, and this year, we anticipate serving over 1,600 students. You can help by donating items directly through our Amazon Wishlist, every contribution makes a difference. Support! Backpacks for preschoolers, educare, D33 and D94 students. Backpacks for preschoolers, Educare, D33 and D94 students. Back to School Event Guidelines! We're happy to welcome families! Please review these guidelines to ensure a smooth event. Everyone is welcome to attend. Preschoolers from Educare West DuPage, D33 students (preschool through 8th grade), and D94 students will receive backpacks with essential school supplies. Backpacks are limited. Entry to Cantigny is free on the day of the event. Please mention WeGo Together for Kids at the gate. Families may begin lining up as early as 4:30 PM. Event entry starts at 5:30 PM. No ID is necessary to attend. Have fun! Download the 2026 Flyers Business Sponsor List 2026

Learn about WeGo Together for Kids and our mission to support children and families in West Chicago. Discover how we collaborate with partners to create lasting impact. Collaboration: We actively prioritize and nurture strong relationships built upon trust and open communication among partner organizations and the community. Focus on Every Child’s Growth: Our holistic approach prioritizes each child’s emotional, social, and educational development, creating a foundation for lifelong success. Building strong partnerships with families: We genuinely listen and use an equity lens to ensure those most impacted have a voice and perspective in decisions. Our Mission To support and enhance the health, safety, learning, and well-being of children and families through a collaborative, coordinated, and comprehensive approach for the West Chicago community. Our collaborative and comprehensive approach ensures every child in the West Chicago community has the resources and support they need to flourish. Meet Our Team! Resources Our resources empower families with tools and information to navigate early childhood development, health, and education. From guides and tip sheets to developmental insights, each resource is tailored to meet the unique needs of children and their caregivers. Explore our extensive library to find support every step of the way. Resources Collective Impact Collaboration WeGo Together for Kids brings together over 70 community partners to enhance the well-being of children and families in West Chicago. Through collaborative leadership and strategic partnerships, we address critical issues such as mental health, early childhood education, academic success, and family stability, ensuring long-term, sustainable impact. View 2025 Impact Report Events Our events bring families and the community together to learn, grow, and connect. From workshops and school readiness programs to seasonal celebrations, every event is designed to educate, engage, and inspire. Join us in creating memorable experiences that nurture both children and families. View Events Our Initiatives At WeGo Together for Kids, our initiatives are designed to inspire and support families in West Chicago. From providing comprehensive resources to hosting impactful events, we are committed to enhancing the health, safety, education, and well-being of our community. Together, we build stronger futures through collaboration and care. Get Involved! At WeGo Together for Kids, our initiatives are designed to inspire and support families in West Chicago. From providing comprehensive resources to hosting impactful events, we are committed to enhancing the health, safety, education, and well-being of our community. Together, we build stronger futures through collaboration and care. Become a Partner Donate Our Funders Our Partners Make a Difference, Become a Volunteer! Your time and skills can have a lasting impact on the children and families we serve. Whether it’s helping at events, supporting community programs, or sharing your expertise, there’s a place for you in our mission. Join us in creating a stronger, more connected community! Get Involved Today! About Us

Helping Kids with Self-Regulation View More! Parenting & Emotion Regulation View More! Co-Regulation for Kids & Teens View More! Where Do I Feel? Worksheet View More! Printable Emotion Faces View More! List of Emotions View More! How I Feel (CBT Tool) View More! DBT Emotion Regulation Skills View More! DBT Distress Tolerance Skills View More! Filter by Age Group Adult/Parent Child Teen Filter by Language English English & Spanish Emotional Regulation Helping Kids with Self-Regulation View More! Parenting & Emotion Regulation View More! Co-Regulation for Kids & Teens View More! Where Do I Feel? Worksheet View More! Printable Emotion Faces View More! List of Emotions View More! How I Feel (CBT Tool) View More! DBT Emotion Regulation Skills View More! DBT Distress Tolerance Skills View More! Filter by Tags Adult/Parent Child Teen 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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

988 Lifeline: Youth Resources Start Now ConnectSafely: Youth in Crisis Start Now Illinois Youth Suicide Prevention Start Now Illinois Youth Survey: Hotlines Start Now KidsHealth: Crisis Support for Teens Start Now NAMI: Resources for Teens Start Now NAMI: Resources for Young Adults Start Now Teen Line: Peer Support Start Now Filter by Tags Teen Teen/Young Adult Young Adult Filter by Language English English & Spanish Youth Resources 988 Lifeline: Youth Resources View More! ConnectSafely: Youth in Crisis View More! Illinois Youth Suicide Prevention View More! Illinois Youth Survey: Hotlines View More! KidsHealth: Crisis Support for Teens View More! NAMI: Resources for Teens View More! NAMI: Resources for Young Adults View More! Teen Line: Peer Support View More! Filter by Group Teen Teen/Young Adult Young Adult Filter by Language English English & Spanish Youth Resources Can't Find What Your Looking For? Reach out and provide details about what resource we can help you with! Contact Us

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