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Kicking Off “Charlie’s Compassion Challenge” in the Fox Valley [June 11, 2018, Naperville, IL] A poignant image of an adorable little boy reflects the invisible reality for millions of children and youth in America—homelessness. Twenty-five years after his introduction, “Charlie” continues to lead the charge for kids who have no place to call home, with Naperville, IL-based HEAR US Inc. issuing Charlie’s Compassion Challenge. Believing compassion could make a major impact in local communities across the nation, HEAR US, a national nonprofit, has kicked off the initial “Charlie’s Compassion Challenge,” inviting civic and religious organizations, schools, scouts, social service agencies, and do-gooders everywhere to make a difference in lives of thousands of children and youth experiencing homelessness in the Fox Valley area.
generate local help to assist this mostly invisible segment of the homeless population. This pilot campaign in the Aurora-Naperville area asks participants to pursue (at least) one of the Charlie Book’s 60 suggested activities, e.g. collect diapers and baby items, sponsoring a child at summer camp, donate back-to-school haircuts or school supplies.
Week.” The HEAR US board is recruiting other homeless service agencies and local schools to participate and benefit from this effort.
organization, could inspire a surge of compassion and awareness?,” reflected Maria Wilson, board member and leader of St. Timothy Lutheran’s volunteer team that serves at the homeless shelter at Aurora’s Hesed House.
families and youth experiencing homelessness.” She has traveled around the country in her little van for the past 13 years making short documentaries of families and youth sharing their homelessness experiences and what school means to them.
to homeless students, a law that is now expanded to the entire country. Her work greatly assists this ongoing effort, providing powerful videos used as professional development tools vital to educating the more than 1.3 million homeless students in public schools.
child for the successful 1994 Illinois Education for Homeless Children Act campaign, aka “Charlie’s Bill.” This image also figures prominently in the HEAR US logo and the Charlie Book cover. Twenty years ago, Van Doren and former Sun artist Wanda Platt also created the award-winning children’s book on homelessness, Where Can I Build My Volcano?, which Van Doren is working on getting produced as a stage play this fall.
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