L.E.A.P. (Life Enrichment Alternative Paths)
10 years after its original launch, we are proud to announce that OCH will be reintroducing our Life Enrichment Alternative Paths (L.E.A.P.) program! LEAP supports OCH youth in discovering and exploring their unique path in life by exposing them to new opportunities and connecting them to their community to engage in vocational, recreational and career-related activities tailored to their needs and interests.
Community Connection
L.E.A.P. assists our youth with identifying their true interests and passions and connecting them with a positive outlet in their community to explore these interests. This can be for recreational, vocational, or career-related activities. Once a youth identifies their interests, our L.E.A.P. Coordinator works diligently to find the right partner within the youth's local community to become a L.E.A.P. Community Provider. If you are interested in learning how to become a L.E.A.P. Community Provider, please email our L.E.A.P. Coordinator, Mary Ekin: leap@ochkids.org
Family Fun Days
L.E.A.P. works with sponsors and/or businesses in the community to offer our foster families a day of fun together without a financial burden. This gives foster families a chance to strengthen their family bond and meet other OCH foster families to share resources and support. One challenging relationship that often gets overlooked is the relationship between the biological children of the foster parents and the foster child. Family Fun days help to strengthen this bond by giving them a fun activity to bond over outside of the home environment. If you would like to host or sponsor a Family Fun Day, please email leap@ochkids.org.
Community Connection
L.E.A.P. assists our youth with identifying their true interests and passions and connecting them with a positive outlet in their community to explore these interests. This can be for recreational, vocational, or career-related activities. Once a youth identifies their interests, our L.E.A.P. Coordinator works diligently to find the right partner within the youth's local community to become a L.E.A.P. Community Provider. If you are interested in learning how to become a L.E.A.P. Community Provider, please email our L.E.A.P. Coordinator, Mary Ekin: leap@ochkids.org
Family Fun Days
L.E.A.P. works with sponsors and/or businesses in the community to offer our foster families a day of fun together without a financial burden. This gives foster families a chance to strengthen their family bond and meet other OCH foster families to share resources and support. One challenging relationship that often gets overlooked is the relationship between the biological children of the foster parents and the foster child. Family Fun days help to strengthen this bond by giving them a fun activity to bond over outside of the home environment. If you would like to host or sponsor a Family Fun Day, please email leap@ochkids.org.
Gratitude to our L.E.A.P. Community Care Providers
All of the below providers offer free services to OCH kids living in foster care. These LEAP Community Care providers offer a vital and stabilizing tool to our kids; we are so grateful for their generosity and believe their services have the power to change the trajectory of OCH kids' lives. Please help us thank them by promoting them on social media or sending the kids in your family to enjoy their services.
Naperville, IL
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Chicago, IL
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The Original L.E.A.P. Community Providers
Please help us in acknowledging our original L.E.A.P. Community Providers! These providers were the first to say "Yes!" to help OCH kids explore their passions and possible career paths when we first launched in 2011. They donated 100% of their time and resources to OCH Kids in their community. It takes community members like these to help OUR youth understand that they deserve and belong. We are forever grateful for you!
Please help us in acknowledging our original L.E.A.P. Community Providers! These providers were the first to say "Yes!" to help OCH kids explore their passions and possible career paths when we first launched in 2011. They donated 100% of their time and resources to OCH Kids in their community. It takes community members like these to help OUR youth understand that they deserve and belong. We are forever grateful for you!
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Names |
Website |
1 |
Ama Dance and music |
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2 |
American Music World |
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3 |
Chang Brother's Taekwondo |
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4 |
Chicago Transformers |
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5 |
Community School of the Arts- Pierce chapel |
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6 |
Cosley Zoo |
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7 |
Definitive Martial Arts |
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8 |
Double J. Riding Club |
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9 |
Elite Academy of Dance |
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10 |
Focus Martial Arts |
|
11 |
Genoa Park District |
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12 |
Historical Fishing Display |
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13 |
Illinois Gators |
|
14 |
Kidron Music |
|
15 |
Kim's Black Belt Academy |
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16 |
Millennium Dance Center |
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17 |
MMA STOP Fitness |
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18 |
Moves Dance Studio |
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19 |
Naperville Riding Center |
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20 |
Rockford Dance Company |
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21 |
Rockford Karate Club |
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22 |
Royal Family Kids - Kane County |
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23 |
Sunset Knoll Riding Academy |
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24 |
The School of Performing Arts |
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25 |
TM Martial Arts |
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26 |
Lonzcha |
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27 |
X3 Performing Arts Academy |
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