Program areas at Chicago Public Library Foundation
Too many Chicago children are born into circumstances that limit how far they will go in life. Whether that's the neighborhood they grow in, the schools they have access to, the resources their parents have, even the quality of the air, our city has long been divided to the detriment of not just individuals, but of our collective prosperity as chicagoans. Support from donors ensures students and their families can access free homework help, tools for supporting language and literacy development, and year-round stem content that help ensure all our city's children have the support they need to succeed early in life and to keep on succeeding.
According to the pew research center, more than 40% of lower-income households don't have home broadband services or a traditional computer. Many of these adults and older adults also lack the skills they need to navigate our increasingly digital world effectively and safely. Without this crucial know-how, thousands of chicagoans are blocked from online opportunities to apply for jobs, find education and health resources, participate in civic life, and connect with loved ones. Our digital literacy and learning programs remove barriers through curated resources, skills-building support, and user-friendly Chicago digital learning modules accessible from any computer. Together, we transform lives through technology.
Chicago's world-renowned arts and culture sector fuels tremendous creative, economic, and innovative growth. But access to big ideas and top talent is often far out of reach for lower-income members of our community. As a result, many chicagoans are shut out from the marketplace of creativity and the holistic benefits of the arts. Our city, in turn, misses out on opportunities to be elevated and enriched by the inclusion of diverse new voices and viewpoints. Donors activate everything from maker spaces to special collections projects to discussions with the most thought-provoking authors of our time. Theseofferings invite all chicagoans to explore new ways of expressing themselves and imagining new possibilities not only for their own lives, but also for our city and the world.
Other programmatic expenditures include branch programs and other Library programs that are held throughout the year.