You’re Invited!

Please join us as we celebrate the opening of Building Blocks, a one-of-a-kind sensory space at Family Focus South Shore, made possible through a generous legacy gift from our beloved Judith S. “Judy” Block.

🗓️ Monday, March 9, 2026

🕓 Open House: 4:00 – 5:30 PM

✂️ Ribbon Cutting: 4:30 PM

📍 Family Focus South Shore, 7037 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60649

🅿️ Limited on-site parking; street parking available

🥤 Light refreshments will be served

👉 Please RSVP by Monday, March 2

About Building Blocks

For 175 years, Family Focus has evolved to meet the changing needs of children and families across Chicago and Northeast Illinois. We are proud to introduce our newly designed Building Blocks Rooms at our Hyde Park and South Shore early childhood education centers, alongside thoughtfully reconstructed playgrounds that expand opportunities for safe, healthy, and developmentally responsive play.

These new child centered environments were created in direct response to the developmental realities facing young children today. Many preschoolers were born during the COVID pandemic and experienced limited opportunities for early socialization, increased screen exposure, and reduced peer interaction. As a result, educators nationwide are observing delays in language development, challenges with focus, and difficulty navigating group settings.

The Building Blocks Rooms were intentionally designed to respond to these emerging needs. Building Blocks is a calming, supportive sensory environment that helps children navigate sensory and emotional challenges while promoting focus, creativity, and learning. These spaces are especially important for diverse learners and for children who have experienced stress or trauma. Through thoughtful use of lighting, color, texture, and flexible design elements, the rooms support self regulation, small group engagement, and positive peer interaction in ways that feel safe and empowering.

In high enrollment centers where classrooms can be active and stimulating, the Building Blocks Rooms offer opportunities for children and educators to pause, reset, and practice essential developmental skills. They also provide dedicated space for developmental specialists and parent coaching, strengthening collaboration between families and educators while honoring privacy and dignity.

The reconstructed playgrounds at Hyde Park and South Shore further enhance children’s daily experiences. Outdoor play is essential for physical health, emotional regulation, and social development. These redesigned environments encourage movement, exploration, and connection, reinforcing our commitment to whole child development.

This work was made possible through generous support from Start Early – Head Start, Start Early – Early Head Start, the City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO). We are also deeply grateful for the legacy gift of the late Judith S. Block, whose more than 50 years of service to Family Focus and lifelong advocacy for early childhood education helped bring this vision to life.

The project reflects meaningful collaboration between CannonDesign and Family Focus leadership and staff. Together, these partnerships ensured that each space reflects our mission to strengthen children and families with dignity, care, and responsiveness.

To learn more about how you can support future capital improvements and invest in the long term impact of Family Focus through Planned Legacy Giving, please contact Amy O’Keefe, Director of Leadership Giving at Amy.Okeefe@family-focus.org.