The Children’s Project provides local families with children ages 3-12 with:
- Access to weekly grocery pick up at our center
- A birthday box filled with new toys and books as well as a “party-in-a-bag” to celebrate their big day (to be picked up during their birth month)
- A new backpack filled with new school supplies (to be picked up in late summer)
- Christmas presents, including gifts for siblings through age 15, and extra food for the holidays (to be picked up in December)
Please note, you must have transportation or someone who can pick up at the HSP center on your behalf. The center is open for pickups on Mon / Wed / Thur / Fri from 8:15 AM – 5:15 PM and Tues from 2:00 PM – 5:15 PM.
To apply for enrollment in our Children’s Project your family must reside within DuPage or Kane Counties, IL, have children ages 3–12, complete the Children’s Project Application and submit birth certificates/proof of guardianship for each child on your application and 30 days proof of income from each contributing adult (21+) in the household.
Please note, an application is not complete and will not be reviewed until all documents have been submitted.
A case worker or referring agency may complete an application on behalf of a family. The case worker or agency should complete the Children’s Project Application first (online or on paper) and submit it. They will be contacted regarding submitting birth certificates/proof of guardianship and proof of income.
Once the Children’s Project Application and all supporting documents are received, the application will be reviewed. After the review, your family will be contacted regarding your eligibility. If your family is eligible, you will be placed on our Waiting List. Please be aware that depending on the time of year, wait times can be between 3-12 months.
Once an opening is available, your family will be contacted to review and update your application. Additional information may be required at that time.
Required Supporting Documents:
Birth Certificates or Proof of Guardianship
Please submit the following documents to complete your application. You may send a photo, a scanned copy or screenshots as an attachment in an email to children@hsp.agency or bring the documents to our center. We can photocopy as needed.
- Birth certificates for each of the children on the application (ages newborn – 15 years). The mother and/or father’s name on the birth certificate must match the parent/guardian’s name on the application.
OR
- Proof of guardianship for each of the children on the application (ages newborn – 15 years)
- A court order or letter of guardianship signed by a judge
- An affidavit of guardianship executed by the parents of the child
- A power of attorney (POA) that grants guardianship
If guardianship is not court appointed or documented, please include a letter explaining your situation. Please note, child(ren) must reside with you for more than 50% of the time to be eligible.
Proof of Income
Please submit the following documents to complete your application. You may send a photo, a scanned copy or screenshots as an attachment in an email to children@hsp.agency or bring the documents to our center. We can photocopy as needed.
- 30 days / one month proof of income from each contributing adult (21+) in the household, including:
- Wages from employment (including commissions, tips, bonuses, fees etc)
- paychecks/paystubs OR
- W2 or 1099 OR
- written note of employment from employer indicating pay per month
- Income (cash, check, Venmo etc) from operating a business or performing a service from home or in the community. Examples include but are not limited to; hair stylist, babysitting, pet sitting, lawn care/landscaping, construction, handyman services, Avon or other MLM companies, eBay sales, blood or plasma donations etc.
- Social Security benefits
- child support and maintenance (alimony)
- public assistance payments
- unemployment benefits
- disability benefits
If you are not currently working and do not have any other sources of income as outlined above, you will be required to complete a Zero Income Affidavit prior to your application being reviewed. A copy of the affidavit may be emailed or mailed to you at your request or picked up at our center.
To print the Children’s Project Application, click here or submit your on-line Children’s Project Application below.