About Hug A Child
Building safer communities through trauma-informed support, family stabilization, and pathways to healing, unity, and growth.
Our Mission
To serve youth, young adults, victims of violence, and families impacted by community violence, trauma, poverty, grief, unemployment, and barriers to supportive services through trauma-informed support, advocacy, case management, mentoring, workforce development, family stabilization, and behavioral health referrals.
Our Vision
Communities where every young person and family experiences safety, dignity, hope, and opportunity. Where healing, unity, and growth are the foundation for building safer futures together.
Our Values
- ✓ Safety: Every interaction prioritizes physical and emotional safety
- ✓ Dignity: Strengths-based, respectful support
- ✓ Hope: Belief in positive futures
- ✓ Trust: Confidential, reliable partnerships
Our Story
Hug A Child NFP was founded on the belief that every young person deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to heal and grow—regardless of the challenges they've faced.
Recognizing the profound impact of violence, trauma, and poverty on Chicago's youth and families, Hug A Child created a different kind of support system. One grounded in healing, rooted in community, and centered on the strengths and resilience of the individuals we serve.
Through The HUG Initiative—Healing, Unity, Growth—we provide trauma-informed support, advocate for justice and resources, stabilize families, connect people to employment and education, and build pathways to positive futures. We partner with schools, hospitals, workforce agencies, and community organizations to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care.
Every day, our team works to transform lives and build communities where healing, unity, and growth thrive. We invite you to join us on this journey.
How We Work: Our Trauma-Informed Approach
Trauma-informed practice means understanding how trauma shapes behavior, relationships, and choices. We apply these principles in everything we do.
Creating Safety
- ✓ Staff Training: 100% of our staff complete trauma-informed care certification and ongoing professional development
- ✓ Confidentiality: Strict privacy protections and informed consent protocols for all participants
- ✓ Consistent Relationships: Long-term advocates who build trust and stability over time
- ✓ Physical Safety: Accessible, welcoming community spaces free from harm
Honoring Choice & Agency
- ✓ Participant Voice: Young people and families set their own goals—we follow their lead, not ours
- ✓ Informed Consent: Clear explanation of services, confidentiality limits, and right to decline or pause support
- ✓ Cultural Responsiveness: We respect diverse backgrounds, values, and ways of healing
- ✓ Accessibility: Services in multiple languages; accommodations for disabilities; flexible scheduling
Building on Strengths
- ✓ Strengths-Based Language: We see resilience, not brokenness; capacity, not deficit
- ✓ Peer Support: Youth and families with lived experience lead mentoring, advocacy, and leadership programs
- ✓ Community Assets: We connect participants to existing community strengths, not just services
- ✓ Hope & Belief: We invest in potential—young people can heal, families can stabilize, communities can change
Supporting Our Team
- ✓ Vicarious Trauma Support: Clinical supervision, peer support, and wellness resources for staff
- ✓ Professional Development: Ongoing training, mentorship, and career growth opportunities
- ✓ Lived Experience Hiring: We prioritize staff with direct experience in Chicago communities
- ✓ Work-Life Balance: Competitive benefits, flexible scheduling, and mental health resources
Our Accessibility Commitments
Language & Communication
- ✓ Services available in Spanish and English
- ✓ Interpretation services upon request
- ✓ Materials in plain language and large print
- ✓ ASL interpreters for deaf participants
Physical Accessibility
- ✓ Wheelchair accessible facilities
- ✓ Accessible parking and transportation info
- ✓ Elevator and accessible restrooms
- ✓ Quiet spaces for sensory needs
Programmatic Access
- ✓ Flexible scheduling and virtual options
- ✓ Childcare support during programs
- ✓ Free food and transportation
- ✓ Accommodations for disabilities and neurodiversity
Saleshea's Story
A Grassroots Vision Built Through Service, Resilience, and Community
Saleshea Peterson's leadership is rooted in service, resilience, and a commitment to restorative advocacy. She founded Hug A Child, Make A Change NFP as a grassroots response to the real needs of children and families affected by gun violence, domestic violence, trauma, and economic hardship.
In its early years, the organization did not have access to major grants or large sponsorships. Saleshea, community members, and local supporters used the resources they had to show up for families through mentoring, emotional support, community engagement, resource connections, youth activities, and direct assistance. What began as a grassroots effort continued growing because the need was real and the commitment remained strong.
For more than six years, Hug A Child has worked with children, youth, mothers, fathers, and families across Chicago's West Side, Near North Side, and surrounding communities. Its work has included victim and grief support, Let's Talk safe spaces, youth mentoring, violence-prevention education, field days, field trips, holiday drives, community rebuilding projects, job-placement assistance, workforce readiness, educational enrichment, and family resource navigation.
As the organization grew, Saleshea expanded its vision beyond responding to immediate crises. Hug A Child now provides year-round youth and family programming that includes STEM activities, summer enrichment, fall programming, leadership development, trauma-informed workshops, academic support, life skills, workforce development, mentoring, wellness activities, and community healing.
Saleshea believes lasting change requires supporting the whole family—not just addressing one immediate need. Her leadership brings together residents, public officials, employers, faith-based organizations, schools, and community partners to create stronger pathways toward healing, stability, opportunity, and safer communities.
Through Hug A Child, Saleshea continues building an organization where young people are encouraged to discover their potential, families receive compassionate support, and communities are treated as partners in creating change.
"Children on purpose, not for profit.
Families on purpose, not for profit.
Community on purpose, not for profit."
Organizational Capacity
Our Team
Leadership
Experienced nonprofit professionals with deep community roots and proven track record
Staff
25+ full-time staff with professional credentials and lived experience in Chicago communities
Board
Diverse expertise in education, healthcare, workforce, finance, and community development
Infrastructure
- ✓ Systems: Secure data systems, participant management, outcomes tracking
- ✓ Facilities: Community center offices and program space
- ✓ Finance: Robust accounting, compliance, audit-ready processes
- ✓ Grants: Multi-year grant management experience
Board of Directors
Our Board brings diverse expertise, deep community roots, and shared commitment to healing, unity, and growth.
Board Chair & Founder
Saleshea Peterson
Founder and community advocate with 6+ years leading outreach-based initiatives in violence prevention and workforce development. Rooted in Chicago's West Side communities with lived experience and deep commitment to preventing violence and building opportunity for youth and families.
Vice Chair, Education
Dr. James Williams
Former Principal of Lincoln Academy and education equity advocate. 20+ years in Chicago Public Schools leadership, focused on supporting students impacted by trauma and poverty.
Treasurer, Finance & Compliance
Maria Gonzalez, CPA
Nonprofit financial consultant with 12+ years managing budgets for community-based organizations. Ensures fiscal accountability and sustainable growth.
Secretary, Community Partnerships
Reverend David Thomas
Faith leader and community organizer on Chicago's West Side for 25+ years. Bridges Hug A Child with schools, churches, and community organizations.
Board Member, Workforce Development
Robert Chen
Director of Workforce Programs at Chicago Department of Human Resources. Connects Hug A Child participants to job training and employment opportunities.
Board Member, Healthcare & Wellness
Dr. Keisha Johnson, MD
Trauma-informed physician and mental health advocate. Ensures Hug A Child participants access quality behavioral and physical health services.
Board Governance
Our Board meets quarterly and maintains fiduciary responsibility, strategic oversight, and accountability. Board members represent education, healthcare, workforce, finance, community development, and lived experience—ensuring we serve with integrity and effectiveness.
Trusted by Our Community
For Individuals & Families
We provide compassionate, trauma-informed support that respects your dignity and prioritizes your safety and goals.
For Funders & Partners
We deliver measurable impact, transparent reporting, and evidence-based practices that generate real change in communities.
For Volunteers
We provide meaningful opportunities to contribute your skills, time, and heart to a mission you believe in.
For Community Partners
We collaborate respectfully, share resources, and coordinate support to create stronger safety nets for our community.
Learn More About How We Help
Explore our programs, get involved, or reach out to learn more about our mission.