Our Story
“Is this the best we could do for a child?”
This question guided conversations, created safe spaces, encouraged reflections, and honored diverse perspectives, helping those providing support gain a clearer understanding of the challenges children face. While professionals and systems work tirelessly to support children, gaps remained across systems, an insight shared by those that provide legal, social, and health services.
Though Katrina, the founder and visionary of Unity for Children, considered several professional paths to support children, she recognized that meaningful change required a shift toward a more united, healing-centered approach. That vision became the foundation of Unity for Children.
Unity for Children is not a cry for battle, but a call to come together. A call to deliver a solution. When children are involved, they are not just a priority. They are the priority. Our priority.
We draw on multidisciplinary expertise, personal experiences, and community voices to develop solutions that reduce risk and provide protection. When professionals such as pilots, lawyers, or doctors show signs of safety risk, safeguards are put in place immediately to prevent harm before it becomes irreversible, supporting accountability and recovery of the professional while protecting the public. Don’t we think it’s necessary to apply a similar approach to ensure the safety and well-being of our children and their families?
When children are involved, unaddressed risks can have lasting and sometimes irreversible consequences. Just as we take a proactive approach to protect professionals and the public, we must apply the same strategies for children, supporting their healing, safety, and stability instead of waiting until it is too late.
More than 2.7 million children in Illinois stand to benefit from these necessary changes. If we act to protect the public from risky pilots, lawyers, or doctors, we must ensure children receive the same protections. (Source: 2023 Illinois child population, U.S. Census)
— Katrina, Founder of Unity for Children
What is Unity for Children?
The Unity for Children is an all-volunteer, community-driven initiative across different districts of Illinois, with a strong presence in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
This project brings together engaged community members, as well as individuals who have personal experience or insight into the gaps in proactive protection for children affected by intergenerational cycle of trauma. We welcome all caregivers—parents, guardians, and extended family—who are committed to prioritizing children’s well-being. Our goal is to combine these personal experiences with input from organizations and experts to propose solutions and advocate for systemic change, shaped by the voices of those most affected by these challenges.
Vision
A future where no child is trapped in the intergenerational cycle of trauma.- where healing replaces harm and every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Mission
To cultivate unified systems that heal by working together to transform the approach of communities, professionals, and institutions toward children and families — where healing becomes the norm, not the exception — for every child in every system.
Unity for Children is committed to driving change in programs or policies that affect children, developing stronger sustainable systems, and empowering people of power to make well-informed decisions.
Our Commitment
Lasting solutions emerge when everyone comes together. We create a space where families, communities, and leaders collaborate, breaking down barriers to build a shared vision. By uniting diverse voices, we foster meaningful conversations and collective action that drive real, sustainable change.
United for Impact
Advocacy is the catalyst for systemic transformation. We work to ensure that the voices of families, communities, and those impacted by systemic challenges are heard where decisions are made. Through strategic partnerships, education, and policy engagement, we push for meaningful reforms that prioritize justice, equity, and the well-being of future generations.
Advocate to Transform
Empowered decisions thrive on the collective strength and wisdom of families, communities, experts, and leaders. Through collaboration with our partners, we champion ongoing education and training for people responsible for decision making, ensuring that children's well-being remains the top priority.
Empowered Decisions
Develop and strengthen credible support networks that serve all children by helping encourage comprehensive local systems with community leaders and families. Our collaborative efforts will create access to reliable resources for families with children in need.