C.I.T.Y. of Support

Developmental Playgroup at Arlington Heights Library
2025-11-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-12-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-13 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-10 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Elmhurst Library, 125 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, Illinois, 60126, United States
An inclusive drop-in playgroup for children who receive or are considering therapy services, ages 0-5. Children play while families meet and find support. Siblings welcome.

Facilitated by Julie Kander with CITY of Support.

Drop-in. No Library Card Required.
https://www.ahml.info/

Developmental Playgroup at Elmhurst Library
2025-11-11 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-09 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-13 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-10 16:00 - 17:00 UTC | Elmhurst Library, 125 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, Illinois, 60126, United States
An inclusive drop-in playgroup for children who receive or are considering therapy services, ages 0-5. Children play while families meet and find support. Siblings welcome.

Facilitated by Amy Mishima (Local Leader of C.I.T.Y. of Support) and Ellen Karalis (Executive Director of Comprehensive Behavior Development).

Drop-in. No Library Card Required.

https://www.elmhurstpubliclibrary.org/

Developmental Playgroup at Elmhurst Library
2025-11-11 16:00 - 17:00 UTC | Elmhurst Library, 125 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, Illinois, 60126, United States
An inclusive drop-in playgroup for children who receive or are considering therapy services, ages 0-5. Children play while families meet and find support. Siblings welcome.

Facilitated by Amy Mishima (Local Leader of C.I.T.Y. of Support) and Ellen Karalis (Executive Director of Comprehensive Behavior Development).

Drop-in. No Library Card Required.
https://elmhurstpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/15028546

Live Discussion: "Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): Facts vs. Myths"
2025-11-13 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | GENEROC.I.T.Y. TOY SHOP, 1423 E. Palatine Rd., Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, United States
Join Laura Zimmerman, Marketing and Events Director and Lauren Pridgeon, Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) and Strategic Development Coordinator with Motivated Learners as they host a FREE, live discussion on Thursday, November 13th that compliments their recent blog post: “Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): Facts vs. Myths.”
7:00-8:00pm via zoom. Everyone is welcome to join either in-person at the GENEROC.I.T.Y. Toy Shop or online via zoom. Registration is required for the zoom link. Approved for 1 hour of Early Intervention credit.

Developmental Playgroup at the Skokie Public Library
2025-11-18 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-01-20 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-02-17 10:30 - 11:30 UTC | Elmhurst Library, 125 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, Illinois, 60126, United States
This drop-in inclusive playgroup is for children younger than six who receive or are considering therapy services. Children play while families meet and find support.
Siblings are welcome. Free tickets will be given to those who attend.
Facilitated by staff from All Bright Therapies. Presented in partnership with C.I.T.Y. of Support.
https://www.skokielibrary.info/

C.I.T.Y. Dads Hang Out
2025-11-19 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Grab a beer with other dads in our community on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. This casual hangout, with no agenda/structure, is designed to bring dads together in a stress-free environment to make connections with other parents in similar situations.

Join the dads at 7:00pm at Moretti’s in Wheeling (365 W. Dundee Rd. in Wheeling, 60090).

Email: hello@cityofsupport.org with any questions or to sign up for email alerts. No RSVP required.

Developmental Playgroup at Mt Prospect Library
2025-11-25 10:30 - 11:30 UTC | Mt Prospect Library, 10 S Emerson St, Mount Prospect, Illinois, 60056, United States
This in-person program will be held in Youth Program Room 119. Join us for an inclusive drop-in playgroup for children ages 5 and younger who receive or are considering therapy services.

Best for ages 5 and younger with their families.
Children play while families meet and find support; a developmental therapist will be present to answer general questions. Siblings are welcome to join.
https://mppl.libnet.info/event/13719128

GENEROC.I.T.Y. Shop Grand Opening!
2025-12-03 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | GENEROC.I.T.Y. TOY SHOP, 1423 E. Palatine Rd., Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, United States
Celebrate the Grand Opening of the GENEROC.I.T.Y. Toy Shop!
This open-house-style event runs from 5-8pm on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd at the shop (1423 E. Palatine Rd. in Arlington Heights, 60004).
Let’s pack the parking lot with supporters of C.I.T.Y. and our community allies, demonstrating the need for inclusive, welcoming spaces for families with children in therapy. We hope you’ll join us!
6:00 pm: Ribbon-Cutting
5:00-8:00 pm: Hot Cocoa Truck, Card-Making Stations, Meet-The-Teacher Booths, Free Giveaways, and more!
Everyone is invited!

C.I.T.Y. Dads Hang Out
2025-12-10 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Grab a beer with other dads in our community on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. This casual hangout, with no agenda/structure, is designed to bring dads together in a stress-free environment to make connections with other parents in similar situations.

Join the dads on Wednesday, 12/10 at 7:00pm. LOCATION: Spears in Wheeling.

Email: hello@cityofsupport.org with any questions or to sign up for email alerts. No RSVP required.

Gentle Greeting with Santa & Mrs. Claus
2025-12-11 16:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Take advantage of this special opportunity to schedule a Gentle Greeting with Santa at the GENEROC.I.T.Y. Toy Shop! During your 30-minute reservation window, you will have 5-10 minutes of individual time with Mr. and Mrs. Claus where your family can talk with him in a low-stimulation environment. Imagine no waiting in line, limited noise, gentle lighting, decreased time pressure, and plenty of holiday spirit! Register Here!

Suzanne from Pickle Book Designs will be available to take your photo if desired, too!

Santa wants to give your family and your child special attention. Join us for this unique opportunity, and check out C.I.T.Y. of Support’s new physical location: The GENEROC.I.T.Y. Toy Shop (where there are tons of reasonably-priced, therapist-curated, gently-used toys, books, and games available for sale–and gift cards too!)

Special thanks to The Burhop Group for sponsoring this opportunity!

Developmental Playgroup at the Barrington Library
2025-12-17 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington Area Library, 505 N Northwest Highway, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States
An inclusive drop-in playgroup for children who receive or are considering therapy services, ages 0 – 5. Children play while families meet and find support. Siblings welcome. Facilitated by Megan Smith, a Clinical Therapist at Peace Within Therapy and Wellness, and aligned with C.I.T.Y. of Support’s program model. Drop in. Program Room.
Drop in and please bring your Barrington Area Library card for priority admission. Customers from other library districts will be admitted as space is available. Seating is first come, first served.

Developmental Playgroup at the Skokie Library
2025-12-19 13:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Skokie Public Library, 5215 N. Oakton St., Skokie, IL, 60077
This drop-in inclusive playgroup is for children who receive or are considering therapy services, age birth-5. Children play while families meet and find support.

Siblings are welcome. Facilitated by staff from All Bright Therapies. Presented in partnership with C.I.T.Y of Support.

Teen Volunteer Information Night
2025-12-30 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | GENEROC.I.T.Y. TOY SHOP, 1423 E. Palatine Rd., Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, United States
C.I.T.Y. of Support is a local nonprofit organization with lots of potential for growth meeting the needs of families with children in therapy.

We have seen great value in partnering with teen volunteers over the past few months, and we are hoping to build this relationship with a new opportunity. Together with our current executive team, we would like to explore the idea of creating a Teen Advisory Board that takes initiative in designing and implementing a variety of community projects.

We are hoping to identify motivated teen volunteers (aged 14+) who are interested in not only helping to build our C.I.T.Y, but also in building their leadership, program development, marketing, fundraising, and collaboration skills.

If you are interested in learning more about this mutually-beneficial opportunity, we invite you to attend an Information Night at the GENEROC.I.T.Y. Toy Shop on Tuesday, 12/30 from 6:00-7:00pm. Please RSVP here.

We appreciate your support, and please reach out with any questions: volunteer@cityofsupport.org

Developmental Playgroup at the Barrington Area Library
2026-01-21 10:30 - 11:30 UTC | Elmhurst Library, 125 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, Illinois, 60126, United States
This drop-in inclusive playgroup is for children younger than six who receive or are considering therapy services. Children play while families meet and find support.
Siblings are welcome. Free tickets will be given to those who attend.
Facilitated by Megan Smith, a Clinical Therapist at Peace Within Therapy and Wellness, and aligned with C.I.T.Y. of Support’s program model.
https://www.balibrary.org/

C.I.T.Y. Dads Hang Out
2026-01-21 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Grab a beer with other dads in our community on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. This casual hangout, with no agenda/structure, is designed to bring dads together in a stress-free environment to make connections with other parents in similar situations.

Join the dads at 7:00pm at Gator’s Wing Shack (1719 Rand Rd. in Palatine, IL 60074).

Email: hello@cityofsupport.org with any questions or to sign up for email alerts. No RSVP required.

How to Wrap Your Dysregulated Child in Total Support
2026-01-22 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Buehler YMCA, 1400 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine, IL
Building a Bubble of Calm: How to Wrap your Dysregulated Child in Total Support
You’ll Learn How To:

Recognize early signs of dysregulation
Use co-regulation instead of control or punishment
Stay grounded when your child cannot
Reduce escalation and shorten recovery time
Build predictable supports that help children return to calm

RSVP for this FREE program here: https://tinyurl.com/TotalSupport26

Dads Group Family Day
2026-01-31 14:30 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Last year, during the dead of winter, the Dads Group hosted a family day at the US Gymnastics Training Center in Lake Zurich, and it was a ton of fun! We will have 90 minutes with the entire gymnastics facility to ourselves (including bounce houses)! Here are the details:

Location: US Gymnastics Training Center, 405 Enterprise Pkwy Ste A, Lake Zurich, IL 60047
Date: Saturday, January 31st
Time: 2:30 – 4pm
How to join: Please email: hello@cityofsupport.org if you would like to attend, and this information will be passed along to Jeremy (the organizer). Please include how many adults and how many children will be attending to determine a final headcount.
Cost: Last year, it ended up being under $30/family, and all of us felt it was easily money well spent!

RSVP By: December’s Dads Meetup, Wednesday, December 10th

Build & Play Lego Club
2026-02-03 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-02-03 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | 1201 W. Army Trail Blvd, Addison, 1201 W. Army Trail Blvd, Addison, IL, United States
About the Club:
The Build & Play Club uses lego-style duplo bricks and sets to promote young children’s socialization, emotional regulation, fine and gross motor skills, and problem solving capability, all in a fun, playful atmosphere. It’s run by Claudia Cirrincione, a licensed and board certified occupational therapist.
Session Details:

Duration: 4 consecutive Tuesdays in February
Ages: 4 & 5 years old

Time Slots:
Choose the time that works best for your family:

Morning Session: 10:30 am-11:30 am
Afternoon Session: 12:30 pm-1:30 pm

Cost & Location:

Cost: $25.00 for the entire 4-week session
Location: 1201 W. Army Trail Blvd, Addison

Registration & Information:
To register or for more information, please contact:

Contact Person: Claudia Cirrincione, occupational therapist
Phone: 708-928-6251 Call for more information or to register your child

C.I.T.Y. Dads Hang Out
2026-02-11 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Grab a beer with other dads in our community on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. This casual hangout, with no agenda/structure, is designed to bring dads together in a stress-free environment to make connections with other parents in similar situations.

Join the dads at 7:00pm at Bird’s Nest in Arlington Heights (11 W. Davis Street, Arlington Heights, 60005).

Email: hello@cityofsupport.org with any questions or to sign up for email alerts. No RSVP required.

Family-Friendly Valentine's Day Celebration
2026-02-14 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | GENEROC.I.T.Y. TOY SHOP, 1423 E. Palatine Rd., Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, United States
Stop by for a LOVE-ly afternoon at the GENEROC.I.T.Y. Toy Shop as we celebrate Valentine’s Day!

This free open-house event includes:

Games
Prizes
Crafts
Snacks
and more!

Please register here to help us plan: https://app.betterunite.com/weloveourcity
Stop by our shop and help us spread the love! #weloveourcity

Caregiver Appreciation Night
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | GENEROC.I.T.Y. TOY SHOP, 1423 E. Palatine Rd., Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, United States
Help us kick off our “Thursday Parent Nights” at the GENEROC.I.T.Y. Shop by honoring YOU, the caregivers!
In honor of National Caregivers Day (2/20), we’re going to get together a day early to meet relatable parents and enjoy some snacks/drinks.

If needed, childcare is available on-site in a neighboring room. (Must reserve this service at least 1 week before the event to ensure we have enough volunteers.)
Reister here: https://www.hisawyer.com/city-of-support/schedules/activity-set/1794202?day=2026-02-19&view=cal&source=all-activities
