C.I.T.Y. of Support

Developmental Playgroup at Elmhurst Library
2026-07-14 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-11 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-08 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-13 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-11-10 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-12-08 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 the Skokie Public Library
2026-07-21 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-08-18 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-09-15 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-10-20 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-11-17 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-12-15 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/

DIY: Decorating Squishy Collector Boxes
2026-08-01 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | GENEROC.I.T.Y. TOY SHOP, 1423 E. Palatine Rd., Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, United States
A family-friendly activity where kids create their own DIY Squishy Collector Boxes!

You bring your creativity, and we’ll supply all the art materials. Not only will you leave with your very own personalized space for your “Squishy Squad/Fidget Friends/Trinket Treasures,” but you’ll ALSO receive a new, FREE squishy just for joining us! Children must be accompanied and supervised by adults at all times.
Pre-registration is encouraged here, but walk-ins are welcome while supplies last.

Gymnastics Family Playdate
2026-08-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-10-03 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-11-07 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-12-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-01-02 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Gymnastics Training Center, 405 Enterprise Parkway, Lake Zurich, IL, 60047, United States
Join C.I.T.Y. of Support families for this monthly family playdate from 6-7pm at the Gymnastics Training Center in Lake Zurich ($10/child). Drop in!

Developmental Playgroup at Arlington Heights Library
2026-08-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-09-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-13 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-11-10 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-12-08 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/

C.I.T.Y. Dads Hang Out
2026-08-12 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Gator’s Wing Shack, 1719 N. Rand Rd., Palatine, IL, 60074, United States
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: Gator’s in Palatine
Email: hello@cityofsupport.org with any questions or to sign up for email alerts. No RSVP required.

Provider Night at the GENEROC.I.T.Y. Shop
2026-08-13 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | GENEROC.I.T.Y. TOY SHOP, 1423 E. Palatine Rd., Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, United States
Teachers, Therapists, and Professionals:
Come to the GENEROC.I.T.Y. Toy Shop for discussion, collaboration, and networking.
PLUS, 10% off eligible purchases!

Give Back & Pack DAY
2026-08-22 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | GENEROC.I.T.Y. TOY SHOP, 1423 E. Palatine Rd., Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, United States
A family-friendly event supporting the school specialists who support our kids.

SUPPORTING CLASSROOMS WITH GENEROC.I.T.Y.
On Give-Back and Pack Day, families and children help pack classroom care kits for teachers and therapists serving children with disabilities. This family-friendly community event also features therapy animals, hands-on activities, and opportunities to support local classrooms at the start of the school year. Children must be accompanied and supervised by adults at all times.
Pre-registration is encouraged here, but walk-ins are welcome while supplies last.

Give Back & Unpack NIGHT
2026-09-01 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | GENEROC.I.T.Y. TOY SHOP, 1423 E. Palatine Rd., Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, United States
An after-hours appreciation event for the school specialists who support our kids.

SUPPORTING CLASSROOMS WITH GENEROC.I.T.Y.
On Give-Back & Unpack Night, teachers, therapists, and school staff are invited to pick-up complimentary classroom care kits that have been packed by local families at our Give-Back & Pack Day event. This relaxed, after-hours community event will provide these special professionals with resources, appreciation, and opportunities to connect with others supporting children with disabilities.
Pre-registration is encouraged here, but walk-ins are welcome while supplies last.

Annual CITY Tribute Concert
2026-09-26 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago) | HOME Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 60004, United States
*Special early-bird pricing through 7/31–grab your tickets here!*

Gather your crew for C.I.T.Y.’s Annual Tribute Concert Fundraiser — our version of a “gala” — a fun night out that powers the mission of C.I.T.Y. of Support all year long.

Join C.I.T.Y. of Support for a fun, laid-back night out on Saturday, Sept. 26th at 8:00pm at HOME Bar in Arlington Heights and featuring live music from Valius, our favorite local cover band. We’ll have appetizers, drinks, interactive fundraising activities, and plenty of rock ’n’ roll energy. Designed as a more casual and connected alternative to a traditional gala, this event brings together families, friends, businesses, educators, therapists, and supporters who believe in building a stronger, more inclusive community for families of children in therapy. Grab your crew and help us keep building this C.I.T.Y. on rock ’n’ roll!

Line up the babysitters now…registration is open!

Interested in participating as a sponsor? Opportunities are available now– Click here for more details!

"You Gotta Read This!" Book Discussion 2026
2026-10-08 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | GENEROC.I.T.Y. TOY SHOP, 1423 E. Palatine Rd., Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, United States
Annual Community-Wide Book Discussion

Once a year, we select a book that we think the entire community could benefit from reading. The challenge is to recruit people within your personal network to participate in a meaningful conversation about the Disability community while also increasing your own personal knowledge. Once completing Special, we think you’ll tell your family, friends, therapists, teachers, and allies that “You Gotta Read This!” We see the potential impact of this community-wide initiative helping to increase awareness, acceptance, accessibility, and compassion for children in therapy and their families.

Plus, everyone is invited to attend the free, LIVE discussion with this year’s author, Melanie Dimmitt as she joins us from her home in Australia on Thursday, Oct. 8th from 7:00-8:00pm: REGISTER HERE. You can sign up to participate in this discussion individually on zoom, or you are welcome to join us at the GENEROC.I.T.Y. Toy Shop to participate as a group. Signing up with this registration form helps us plan accordingly for our simultaneous in-person and online options. For professionals, this discussion has been SUBMITTED for 1 hour of Early Intervention Continuing Education Credit.
