CHICAGO (WLS) — Every parent knows the importance of having a place for kids to play, but many South Side families find themselves traveling far to find free, fun activities for their children.
In honor of Black History Month, ABC7 Chicago is spotlighting a nonprofit that’s stepping up to support families in underserved communities. On a chilly winter day, a place of joy is offering a warm welcome.
Hello Baby, located in the Woodlawn neighborhood, offers a free play space for young children. It’s the only nonprofit in the area that provides early childhood play opportunities without charge.
Shavon Townsend, a mother who grew up in the community, began volunteering at Hello Baby and is now a program provider. She expressed her excitement about the program’s impact: “I’m actually excited this is here, extremely excited,” she said.
Debbie Frisch founded Hello Baby in 2017 after fostering over 50 children. While she found plenty of activities for young kids on the North Side, she struggled to find similar options in the communities where the foster children lived.
“There are neighborhoods on the South Side and West Side. We call them play deserts; there just aren’t affordable opportunities for play,” Frisch explained.
Townsend added, “We don’t even know it’s a desert because you can’t miss something you don’t have.”
In addition to offering supplies, Hello Baby focuses on enriching play experiences, which are key to early childhood development. “All of the reading, the alphabet, and language come through play, as well as executive function skills like conflict resolution. If children aren’t exposed to this by the time they enter school, they’ll likely be behind,” Frisch noted.
Over the years, Hello Baby has welcomed thousands of visitors, with 80% returning.
Chaundanine Oluwole, who brings her 2-year-old daughter to the center regularly, shared the value of social play: “There is something she gets from being around other 2-year-olds that she can’t get from me because I’m not 2. Everybody needs their own community.”
In the fall, Hello Baby will expand to Avalon Park. The team hopes to see more play spaces for young children in other Black and brown communities across the city.
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