Francee Harrington: A Family Focus Dream Builder Recipient

“One of the things I admire most about Francee is something she often says about herself. When you thank Francee for doing something extraordinary, she just looks at you and says, ‘It’s a privilege,’” Bob Wislow, CEO and Cofounder of Parkside Realty, former CEO of U.S. Equities and CBRE, and Interim Managing Director of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, honoring Francee Harrington.

“Magic in Motion”, was the theme of Family Focus’s Dream Builders Annual Dinner celebrating children, families and changemakers at the Bridgeport Art Center. The choice of Francee Harrington to receive the Bernice Weissbourd Award couldn’t have been more apropos. Her effortless grace and a seemingly magical maneuver belie the determination and nimbleness she has when rolling up her sleeves to make things happen in the nonprofit world and civic community.

To be Chicago’s oldest childcare organization now at 176, Family Focus has needed our city’s most legendary leaders on their board including Peggy Carr and Judy Block, cutting edge, caring and always agile. In fact, it was the late Judy Block who brought Harrington who had worked with other members of the Junior League of Chicago to develop a signature project called Next Steps for Teen Moms which found a home at Family Focus where it grew to help both teen moms and dads. Peggy Carr, Judy Block and Francee Harrington had learned in the Junior League how to be mentors, a rare skill that Harrington shares on a daily basis and we tell a little bit more about on our Editor’s Page today.

As Harrington stepped off the Family Focus board after 22 years her innovation was recognized by one of three awards that night. Her active engagement across Chicago’s leading civic and cultural institutions is unparalleled including the Chicago Public Library Foundation, the Economic Club of Chicago, Ingenuity Inc., the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Network, The Chicago History Museum, The Driehaus Museum, and the Woman’s Forum. She serves as Co-Director of the Civic Engagement Initiative at World Business Chicago and is principal of Burton Astor Advisors where she advises families, foundations and nonprofits on business and philanthropic strategies.

Named in order of Family Focus founder, a nationally recognized leader in family support services, the Bernice Weissbourd award recognizes a leader in the Family Focus community whose leadership and advocacy has had a lasting impact on children and families. Harrington received the award from Chicago real estate leader Bob Wislow, Board Chair and Interim Managing Director of the Chicago Public Library Foundation who noted her dedication to the many libraries around Chicago as well as to Family Focus.

Wislow told the audience:

“When Francee joined the Chicago Library Foundation where she is now our Development Chairman, she ignited us with an amazing level of excitement, passion, energy, enthusiasm and drive that only Francee can ignite.

“Francee first met with the Chicago Child Care Society in 1998 through a Junior League program and like so many other times in Francee’s career, that first meeting led to decades of commitment. She joined the board, rolled up her sleeves, and never stopped working. Through her vast network of civic, corporate and philanthropic relationships she has opened many doors, connecting the Chicago Childcare Society to corporate partners, founding foundation relationships and individual supporters who became champions of the cause. Signature fundraising events grew because of her. Foundation relationships deepened because of her. Her fingerprints were evident throughout the organization in ways that many of you in this room could never even know.”

Harrington told the audience at the dinner:

“Serving on nonprofit boards is a privilege and gratifying work. It gives me a sense of purpose, provides opportunities to learn, and offers meaningful ways to help. As a volunteer, I am better able to appreciate, understand and support people across all 77 Chicago neighborhoods.

“I am fortunate to serve on boards that relate to and lift up entire systems. The Chicago Public Library Foundation Board supports all 82 neighborhood branches. The Ingenuity board supports quality arts education all 645 Chicago Public Schools, striving to reach every student, in every grade, in every school in the district.

“Chicago Child Care Society was founded in 1849. Family Focus was founded in 1976. In 2021, when we combined them, the merged Family Focus became the longest serving social service agency in Illinois. The dedicated staff delivers impactful programs in Early Childhood Education, Youth Development and Family Support in eleven community centers throughout Chicagoland. Through a project of the Junior League of Chicago, I was invited to join the board of CCCS 22 years ago. As I step off the board to make room for new learning and leadership experiences, I have deep appreciation for all those who mentored and inspired me through their dedication to serving children and families. I hope those reading about Family Focus will consider supporting this important organization.”

“Francee helped lead our organization through several very critical cornerstone moments and we are better off for her board leadership,” Dara Cohen, Family Focus President and CEO, told the audience. “Francee is a dedicated philanthropist and skilled leader who has lifted up Chicagoland’s social impact community for decades.”

Public Policy Champion Sylvia Puente who has advanced equality and opportunity and has been a pioneer leader in advancing quality bilingual early education in Illinois was also honored with an award that night. She headed the Latino Policy Forum from 2009-2024.

Caleb Cares received an award for its work in preventing bullying and for shining the light on mental health and for empowering young people. Named for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and philanthropic champion. Patsy Mangas, Director of Caleb Cares accepted the award.

Board Chair Caragh DeLuca a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers served as Dinner Chair and Dominique Raccah, Publisher and CEO of Sourcebooks was Honorary Chair.

Adam Kosberg put on a magic show with Family Focus children in keeping with the evening’s theme.

Family Focus invests in strengthening families and their children in Chicago and Northeast Illinois—almost 20,000 in the past year alone—so that they build social capital and achieve upward economic mobility through high-quality innovative programs and services, grounded in anti-racism and social justice.

The story began in 1849, during one of Chicago’s most challenging periods. In response to the devastating cholera epidemic that left countless children without families, the Chicago Orphan Asylum (COA) was founded under the Illinois Special Nonprofit Charter Act. Established to provide care and stability for vulnerable children, the asylum was a critical response to a community in crisis.

As the needs of the city shifted, COA was renamed the Chicago Child Care Society (CCCS) in 1949. It expanded beyond orphan care to include foster care, adoption services, and eventually, early childhood education and family support programs, all while staying true to its commitment to uplift children and support their families.

In 1976, Family Focus was founded through the partnership of Bernice Weissbourd, Delores Holmes, and Irving Harris. During a period when the role of women in society was rapidly evolving and families needed more support than ever, Family Focus began as a parent drop-in center in Evanston. Recognizing the need for comprehensive family support services, Family Focus quickly expanded and became a pioneering leader in community-based family support.

In January 2021, CCCS and Family Focus united. With combined resources, expertise, and vision, the name Family Focus was chosen because it reflects the heart of their work: ensuring that every family has the tools and resources they need to thrive.

For more information about Family Focus, visit: family-focus.org