By Anna Hughes

More than 1.4 million people across Illinois live in poverty. Over 424,000 are children (Illinois Department of Human Services).

These families face housing and food insecurity, economic instability, and unreliable child care; many are exposed to the harrowing realities of addiction, abuse, and unrelenting trauma. Children in these conditions are more frequently subject to maltreatment, including neglect and abuse.

These hardships are often compounded by widespread bias and poor treatment from the systems designed for support, making it difficult to emerge from underneath the poverty line.

That’s where Brightpoint comes in.

Brightpoint started as Children’s Home & Aid in 1883, where their work was primarily focused on finding safe homes for children suffering from forms of abuse. Their recent rebrand reflects a shift in their mission: helping to heal families burdened by painful circumstances while simultaneously working on family-based prevention policies and advocacy. Brightpoint understands that navigating obstacles like poverty, trauma, and systemic barriers can be challenging, so they’re here to help every step of the way. Each year, Brightpoint serves over 34,000 children and families across Illinois through a variety of programs: parent support, child welfare, mental health and wellness, early childhood care and education, and youth services.

Although the value of their work is priceless, donations and community support help keep Brightpoint flourishing year after year. One group dedicated to assisting their mission is right here in town: the Hinsdale Auxiliary of Brightpoint. The Auxiliary, which has been active for 70 years, raises money and awareness for Brightpoint to ensure more families across Illinois thrive as a unit.

“I really appreciated the cause itself… [it] being a preventative, proactive organization and keeping families together was very inspiring,” Auxiliary President Tish Newcomer said. “And 100% of the donations go to families in Illinois, so you’re able to feel that you’re contributing to families and programs and resources that are immediately trickling into communities and supporting individuals in our state.”

Newcomer has been a member of the Auxiliary for six years and president for the last two. As a mom and full-time employee of a global organization, Newcomer wanted to give back. Brightpoint’s mission, along with the passion of the other Auxiliary members, is inspiring for her as a leader.

“The ability for a group to raise so much money, for a group of this size to provide such an impact to an organization that really makes such a difference in families’ lives, in trying to keep the family unit together and out of foster care [is really rewarding],” Newcomer said.

The Auxiliary’s biggest fundraiser is their annual Derby Day, which returns for its 70th anniversary on May 3. Emulating the fashion and fun of a day in Churchill Downs, guests can expect bright-colored clothes, extravagant hats, and, of course, a derby viewing party. Families who have benefitted from Brightpoint’s services will share their testimonies; it’s a powerful, firsthand look into the organization’s mission and, in turn, their success. There’s also dinner, dancing, auctions, entertainment, and an option for interested attendees to place a trifecta bet.

But the best bet anyone is placing that day is on Brightpoint families. Their attendance and donations are one way of saying: “We see you. We support you. We’re rooting for you.”

Last year’s Derby Day raised $120,000. The Auxiliary works directly with Brightpoint staff throughout the year, who then delegate the money based on need throughout the organization.

The annual Derby Day fundraiser will take place on May 3, 2025, from 4:30 to 10:30 P.M. at the Marriott Burr Ridge. For more information about Brightpoint or to get tickets, visit BrightPoint.org.

Phil and Shari Cornies with Kassandra and Mark Fisher

Heather Ryan, Allison Peters, Beth Lyons, and Tish Newcomer take advantage of the photo booth Below