Programs | Kids, Teens, and Family programs

for family members of all ages

Mia

I was so excited when I saw my paintings that I made at Noogie Days hanging on the wall in the kitchen.

— Mia

Member

Kids ages 4-12

Family Arts & Crafts

This is a fun-filled Saturday afternoon of arts and crafts. This is offered in partnership with the Junior League’s Connecting Kids to the Arts program. This program is offered throughout the school year and is typically offered on Saturday mornings.

Frankly Speaking to Kids about Cancer

Cancer affects a family in many ways. This presentation includes age-appropriate ways to talk with children about cancer, some common behaviors you may see and ways to support your family through the experience. This presentation is offered several times throughout the year.

GCC @ School

A school-based cancer education and support program for children and adolescents with cancer or cancer in their families. Presentations can be provided virtually or in person. For more information or to set up a presentation please contact Lindsay Tynes, LCSW, at [email protected] or 312-464-9900.

Holiday Party for Kids

Our annual multicultural holiday party for children and their families includes activities, crafts and food.

Kid Support

Kid Support is a 10 week series of peer support groups for children ages 5-12 who are living with cancer or have a family member or friend living with cancer. The group provides a safe space for kids to talk about their experiences while they develop coping skills in the areas of communication, relaxation and understanding difficult feelings. A one-time Parent Orientation is required. We schedule groups as they are requested. For more information or to join a group please contact Lindsay Tynes, LCSW, at [email protected] or 312-464-9900.

Kid’s Bereavement

Kid’s Bereavement is a 10 week series of peer support groups for children ages 4-12 who have experienced the cancer-related death of a family member or friend.  The group focuses on coping and expressing difficult feelings. A one-time Parent Orientation is required.

We schedule groups as they are requested. For more information or to join a group please contact Lindsay Tynes, LCSW, at [email protected] or 312-464-9900.”

Kids Camp

Don’t miss out on this summer day camp! This camp has previously been offered in person. During the COVID-19 shutdown,  this camp is offered virtually. Past activities have included martial arts, trampoline parks, improv, art, games, visits to the Children Museum and other famous Chicago sites, and more! 2022 camp is to be determined.

Noogiefest

Our annual Halloween party for children, teens and their families includes Halloween-themed activities, crafts and food. Come in costume!

Parenting Through Cancer Networking Group

This support group is open to parents of children under 18 and is designed to help parents who have cancer themselves, have a partner or child living with cancer, or are parenting through the death of a loved one.  This networking group is held in conjunction with Kid Support and Kid’s Bereavement.

We schedule groups as they are requested. For more information or to join a group please contact Lindsay Tynes, LCSW, at [email protected] or 312-464-9900.

Teens ages 13-18

GCC @ School

A school-based cancer education and support program for children and adolescents with cancer or cancer in their families. Presentations can be provided virtually or in person. For more information or to set up a presentation please contact Lindsay Tynes, LCSW, at [email protected] or 312-464-9900.

Holiday Party for Kids

Our annual multicultural holiday party for children and their families includes activities, crafts and food.

Noogiefest

Our annual Halloween party for children, teens and their families includes Halloween-themed activities, crafts and food. Come in costume!

Red Door Squad

This is a teen group for those ages 13-19.

Through a variety of activities and special events, teens serve as members of our “RD Squad”. This program provides students with fun activities as well as support, leadership and community service opportunities.

Special Outings & Workshops

Designed for teens who have cancer themselves or who have a loved one or friend living with cancer or have lost a loved one to cancer. The ability to network and share cancer-related experiences with each other is encouraged through participation in age-appropriate activities based on teen interests.

Teen Camp

Don’t miss out on this summer day camp! This camp has previously been offered in person. During the COVID-19 shutdown, this camp is offered virtually! Past activities have included: yoga, hip-hop, art, cooking demos, Second City, Chicago360 observatory and Lasertron at Whirlyball. 2022 camp is to be determined.

Teen Multimedia Contest

A multimedia contest for high school students to share their experiences about living with cancer themselves, a family member or friend living with cancer or those who have lost a loved one to cancer. This program is temporarily being put on hold due to the COVID-19 shutdown.

Volunteer

We have a number of ways you can help, including assisting with special Noogieland program events.

For more information, please contact Debbie Slowinski at [email protected] or APPLY NOW!

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, our Noogieland locations at Wells Street and Advocate Christ Medical Center are currently closed to in-person activities. So for now, our children’s programming is limited to virtual program.  For more information on how Noogieland can support your family please contact Lindsay Tynes, LCSW at 312-464-9900 or email Lindsay Tynes at [email protected]

If you are new to Gilda’s Club Chicago, we recommend that you join us for a Beyond the Red Door Orientation for more information on how you and your family and loved ones can benefit from participating at Gilda’s Club.