ChildServ, Chicagoland’s leading human service agency for children and young adults, has a balanced budget for the first time since October 2015 when the current CEO, Dan Kotowski, started with a $2.1M deficit. He quickly worked with his team to implement a strategy to increase corporate donations of funds, time, and services. Kotowski has grown, diversified and partnered with a very active Board of Trustees to raise more money than ever before to support the efforts of the organization. Kotowski has also attracted partnerships with large corporate companies in Chicago including locally headquartered United Airlines. His team-focused strategy has led to increased fundraising which has directly impacted the lives of every child they support.

ChildServ’s main belief is that every child deserves the same opportunity to reach their full potential, despite their background or adversities faced. Through fundraising, specifically at their annual gala, ChildServ is able to achieve that goal. At this year’s gala, Johnny Rivers will be recognized as “Youth of the Year.” After losing his mother and facing being homeless at age 23, Rivers struggled to imagine a life where he would have a promising future, let alone a fruitful career. ChildServ helped Rivers develop necessary life skills, such as resume building, interviewing and networking. As a result, Rivers is a full-time employee at the Lyric Opera House where he is living out his dream. While no two stories at ChildServ are the same, personal success for the individual being served is the number one goal. For more information, visit www.childserv.org.