About Little Dumplings Playgroup and Mentorship Program
The UChicago China Care Chapter provides mentorship and support to adopted Chinese children in Chicago and the surrounding area. The goal of this program is "to increase the children's awareness of and appreciation for their Chinese language and cultural heritage and to provide a venue where adoptive families can meet and network" (China Care Foundation). UChicago China Care aspires toward this goal by offering opportunities to learn Chinese, engage in one-on-one mentorship, interact with and strengthen connections with other adopted Chinese children in the program and their families, and learn more about the Chinese culture.
Becoming Involved
For Parents: If you are interested in learning more the Little Dumplings Playgroup and Mentorship Program, you can access an informational powerpoint here, which includes important dates and information about the structure of the program. Although the deadline has passed, if you would like to enroll your child in the program, please email Yujia or Feenalie if you are interested and/or have any further questions.
For Students: If you are interested in becoming a mentor or playgroup facilitator, fill out the application HERE by Saturday April 7TH at 1PM. You can learn more about becoming a coordinator or mentor here. If you have any further questions, you can email Yujia Hu (yujiahu@uchicago.edu) and Feenalie Patel (fpatel7@uchicago.edu).
Mentorship Program
Our Mentorship Program reaches out to children in the community who were adopted from China when they were younger. If you are interested in being a volunteer for our Mentorship Program, you will be paired with a child around the ages of 8-10. Our Mentorship Program will focus on developing a bond between children and mentors and aims to increase children's awareness of and appreciation for their Chinese language and cultural heritage. We hope that mentor-child pairs will develop strong friendships that will last throughout college. You do not have to be Chinese or speak Chinese to apply!!
Playgroup Program
We are also looking for volunteers for our Playgroup Program!! Like our Mentorship Program, the playgroup program also reaches out to children adopted from China. However, our Playgroup Program does not pair you one-on-one with a child in the program. Instead, you will lead games, activities, crafts, etc. with groups of children between the ages of 5-8. Playgroup Program activities focus on allowing children to make new friends, bond as a group, and learn more about their Chinese culture. Again, you do not have to be Chinese or be able to speak Chinese to apply!!