Upgraded SOS Children's Villages Illinois Website!
SOS Children’s Villages Illinois is excited to announce the launch of our upgraded website. The fresh site – conceptualized, designed, and launched in partnership with the digital agency, ArtVersion – offers a user-forward experience with a clean, sleek design, as well as elements that allow for interactive and vibrant viewing during desktop, tablet, and mobile browsing.
The concept behind the site is to move from a semi-responsive site to an adaptable, energetic resource hub that keeps visitors in touch with the lives and stories of those at the very core of our mission, the children and families served across our four Villages and sites.
“Every so often we have the opportunity to work with an organization of such importance and we are honored and thrilled that we can contribute and influence brand visuals and messaging the same way they impact the community,” shared Erin Lentz, Director of Design at Art Version.
“The new design was a strategic collaborative effort to clearly illustrate SOS Children’s Villages Illinois’ mission visually and contextually. We thoroughly enjoyed working with the SOS Illinois Team. Our cross-disciplinary creative team works closely through a highly collaborative process to ensure the best product is delivered to the client to meet their goals. We are proud to be recognized for the work that drives us.”
Users have come to expect an optimized user experience as a basic requirement, and it’s now become a prerequisite implementation strategy across all platforms and devices. The newly optimized site, focused on the user experience, recognizes the growing need to keep an increasingly web-savvy world informed, invested, and involved with the inner workings of SOS Illinois.
Among an array of new interactive elements and resources, three unique features will allow users to gain in-depth awareness of our brand, look inside our decades-long commitment to youth and families, and learn how to invest in the future of foster care.
At the heart of our new website is our revised blog feature, “Our Stories”, which aims to educate our friends and supporters on the many facets that bring SOS Illinois to life.
From details on signature events and fundraising efforts, to interviews with current Foster Parents and SOS Illinois Alum, to updated information on the ever-changing landscape of foster care, “Our Stories” amplifies the voice of our agency and offers calls-to-action, praise for our partners, and opportunities to get more engaged with the communities we serve. Plus, “Our Stories” shares a landing page with other media content, such as Press Releases, Newsletters, and Annual Reports. That way, you’ll always stay on top of SOS Illinois updates!
Inspired by “Our Stories” and interested in seeing how far we’ve come? Don’t forget to check out our new interactive timeline which traces back the founding of SOS Illinois over 25 years ago and further back to its roots in Imst, Austria exactly 70 years ago!
One of the most frequent inquiries SOS Illinois receives is requests for information about becoming a professional Foster Parent at one of our three Village communities in Chicago and Lockport. This position, which sits at the center of our Village Model of Care, involves ten, unique phases of interviewing, hands-on training, and licensure to ensure that each candidate and our community share a mutual fit. As such, it is more necessary than ever to have a website that can house all the details.
On our Foster Parenting page, users can dive into videos, lists, sliders, blog posts, and other interactive tools to learn more about each step between filling out an application and moving into one of our Villages as a Foster Parent. The site even includes a detailed Frequently Asked Questions page for some of the most common questions we receive about serving in our community.
Looking to get in contact with a member of our team to chat about how this position may be a good fit for you? Filling out our quick Foster Parenting Questionnaire is one of the fastest ways to get connected today!
The success of our community and our legacy of care is only made possible with the support of our donors, partners, and friends. With our updated Giving page, investing in SOS Illinois has never been easier.
With online philanthropy growing each year, we know how important it is for you to be able to invest online. Offering a dozen different options for giving, our interactive Giving page highlights twelve key ways that donors can support the next generation of leaders, innovators, and creators. From joining our growing list of monthly Dream Makers, to offering gifts in tribute to a loved one, to hosting your own fundraiser or giving drive, this new page showcases just a sample of opportunities available to those looking to invest in SOS Illinois. And as always, your information is kept safe and secure, making online giving the quickest way to create an impact on children and families at SOS Illinois.
Looking for a way to give back that isn’t offered on our website? Let us know by contacting us at info@sosillinois.org or 312-372-8200 and ask for our Advancement Team.
Each time a new visitor browses our website, your investment grows. By spreading awareness about SOS Illinois, you are helping to ensure that the children and families we serve have their voices and needs heard for years to come. Share our updated site on your social media page, with your company’s community engagement department, or with friends and family interested in supporting at-risk youth. By getting others informed, involved, and invested, you are helping us build the future of foster care. Visit us today – sosillinois.org.
Special Note:
ArtVersion has submitted our site to awwwards.com — which is a site dedicated to awards that recognize the talent and effort of the best web designers, developers, and agencies in the world. In the coming days, we will share a link to online voting. We encourage you to vote to increase our chance of getting an “Award winning site”!