We are Catia Collins-Singleton and Eugene Singleton, founders of The C&S Foundation—an organization rooted in love, legacy, and purpose.

This foundation was created to honor the lives of two remarkable men: Catia’s late father, Anthony J. Collins, who passed away due to heart failure, and Eugene’s oldest son—and Catia’s beloved bonus son—Eugene Singleton Jr., whose life was tragically taken at the young age of 22 due to gun violence in the inner city. Their stories are the heartbeat of our mission, reminding us daily of the work still to be done.

As proud Chicago natives, our passion for giving back stems from personal experiences and the challenges we’ve overcome. Catia became a young mother at just 17, balancing motherhood, education, and faith while using every available resource to build a better future. In 1997, she relocated to Elgin, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and launched a successful career in corporate America. Eugene, too, rose from early challenges—working hard to support his family and create a solid foundation.

Together, we’ve built careers in both corporate spaces and entrepreneurial ventures. In 2021, we launched our first annual Backpack Giveaway, inspired by a desire to support families just like ours—resilient and hopeful, but sometimes needing a little extra help.

What began as a simple act of service has grown into a movement of faith, compassion, and community empowerment.

The C&S Foundation exists to make a lasting, positive impact—by providing essential resources, restoring hope, and building stronger communities, one family at a time.