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For more than two decades, Joel Hamernick lived and worked in Woodlawn on Chicago’s South Side—a community marked by both deep historical significance and profound disinvestment.

The story of Woodlawn, like many neighborhoods across Chicago, was layered with contradiction. It was once a thriving working-class community where families built wealth over time through stable housing and neighborhood cohesion. But over generations, that foundation eroded. Segregation, systemic disinvestment, concentrated poverty, and violence reshaped the landscape. What had once been a pathway to stability became, for many, a trap—and ultimately, a place to leave if one had the means.

Living and working in that environment, Joel was immersed in the lived experience behind the data: families navigating instability, communities carrying both trauma and resilience, and leaders working tirelessly to create opportunity in systems that often worked against them. Over time, a persistent question took hold:

What were the system-level decisions that produced this reality—and why had they endured for so long?

At the same time, Joe Ferguson was building a career confronting those systems from within. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney and later as Inspector General for the City of Chicago, Joe investigated patterns of public corruption, police misconduct, and structural failures in governance. His work exposed not just individual wrongdoing, but deeper institutional weaknesses that allowed dysfunction to persist.

When Joel and Joe began talking, their perspectives converged.

One came from decades embedded in community life, witnessing the long-term consequences of structural decisions. The other came from inside government, identifying how those systems broke down—and why reform efforts so often fell short.

Together, they began to ask a broader question:

What would it take to fundamentally change the systems shaping life in Chicago?

That question deepened as their roles evolved—Joe stepping into leadership at The Civic Federation, and Joel leading civic engagement efforts at University of Chicago. Their conversations expanded beyond diagnosis toward possibility—examining Chicago’s strengths and opportunities alongside its entrenched governance challenges and growing civic dysfunction.

Joe’s public call for a modern city charter became a turning point.

For Joel, it sparked deeper study into the structure of Chicago’s governance—and into how other cities and countries had pursued systemic reform. That exploration led to a wider set of conversations with civic leaders across Chicago: former mayoral chiefs of staff, corporation counsel, foundation executives, business leaders, community organizers, and faith leaders.

Across those conversations, a shared conclusion emerged:

Chicago did not just need policy change. It needed a new model of civic leadership—one that could operate beyond election cycles, bridge divisions across communities, and create the conditions for long-term structural reform.

A group of leaders came together to form what would become A More Just Chicago.

In the summer of 2025, a founding board was established, including Joel Hamernick, Joe Ferguson, Jadine Chou, Chris Noon, and Rabbi Seth Limmer. Each brought a deep commitment to the city and a shared belief that Chicago’s future required more than fragmented efforts—it required aligned, sustained civic leadership.

As the effort took shape, that leadership expanded to reflect the full breadth of Chicago’s civic ecosystem.

Together, these efforts marked the beginning of a coordinated movement:

One grounded in broad civic engagement, informed by diverse leadership, and aimed at achieving lasting structural reform.

At its core, A More Just Chicago is about ensuring that voices from every part of the city are not only heard—but are meaningfully engaged in shaping how Chicago governs itself.

This work is not only about policy, it is about how democracy works in Chicago—how it has functioned in the past, how it serves residents today, and how it must evolve to meet the future.

A More Just Chicago exists to help lead that evolution—bringing people together across lines of difference, strengthening shared understanding, and building a civic foundation capable of shaping the city’s next chapter.

79:T460,

A Taste of Theatre seeks funding to sustain its theatre festival and artist platform, which support self-producing playwrights and emerging artists who often lack affordable opportunities to showcase their work, receive audience feedback, and build the skills and visibility needed for long-term success. The organization was created to provide playwrights with a platform to present one scene of their play while educating, exposing, and entertaining diverse audiences. Through its festival and related artist development opportunities, A Taste of Theatre helps close a critical gap in under-resourced theatre communities where talented artists often have limited access to production support, professional feedback, and audience-building opportunities.

Since 2012, A Taste of Theatre has showcased 70 plays, and 16 participating playwrights have gone on to produce their full plays. Funding will help the organization continue providing a vital pathway for new voices, strengthen festival production quality, expand community engagement, and sustain a platform that helps artists grow from idea to impact.

7a:T410,

BCAI Core Values
1. Creative Ownership
Artists own their work, their voice, and their value. No exploitation. No giveaways masked as “exposure.”
2. Economic Empowerment
Art is labor. Artists deserve to earn, scale, and build wealth from their skills.
3. Cultural Legacy & Truth
We honor African and African-American creative traditions, history, and contributions—past, present, and future.
4. Education with Application
We don’t just teach theory. We teach real-world skills artists can immediately use to earn and sustain themselves.
5. Equity & Protection
We openly address systems that have historically taken advantage of Black creatives and equip artists to protect themselves—legally, psychologically, and professionally.
6. Community Impact
Art should uplift neighborhoods, tell authentic stories, and create visible, lasting change.
7. Confidence & Voice
Artists are encouraged to speak up, be seen, and take up space—without shrinking or apologizing.

7b:T477,

Too often, young artists are told their creativity is just a hobby or distraction, not a career. For many teens, this dismissal cuts deep — art is often where they find their voice, yet they are made to feel their gifts are a waste. When that happens, it does more than limit career options — it undermines confidence, identity, and mental health.
Today, countless young people face this reality: talent without support, passion without pathways. Yet creative careers — from design to gaming to digital media — are expanding rapidly. Without mentors, exposure to career options, and structured support, Chicago teens risk internalizing the myth of the “starving artist,” missing the chance to translate talent into livelihood. This need is especially urgent in underserved communities on the South Side, where access to arts programming, professional networks, and wellness resources is too often limited. When teens are not given the chance to see art as both expression and career, we lose not only their personal potential but also the cultural vitality and mental health resilience that strengthen entire communities.

7c:T605,

Caught Dreaming was born from years of watching passionate people do extraordinary work that few truly understood.

As a creative director, marketer, storyteller, and artist, I had the opportunity to partner with nonprofits, churches, businesses, and community leaders who were transforming lives every day. They were feeding families, mentoring young people, strengthening neighborhoods, launching businesses, and creating lasting change. Yet despite the depth of their impact, many struggled to communicate it. Their message felt fragmented, their creativity was reactive, and the people they were trying to reach never fully connected with the heart behind their work.

I realized the problem wasn't that these organizations lacked passion or purpose. They lacked the creative systems and strategic guidance to communicate their story consistently.

That's why I started Caught Dreaming.

Not simply to create videos, build websites, or design brands, but to help purpose-driven organizations think differently about how they communicate. We help them align their mission, message, people, and experiences so every interaction reinforces who they are and why they exist.

Because when every part of an organization tells the same story, people don't just notice the work.

They believe in it.

Today, Caught Dreaming continues to help organizations build creative ecosystems that turn meaningful work into meaningful experiences, creating deeper trust, stronger relationships, and lasting impact.

7d:T524,

Mission Statement:

CityLine Care Center exists to empower low-income immigrant and limited English families in Niles through culturally competent guidance, resource navigation, and holistic support, creating pathways to stability and restored dignity in Jesus Name.

Vision:

Our vision is a thriving community where immigrant and limited English families experience stability, opportunity, and restored dignity. By 2030, CityLine Care Center seeks to help at least 1,000 families move from instability to stability through trusted guidance, resource navigation, and holistic community support.

Values:

1. Kindness
We treat every person with patience, warmth, and genuine care.

2. Compassion
We respond to the struggles of families with empathy and practical support.

3. People Matter More Than Programs
We prioritize relationships over systems. Programs exist to serve people, not the other way around.

4. Dignity
Every person deserves to be treated with respect, honor, and fairness.

5. Cultural Understanding
We serve with cultural awareness and language accessibility so families feel seen, understood, and supported.

7e:T75f,

Specific Community Need Statement:

Niles, Illinois, is home to a large and growing population of immigrant and limited-English households who contribute to the economic and cultural vitality of the community, yet face persistent barriers to stability. While social services, public benefits, healthcare systems, and workforce opportunities exist within the township and surrounding region, many low-income immigrant families struggle to access them effectively due to language limitations, unfamiliarity with complex U.S. systems, and a lack of trusted relational guidance. As a result, households that are working and striving for self-sufficiency often remain financially fragile and socially isolated.

The primary need facing this group is not simply additional programs, but culturally competent, language-accessible navigation that bridges them into existing resources. Families frequently encounter confusion when applying for housing assistance, public benefits, disability support, school services, healthcare coverage, or employment advancement opportunities. Misunderstood paperwork, eligibility requirements, and institutional processes can lead to missed assistance, delayed care, eviction risk, underemployment, and untreated mental health or recovery needs. Without consistent, trusted support to guide them through these systems, many immigrant and limited-English households remain stuck in cycles of preventable instability.

There is a clear need in Niles for a relational community hub that provides stabilization and navigation support for low-income immigrant families, offering guidance that is linguistically accessible, culturally aware, and sustained over time. By addressing this navigation gap, families can move from crisis response toward long-term stability, workforce mobility, and fuller participation in the life of the community.

7f:T579,

Mission

Empowering community-rooted leaders with the operational infrastructure and strategic support they need to turn passion into effective, sustainable, and enduring impact.

Vision

A world where community passion is backed by the clarity and support to build organizations that are stable, impactful, and built to thrive.

Values

Clarity Over Complexity
We simplify systems so leaders can focus on mission.

Sustainability
We prioritize long-term structural health over short-term wins.

Founder Dignity
We honor lived experience and build capacity without condescension.

Operational Excellence
Strong governance, financial integrity, and accountability matter.

Data-Informed Learning
We use evaluation and reflection to strengthen impact.

Collaboration Over Competition
Healthy ecosystems outperform isolated organizations.

Well-Being Matters
Strong organizations require healthy leaders.

80:Te64,

Vision: Our vision is to cut recidivism in half by leveraging entrepreneurship to increase economic opportunity and transform lives.

Defy Ventures is a national nonprofit on a mission to shift mindsets to give people with criminal histories their best shot at a second chance. Our vision is to cut the recidivism rate in half by leveraging entrepreneurship as a tool to increase economic opportunity and transform lives. In pursuit of this goal, we are working to transform the skillsets and mindsets of currently and formerly incarcerated adults as well as the hearts and minds of the business community in support of a common thesis that people with a criminal history deserve a fair chance to reenter society and fulfill their potential.

With trauma-informed programming offered both inside prison and in the community, we challenge currently and formerly incarcerated individuals to rewrite their narratives and channel their talents into legal careers and business ventures. During incarceration, our Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) participate in live-facilitated curriculum covering entrepreneurship, career readiness, well-being, and personal development. After release, Defy offers a suite of community-based services and programs.

We believe that change is possible and all people deserve a fair chance. While currently incarcerated or facing a long sentence, people can make changes to develop productive and meaningful lives. We firmly believe that by shifting mindsets, EITs and others can change the culture inside prison and carry those changes into their communities, becoming advocates for a more redemptive and rehabilitative criminal justice system.

Successful reentry programming begins during incarceration and connects directly into post-release programming and a positive,supportive community of Defy alumni and volunteers. We believe that a successful program must be holistic, humanistic, and rigorous,and that our curriculum must meet EITs where they are at in their journey to becoming who they aspire to be and successfully reentering society. Broad social change requires that we broaden the perceptions and mindsets of business leaders and employers through personal experience and human interaction.

Life often puts us into some kind of prison, limiting our expectations and beliefs. So imagine what it’s like for those who have served their time as they re-enter society; full of prejudiced perceptions that are isolating and dehumanizing. With a return-to-prison rate of over 30%, the odds are not good for the 7 million Americans in our prisons, on probation or on parole. You can’t start a new life when you’re locked in your old one. These humanizing connections have a meaningful impact on both sides. For nearly a decade, Defy graduates have been defying the odds, with less than 10% returning to prison. That’s because our innovative programs and generous supporters help unlock their purpose, allowing them to get jobs, start businesses, feel good about themselves, and be better partners and parents. It’s only when people see the good in one another that you can break the cycle and improve the system.

81:T103c,

Defy Ventures' mission is to shift mindsets to give people with criminal histories their best shot at a second chance. Defy Ventures' vision is to cut the recidivism rate in half by leveraging entrepreneurship to increase economic opportunity and transform lives.

Defy_Ventures_Kewanee BCD 12.8.22_113 Michael Rivera Small.jpeg

Defy’s Guiding Principles

Fair Chances

We unlock the potential of each individual we serve by recognizing their capacity for change and

growth, their skills and talents, and by advocating for a fair chance for all.

We Are Centered on Those We Serve

We place those we serve at the center of our work.

Empathetic Partnership

We build our service around empathetic partnership, respect, high expectations, and personal

accountability. Our approach is honest, direct, constructive and empowering.

Challenge Perceptions

We open hearts and minds by challenging perceptions and stereotypes. We actively challenge beliefs of individuals about their own and others’ potential. We bring people together to experience and appreciate their shared humanity.

Integrity

We strive to do what is right and do what we say we will do. We model principled behavior,

sound organizational ethics, and transparent communication. We earn the trust of others

through consistency of actions with stated values and commitments. We take responsibility for

our actions. We are honest about our successes and failures.

Fail Forward

We take responsible risks in line with our vision and guiding principles and in support of our

mission. We celebrate our successes and support each other in our failures. We embrace the

imperfections and know that we grow stronger if we try something and are not successful. We

commit to continuous improvement and create new opportunities with what we have learned.

Sustainable Impact

We seek to build programs that create durable -- not temporary -- change and create strong

organizational systems that measure and support our impact. We operate with intentionality and

think deliberately about our mission, values, and vision, considering how to operate effectively,

stay relevant, create value and achieve sustainability.

Collaborative Solutions

We recognize that we are most successful when we collaborate with others to increase our

impact. We come together with external partners in service to our collective mission.

Stewardship

We effectively and responsibly manage financial resources bestowed upon us; it is our

responsibility to create social value. Defy operates with high levels of ethical behavior,

accountability, transparency, and compliance with the law. We ensure that systems and

processes are in place to safeguard the organization, our people, and our ability to accomplish

our mission.

Respect for Individuals, Commitment to the Team

We respect, value, and see people for who they are as individuals. We cultivate honest,

respectful conversations about strengths and weaknesses and encourage direct and

constructive feedback, even when it can be uncomfortable. At the conclusion of healthy debate, we commit to decisions as a unified team.

82:T55e,

We also believe our volunteers and correctional partners work alongside us in this journey of systems change. While successful reentry includes returning to society and remaining free — it necessarily also means that returning citizens have means to support themselves and their families and find purpose and direction in their lives. Successful reentry programming begins during incarceration and connects directly into post-release programming and a positive, supportive community of Defy alumni and volunteers. We believe that a successful program must be holistic, humanistic, and rigorous, and that our curriculum must meet EITs where they are at in their journey to becoming who they aspire to be and successfully reentering society. Broad social change requires that we broaden the perceptions and mindsets of business leaders and employers through personal experience and human interaction.

83:T999,

Mission
FOCUOS (Focus On Critically Using Our Skills) exists to help at-risk and system-impacted youth recognize their value, build critical life and social-emotional skills, and use their talents in positive ways at school, at home, at work, and in the community. We provide mentoring, reentry support, behavioral-health and anger management services, and practical opportunities so young people can move away from cycles of violence, court involvement, and school pushout toward stability, leadership, and long-term success.

Vision
FOCUOS envisions communities where young people who have been underestimated, justice-involved, or pushed out are instead seen, supported, and developed as leaders. Our vision is that youth in Bolingbrook, Will County, and across Illinois have access to credible mentors, strong supports, and real opportunities—so that fewer young people enter or return to correctional systems and more build safe, healthy, and productive lives for themselves and their families.

Values

Lived experience leadership – We believe people with lived experience of the justice system, trauma, and marginalization are powerful leaders and teachers for youth.
Human dignity and potential – We see every young person as more than their worst decision and focus on their strengths, gifts, and ability to grow.
Accountability with grace – We require honesty, responsibility, and follow-through while offering support, second chances, and space to learn.
Consistency and trust – We show up over time, across systems and transitions, so youth and families know they have someone in their corner.
Community and family – We honor the role of families, caregivers, and communities and work alongside them, not around them.
Equity and justice – We confront the ways racism, poverty, school pushout, and system gaps harm youth, and we design programs that open doors instead of closing them.
Skill-building and opportunity – We teach concrete skills—emotional regulation, communication, financial literacy, workforce readiness, entrepreneurship—so youth can turn potential into real opportunities.

84:Te29,

FOCUOS Origin Story

F.O.C.U.O.S. — Focus On Critically Using Our Skills — was born from lived experience, transformation, and a deep belief that young people already possess gifts, intelligence, and leadership that can be developed when they are given the right support.

Founder and Executive Director Willie Pole grew up between Chicago and Bolingbrook, Illinois, navigating poverty, violence, racism, educational barriers, and the kinds of systemic failures that often push young people out rather than pull them forward. As a child, he struggled academically, especially with reading, and too often was treated as a problem rather than a student with potential. Those early experiences shaped his understanding of how easily young people can be mislabeled, underestimated, and disconnected from opportunity.

By age eighteen, Willie was sentenced to prison, where his life began to change through education, mentorship, and self-reflection. Entering prison with limited academic confidence, he committed himself to learning and earned his GED in less than six months. That achievement became the first major academic milestone of his life and opened the door to college coursework, leadership development, and a new vision for his future.

While incarcerated, Willie became deeply involved in peer education, mentoring, program development, and leadership across racial, cultural, and social lines. He helped organize educational activities, cultural events, performances, and support initiatives that encouraged incarcerated men to use their real names, recognize their talents, and see themselves as more than their past mistakes. Through this work, he came to understand that many people trapped in harmful systems are not lacking ability — they are lacking focus, opportunity, and guidance.

That realization became the foundation of F.O.C.U.O.S. The name stands for Focus On Critically Using Our Skills, reflecting the belief that every person has natural, God-given abilities that can be directed toward purpose, productivity, leadership, and citizenship. What started as an idea inside prison became a mission for life after release.

Since returning home in 2016, Willie Pole has dedicated himself to helping young people avoid the same pathways that once shaped his own life. Drawing on his personal journey, professional development, and years of mentorship experience, he began working directly with youth who were at risk of system involvement or already impacted by justice, trauma, school disengagement, or community violence. Young people responded because they recognized that his message was not based only on theory — it was grounded in truth, accountability, and lived experience.

FOCUOS grew from that trust. Today, the organization works to help youth and young adults build confidence, life skills, emotional awareness, educational engagement, workforce readiness, and a stronger sense of identity and purpose. Through mentoring, reentry support, credible messenger work, entrepreneurship exposure, and community-based programming, FOCUOS helps participants recognize their value and critically use their skills to create a different future.

At its core, the FOCUOS origin story is about transformation: from being pushed out to building pathways in, from surviving to leading, and from pain and disconnection to purpose and service. FOCUOS exists because its founder knows firsthand what can happen when young people are written off — and what becomes possible when they are seen, challenged, supported, and given the opportunity to grow.

85:T486,Our mission. HelloBaby is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support, empower and inspire families raising young children in underserved neighborhoods in Chicago. Our philosophy. We firmly believe that no mother should parent in isolation and that it takes a village, which is to say a community, to raise a child. At HelloBaby we’ve become an essential part of that village for parents in Woodlawn, a struggling South Side neighborhood . By lifting up parents and supporting children during the most developmentally crucial time in their growth we believe that we can impact lasting and meaningful change. Our purpose. To level the playing field in Chicago and beyond. We believe that all children deserve opportunities for safe, inspired play regardless of their family's financial situation. In a welcoming space, children can begin to discover and trust their inner voice, abilities, passions, and joys. We also believe that parenting is the hardest job there is, especially when resources are limited. Part of our commitment towards leveling this uneven playing field means everything at HelloBaby is free of charge. ALWAYS.86:T523,

Our mission. HelloBaby is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support, empower and

inspire families raising young children in underserved neighborhoods in Chicago.

Our philosophy. We firmly believe that no mother should parent in isolation and that it takes a

village, which is to say a community, to raise a child. At HelloBaby we’ve become an essential

part of that village for parents in Woodlawn, a struggling South Side neighborhood . By lifting up

parents and supporting children during the most developmentally crucial time in their growth we

believe that we can impact lasting and meaningful change.

Our purpose. To level the playing field in Chicago and beyond. We believe that all children

deserve opportunities for safe, inspired play regardless of their family's financial situation. In a

welcoming space, children can begin to discover and trust their inner voice, abilities, passions,

and joys. We also believe that parenting is the hardest job there is, especially when resources are

limited. Part of our commitment towards leveling this uneven playing field means everything at

HelloBaby is free of charge. ALWAYS.

87:T5e2,

“Justice for All” is a bedrock principle of America. And yet, when injustice happens, the system we have created to address it does not serve everyone equally. Courts, laws, and government agencies are theoretically intended to serve the public. But in reality, they are built for lawyers, by lawyers, and there are far fewer lawyers to help people than are needed. The few legal aid attorneys that are available (on average 2.8 per 10,000 people in poverty) are thus forced to limit their focus on the poorest people with the most egregious cases.

The result? A nationwide “access to justice crisis” where 92% of low-income residents’ civil legal problems like eviction, domestic violence, employment issues, or divorce, receive inadequate or no legal help. Even if they have meritorious claims or defenses, the system is built to only reward those who have expertise in arcane legal procedures and structures that are foreign to most people’s lived experience. Average people going “pro se” (without a lawyer) therefore tend to lose their cases at a much higher rate than those who have representation.

While there exist many efforts to address this issue, very few of them are utilizing preventative measures to try and help people avoid legal problems before they happen. The problem therefore continues to grow, with no signs of stopping. For the millions of low-income Americans who are left to fend for themselves, “Justice for All” is thus a false promise.

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Mission:

Mano Extendida PR exists to help Puerto Rican families stay, thrive, and build by equipping individuals with entrepreneurial opportunities, strengthening communities through collaborative partnerships, and advancing community flourishing through economic development, housing stability, agricultural development, energy resilience, and faith-based community engagement.

Vision:

By 2030, Mano Extendida PR will help 50 entrepreneurs launch sustainable businesses, support the creation of 100 jobs, and build a collaborative movement of churches, nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders dedicated to helping Puerto Rican families stay, thrive, and build.

Values:

Faith:

Grounding our work in Christian principles of service, integrity, and love for our neighbors.

Empowerment

Equipping individuals and families with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to build sustainable livelihoods.

Dignity

Honoring the worth and potential of every person while fostering environments where people can thrive.

Stewardship

Responsibly managing resources, land, and energy to strengthen communities today and for future generations.

Collaboration

Partnering with local leaders, churches, entrepreneurs, and organizations to create lasting solutions.

Resilience

Helping communities develop the strength, innovation, and infrastructure needed to overcome challenges and prosper.

Hope

Restoring hope by creating real opportunities for economic growth, stability, and community renewal.

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Puerto Rico faces a complex cycle of economic instability, energy insecurity, and dependence on imported goods that continues to limit opportunity for many families and communities. The island imports the majority of its food and relies on fragile energy systems that are frequently disrupted by storms, infrastructure failures, and rising costs. At the same time, thousands of working-age residents leave Puerto Rico every year in search of economic stability elsewhere, weakening local economies and reducing opportunities for future generations.

Many communities lack access to the training, mentorship, and resources needed to start sustainable businesses, develop local agriculture, or adopt resilient energy solutions. Without intentional investment in entrepreneurship, workforce development, renewable energy, and community leadership, these challenges continue to compound.

There is a growing need for community-driven initiatives that equip residents with practical tools to build local businesses, strengthen food production, increase energy independence, and cultivate leaders who can guide long-term community renewal.

8a:T683,Mommy’s Gift to Me is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of both mother and child by providing education and access to resources for breastfeeding. We envision a future where every mother, regardless of race, income, language, or ZIP code, has the resources, knowledge, and support needed to meet her breastfeeding goals. We are working toward a future where disparities in breastfeeding rates no longer exist, particularly for Black and Hispanic families, and where community-based support systems empower mothers to make informed decisions about their health and their children's well-being. Through education, resource distribution, and peer-led support, we aim to build a sustainable culture that normalizes and encourages breastfeeding in underserved communities. By expanding our Ambassador Moms Program and increasing language access, we hope to replicate this model in communities across the country. Equity – We prioritize communities that have historically faced barriers to breastfeeding and maternal healthcare, ensuring our resources reach those most impacted by disparities. Empowerment – We believe mothers should have the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make informed decisions about feeding their children. Our programs are designed to equip mothers, not simply serve them. Community – We build trust through relationships and peer support. Our Ambassador Moms Program reflects our belief that lasting change is strongest when led by members of the community themselves. Accessibility – We provide resources at no cost and offer bilingual education and support to reduce financial, language, and information barriers.8b:T6b8,

Mommy’s Gift to Me is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of both mother and child by providing education and access to resources for breastfeeding.

We envision a future where every mother, regardless of race, income, language, or ZIP code, has the resources, knowledge, and support needed to meet her breastfeeding goals. We are working toward a future where disparities in breastfeeding rates no longer exist, particularly for Black and Hispanic families, and where community-based support systems empower mothers to make informed decisions about their health and their children's well-being. Through education, resource distribution, and peer-led support, we aim to build a sustainable culture that normalizes and encourages breastfeeding in underserved communities. By expanding our Ambassador Moms Program and increasing language access, we hope to replicate this model in communities across the country.

Equity – We prioritize communities that have historically faced barriers to breastfeeding and maternal healthcare, ensuring our resources reach those most impacted by disparities.

Empowerment – We believe mothers should have the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make informed decisions about feeding their children. Our programs are designed to equip mothers, not simply serve them.

Community – We build trust through relationships and peer support. Our Ambassador Moms Program reflects our belief that lasting change is strongest when led by members of the community themselves.

Accessibility – We provide resources at no cost and offer bilingual education and support to reduce financial, language, and information barriers.

8c:T86d,

Restorative Access
We believe communities affected by disinvestment deserve restored access to the opportunities, resources, and artistic infrastructure that support thriving lives. MUSIC Inc. removes barriers by providing free, high-quality music education in the community and investing in the pathways, relationships, and supports that make sustained participation possible for every child.

Racial Justice & Cultural Affirmation
We believe race, income, neighborhood, and school funding should never determine a child’s access to music education. MUSIC Inc. is committed to advancing racial and educational justice while honoring the creativity, cultural heritage, and lived experiences of West Side students, families, and communities.

Whole-Child Development
We believe music nurtures growth in every dimension of a young person’s life. Through sustained musical learning, students develop confidence, emotional awareness, self-regulation, responsibility, relationships, leadership, discipline, and self-expression. Music helps young people expand their sense of possibility and pursue meaningful futures.

Joy, Creativity & Excellence
We believe young people learn best in spaces that combine high expectations with creativity, encouragement, discovery, and joy. MUSIC Inc. fosters artistic excellence while helping students take pride in their identities, communities, cultural heritage, and creative voices.

Belonging & Relationships
We believe transformation happens through trust, connection, and community. Strong relationships among students, families, teaching artists, schools, and community partners create spaces where young people feel valued, supported, and known. MUSIC Inc. builds communities of learning where students develop belonging, confidence, and pride in who they are.

Community Voice
We believe the people closest to the community should help shape the work. Students, families, schools, teaching artists, and community partners guide MUSIC Inc.’s programming so that it reflects the needs, strengths, culture, and aspirations of the communities we serve.

8d:T6f4,

Opportunity DeKalb began with a plan and a conviction.
The plan was the Annie Glidden North (AGN) Revitalization Plan — a shared blueprint for a neighborhood that had long carried DeKalb's energy without always sharing in its prosperity. Among that plan's projects was calling for something the neighborhood didn't yet have: a community development corporation of its own. Not an agency doing things for AGN, but an institution rooted in it, accountable to it, and built to last.
The conviction was simpler, and older. It was the belief that the talent to build a stronger neighborhood already lived there. AGN was never short on ambition, ideas, or people willing to work — it was short on the capital, the connections, and the on-ramps that turn a good idea into a going concern. The problem was never a lack of enterprise. It was a lack of infrastructure for enterprise.
So Opportunity DeKalb was formed to build that infrastructure. As a 501(c)(3) community development corporation, it took a deliberate stance: this is community and economic development, not charity. A neighborhood grows wealthier when its residents own businesses, employ their neighbors, and keep dollars circulating close to home.
That stance took concrete form in the Breakthrough Community Business Academy — a licensed application of the Rising Tide Capital model — where residents with an idea and the will to pursue it get the training, coaching, and community to launch and grow. From the first cohort, the goal was never a single program in a single neighborhood. It was a model worth replicating: proof that community entrepreneurship, done right, is one of the surest paths a place has to build its own future.
Opportunity DeKalb is that proof, still being written.

8e:T14e2,

Mission

PLAN4SUCCESS builds pathways that prepare youth for college, careers, entrepreneurship, and community leadership by connecting them to opportunities at the intersection of leadership development, mental wellness, resource sharing, and civic engagement.

We don’t reinvent the wheel—we connect youth to the road that leads to opportunity, equipping young people with the confidence, relationships, and skills needed to thrive academically, emotionally, and professionally.

Vision

A future where every young person—regardless of zip code or circumstance—has access to the leadership experiences, networks, and opportunities needed to thrive.

We envision a self-sustaining ecosystem of students, families, mentors, and alumni who use education, wellness, and leadership to strengthen communities and create pathways for the next generation.

Full list of Core Values

Core Values for Civic Trust

Access – Open Doors
We remove barriers to education, wellness, and opportunity so every young person can participate fully and confidently.
Belonging – Make People Feel Seen
We create spaces where everyone is respected, valued, and included—so students and families know they matter.
Integrity – Do What We Say
We earn trust through transparency, honesty, and consistent follow-through in all relationships and decisions.
Kind Communication – Lead with Empathy
We listen first, speak with compassion, and choose words that heal, uplift, and unite.
Respect – Honor Every Story
We acknowledge the lived experiences of others and treat each person’s perspective as essential to collective success.
Growth – Evolve Together
We embrace curiosity, reflection, and feedback as tools for continuous learning and improvement.
Leadership – Model the Change
We empower youth to lead with courage, humility, and accountability—building credibility through service and example.
Wellness – Care for Self and Community
We prioritize mental and emotional health, knowing balance and healing strengthen civic trust and long-term impact.
Community – Rise Together
We strengthen partnerships across schools, families, and neighborhoods to build shared responsibility and connection.
Purpose – Stay Mission-Aligned
We ground every action in our commitment to help youth graduate, lead, and give back—building trust through purpose-driven work.

Who We Serve:

We serve youth ages 14–24 and their families living in under-resourced communities across Chicago’s South and West Sides. This includes high school students preparing for college, college students navigating academic and emotional challenges, and parents seeking to better support their children’s growth. The majority of participants identify as Black or Brown, often first-generation college students facing systemic barriers to opportunity. Our programs create an intergenerational ecosystem where youth, parents, and mentors work together to achieve academic, emotional, and professional success.

What Need Are We Addressing?

We are addressing the systemic inequities that limit access to quality education, mental wellness resources, and career pathways for young people of color in Chicago. Decades of underinvestment in South and West Side neighborhoods have resulted in low academic proficiency, high youth disconnection, and persistent poverty. Many students struggle to transition from high school to college and from college to career due to a lack of mentorship, trauma-informed support, and exposure to viable professions. Families also need structured guidance to help their children thrive. Our focus is on closing these gaps through mentorship, leadership training, academic navigation, and career readiness that empower youth and stabilize families.

Why I’m Doing This:

I am doing this because I have seen firsthand how access, mentorship, and belief can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Too many students with talent and ambition lose confidence or direction because systems weren’t built to support their full humanity—especially students of color. I believe in building a pipeline to purpose that gives every student the skills, network, and resilience to rise above barriers. This work is personal and necessary. It is about rewriting the narrative for youth and families who have been historically excluded and ensuring that opportunity is not a privilege but a pathway open to all.

8f:Ta7d,

Young people across the United States are experiencing unprecedented challenges related to mental health, access to opportunity, and successful transitions into adulthood. National data show that nearly 1 in 5 youth ages 12–17 experience a major depressive episode each year, while about 20% report symptoms of anxiety and 18% report symptoms of depression within a two-week period. These trends are reflected in broader indicators of emotional distress, with 40% of U.S. high school students reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year.

These challenges are especially pronounced for youth in urban communities like Chicago. Local surveys indicate that over 40% of Chicago high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and youth themselves identify mental health as one of their most urgent concerns. In a 2025 survey of Chicago youth ages 10–24, 95% reported that mental health is a serious issue facing their peers, citing anxiety, depression, and stress as major barriers to well-being and academic engagement.

At the same time, young people must navigate complex transitions from high school to college, careers, entrepreneurship, or skilled trades—often without access to the networks, mentorship, and exposure needed to make informed decisions about their futures. Research shows that many youth lack safe spaces, trusted relationships, and structured opportunities to build leadership skills and explore career pathways.

Through direct engagement with youth, PLAN4SUCCESS has observed similar challenges. Surveys and conversations from programs such as the PLAN2LEAD Teen Summit and mental wellness discussions reveal that students consistently identify three primary needs:

Safe spaces to discuss stress, identity, and mental wellness

Exposure to career and education pathways

Access to mentors and networks that help them navigate complex systems.

These findings highlight the need for an integrated support model that addresses not only academic access but also leadership development, emotional resilience, professional networks, and exposure to multiple career pathways.

PLAN4SUCCESS was created to meet this need by connecting youth to a coordinated ecosystem of leadership development, mental wellness support, scholarships, college navigation, career networks, experiential learning, and entrepreneurship pathways. By linking these resources together, PLAN4SUCCESS helps young people move from uncertainty to opportunity—equipping them with the confidence, relationships, and skills needed to thrive in college, careers, and community leadership.

90:T4df,

In the Spring of 2022, Pastor Charles Moodie and his wife Kehinde were praying about how they could help bring hope to women in our community. In so many cases, women came to the church asking for help because they wanted to start a family and stay in our community, but life's circumstances made them feel like they had no other choice but to leave Chicago for help or to end their pregnancies. They wanted to provide care and support for these pregnant mothers. Their prayers led them to work to build a home for these women, to provide them with a real choice, no matter what situation they find themselves in. Chicago City Life Center (CCLC) was started in the early 90s to care for the Englewood community across the street from the Robert Taylor Homes. The church purchased and restored the former St. Anne's (later St. Charles Lwanga) Catholic Parish campus, renovating the auditorium building and rectory into a church & outreach center, a daycare, and staff housing. Today, under the leadership of the Moodies, we're working to renovate the last remaining building on our campus, a 14,000 sq. ft. former convent building, into 15 apartments and programming space to house, care for, and resource women and their young families.

91:T6b9,

Gun violence in Chicago is both urgent and deeply structural. While headlines often focus on crime statistics, the root causes run deeper — concentrated poverty, racial inequities, historical disinvestment, fragmented public systems, and a lack of sustained investment in community-led solutions.
For decades, the communities most impacted by gun violence have also been excluded from the rooms where decisions are made. Grassroots organizations and neighborhood leaders — those closest to the harm and most trusted by residents — often operate with limited, short-term funding, minimal infrastructure, and little access to policy conversations. Meanwhile, major systems and institutions frequently design solutions without sufficient proximity to lived experience.
This creates two persistent gaps:
An investment gap — where frontline organizations lack the flexible resources and long-term support needed to scale what works.

A proximity gap — where decision-makers and funders are disconnected from the daily realities and practical wisdom of impacted communities.

As a result, promising community-driven approaches remain underfunded, under-amplified, and under-integrated into broader public safety strategies.
Chicago does not lack innovation, leadership, or commitment. It lacks a sufficiently aligned ecosystem that elevates grassroots expertise, strengthens collaboration, and ensures resources flow equitably to those doing the work.
_____________
Strides for Peace exists to close these gaps — strengthening community organizations, building bridges across sectors, and creating pathways for shared power, sustained investment, and meaningful structural change.

92:T813,

Young people in Chicago, particularly adolescents navigating urban stress, economic instability, and community trauma, are facing a growing mental, emotional, and spiritual health crisis. Nationally, 42% of high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and suicide remains the second leading cause of death among youth. In Chicago, exposure to trauma is an exacerbating concern, with approximately 1 in 4 children experiencing traumatic events such as violence, loss, or chronic stress. At the same time, schools are stretched beyond capacity, with counselor-to-student ratios averaging over 600 students per counselor, far exceeding the recommended 1:250 ratio.
Despite rising needs, stigma and access barriers prevent many young people from seeking support. Many carry grief, anxiety, and emotional burdens silently. They may have community, but not vulnerability. They may have faith exposure, but lack guidance on how mental and emotional health intersect with spiritual identity.
Research consistently shows that when protective factors such as belonging, trusted mentorship, purpose, and positive faith engagement are absent, trauma is intensified, risk behaviors increase, and resilience weakens. Youth who lack connection and consistent support are more likely to struggle with emotional instability, poor decision-making, and diminished long-term well-being.
Yet structured environments that intentionally integrate evidence-informed mental health education, trauma/grief processing, leadership development, and Christ-centered identity formation remain limited. Young people are needing both mental health support and spiritual grounding, not one without the other.
Without integrated support, stigma persists, early warning signs go unaddressed, and leadership potential remains untapped. Chicago’s youth deserve safe, structured spaces where mental wellness is normalized, healing takes place, faith and mental health are not in conflict, and growth creates pathways to hope, leadership, and possibility.

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Empowering brands, organizations, and Individuals To Tell Their Stories With Purpose, Creativity, And Conviction.

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Vision:

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A world where community passion is backed by the clarity and support to build organizations that are stable, impactful, and built to thrive.

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Joel and Paula have worked in nonprofit for many years.

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To be recognized as a resources for promoting life transition

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Our mission is to engage, encourage and empower the people of Chicago and surrounding areas. We will accomplish this by partnering with individuals and organizations who share in our mission to provide training, scholarships, and supportive services to those in need.

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The desire of serving others started at an early age;however, I officially form COS in 2020. Growing up and seeting the lack of motivation in others I realized that my dreams could also possibly help others. I am a visionary, overseeing obstacles and focusing on the posiive is what drive me to want to help others.

","theoryOfChange":null,"formationStatus":"approved","contactName":"Valerie S Johnson Williams","logoUrl":null,"brandMarkUrl":null,"headerUrl":null,"website":null,"donateUrl":null,"email":"VALSWILLIAMS@NETSCAPE.NET","phone":"7736150167","twitter":null,"facebook":null,"linkedin":null,"instagram":null,"brandPrimary":null,"brandColors":[],"brandThemePresetId":null,"brandAccentPresetId":null,"brandTypographyPresetId":null,"brandTypography":null,"brandKitAvailable":false,"latitude":null,"longitude":null,"address":"5628 Murray Drive\nBerkeley, IL, 60163\nUnited States","addressStreet":"5628 Murray Drive","addressPostal":"60163","city":"Berkeley","state":"IL","country":"United States","locationUrl":"https://covenantoutreachsvcs.org","publicSlug":"covenant-outreach-service","activityLinks":[],"programPreview":null,"programs":[],"programCount":0,"groups":["education","community","workforce"],"primaryGroup":"education","isOnlineOnly":true},{"id":"b3b0b227-bda7-47be-a2e5-4a97a8f11e16","ein":"273611908","name":"Defy Ventures","tagline":"Creating pathways to financial freedom for people impacted by the legal system","description":"Defy Ventures Illinois' mission is to shift mindsets to give people with criminal histories their best shot at a second chance through career readiness, personal development, and entrepreneurship training programs offered in prison and in the community. With a vision to cut recidivism rates in half, Defy uses an \"inside-out\" model to combat factors contributing to cycles of recidivism and poverty, increasing economic opportunity, and strengthening communities.","boilerplate":null,"vision":"$80","mission":"$81","values":"$82","needStatement":"

Defy has always been committed to creating the conditions for formerly incarcerated people to access opportunities to build businesses, create capital, and secure good jobs. Defy is built upon the thesis that people with criminal histories have innate skills and talents that can be uplifted to create a positive sustainable workforce. Defy achieves these goals through entrepreneurship, career readiness, and personal development training programs delivered both in prison and in the community.

","originStory":null,"theoryOfChange":null,"formationStatus":"approved","contactName":"Melissa O'Dell","logoUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/b3b0b227-bda7-47be-a2e5-4a97a8f11e16/logo/1778091092357.png","brandMarkUrl":null,"headerUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/b3b0b227-bda7-47be-a2e5-4a97a8f11e16/header/1778091070485.webp","website":"https://www.defyventures.org","donateUrl":null,"email":"melissa@defyventures.org","phone":"(631) 379-7389","twitter":null,"facebook":null,"linkedin":null,"instagram":null,"brandPrimary":null,"brandColors":[],"brandThemePresetId":null,"brandAccentPresetId":null,"brandTypographyPresetId":null,"brandTypography":null,"brandKitAvailable":true,"latitude":41.8789394,"longitude":-87.6373533,"address":"200 S Wacker Dr.\nChicago, IL, 60606","addressStreet":"200 S Wacker Dr.","addressPostal":"60606","city":"Chicago","state":"IL","country":null,"locationUrl":null,"publicSlug":"defyventures","activityLinks":[],"programPreview":null,"programs":[],"programCount":0,"groups":["education","community","workforce"],"primaryGroup":"education","isOnlineOnly":false},{"id":"0adbb5e6-1997-4c54-a84a-1e38fcac960e","ein":null,"name":"FOCUOS","tagline":null,"description":".","boilerplate":null,"vision":null,"mission":"$83","values":null,"needStatement":null,"originStory":"$84","theoryOfChange":null,"formationStatus":"approved","contactName":"Willie Pole","logoUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/0adbb5e6-1997-4c54-a84a-1e38fcac960e/logo/1784124517928.jpeg","brandMarkUrl":null,"headerUrl":null,"website":"https://www.focuos.org","donateUrl":null,"email":"Wp@focuos.org","phone":"6307294329","twitter":null,"facebook":null,"linkedin":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/willie-pole-105244256?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android","instagram":null,"brandPrimary":null,"brandColors":[],"brandThemePresetId":null,"brandAccentPresetId":null,"brandTypographyPresetId":null,"brandTypography":null,"brandKitAvailable":true,"latitude":41.69891848779,"longitude":-88.052010949089,"address":"430 E Briarcliff Rd\nBolingbrook, IL, 60440\nUnited States","addressStreet":"430 E Briarcliff Rd","addressPostal":"60440","city":"Bolingbrook","state":"IL","country":"United States","locationUrl":null,"publicSlug":"focuos","activityLinks":[],"programPreview":null,"programs":[],"programCount":0,"groups":["community"],"primaryGroup":"community","isOnlineOnly":false},{"id":"6b9d7cad-8c7b-4c02-b4ee-1495b9230574","ein":"824843249","name":"FreshLens Chicago","tagline":null,"description":"Tuition free photography program for under-resourced Chicago youth","boilerplate":null,"vision":null,"mission":null,"values":null,"needStatement":null,"originStory":null,"theoryOfChange":null,"formationStatus":"approved","contactName":"Shirley Nannini","logoUrl":null,"brandMarkUrl":null,"headerUrl":null,"website":null,"donateUrl":null,"email":"NanniniS@freshlenschicago.org","phone":"847-971-6419","twitter":null,"facebook":null,"linkedin":null,"instagram":null,"brandPrimary":null,"brandColors":[],"brandThemePresetId":null,"brandAccentPresetId":null,"brandTypographyPresetId":null,"brandTypography":null,"brandKitAvailable":false,"latitude":41.8755616,"longitude":-87.6244212,"address":"4001 N. 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Specific projects that need financial support are identified by Pastor and missionary Kostas Trigkas.","boilerplate":null,"vision":null,"mission":null,"values":null,"needStatement":null,"originStory":null,"theoryOfChange":null,"formationStatus":"in_progress","contactName":"Kim Peterson","logoUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/ef343323-4da5-4f95-81ef-608f5b5189aa/logo/1791932050231.jpeg","brandMarkUrl":null,"headerUrl":null,"website":null,"donateUrl":null,"email":"kimpeterson52@gmail.com","phone":"8475531294","twitter":null,"facebook":null,"linkedin":null,"instagram":null,"brandPrimary":null,"brandColors":[],"brandThemePresetId":null,"brandAccentPresetId":null,"brandTypographyPresetId":null,"brandTypography":null,"brandKitAvailable":true,"latitude":null,"longitude":null,"address":"2156 Estes Ave\nDes Plaines, IL, 60018\nUnited States","addressStreet":"2156 Estes Ave","addressPostal":"60018","city":"Des Plaines","state":"IL","country":"United States","locationUrl":null,"publicSlug":"joshua-peterson-ekklesia-foundation","activityLinks":[],"programPreview":null,"programs":[],"programCount":0,"groups":["community"],"primaryGroup":"community","isOnlineOnly":true},{"id":"5e23f320-f594-4fd4-ad71-f126e649ae13","ein":"393147047","name":"Legal Wellness Clinic","tagline":"When was your last legal check-up?","description":"We provide free legal check-ups to help people know their rights and prevent or mitigate legal problems.","boilerplate":null,"vision":"

Empowered individuals who are free from legal burdens.

","mission":"

To promote legal wellness in communities across Illinois.

","values":"

Trustworthy: Earning trust through quality service and reliability

Client-centered: Following the client’s lead in all aspects of our support

Caring: Focusing on human dignity and empathy

Community-based: Building partnerships to meet and understand people where they are

Innovative: Pursuing creative solutions

Joyful: Bringing light to darkness and enjoying our work

","needStatement":"$87","originStory":"

I started LWC after years of working in legal aid and seeing the same problem: people wait too long to reach out for legal help, when their problems have become crises and their options are limited. This means legal aid is overwhelmed with the most dire situations. I realized that, if we had the same \"routine check-up\" idea in the law as we do in the healthcare world, we could help people avoid legal problems or act more quickly when they happen to have better outcomes.

","theoryOfChange":"

If we host community-based legal clinics where we provide free preventative legal check-ups, delivering plain language legal information, tailored advice, and locally trusted referrals…

Then we think that people will spot legal risks earlier, understand options more clearly, and take action more frequently…

So that fewer people will be held back by legal burdens, the civil justice system will be less overwhelmed, and we as a society will move closer to the ideal of “Justice for All.”

","formationStatus":"approved","contactName":"Andrew Sharp","logoUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/5e23f320-f594-4fd4-ad71-f126e649ae13/logo/1777395276999.jpeg","brandMarkUrl":null,"headerUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/5e23f320-f594-4fd4-ad71-f126e649ae13/header/1777395305800.webp","website":"https://www.legalwellnessclinic.org/","donateUrl":null,"email":"andrew@legalwellnessclinic.org","phone":"708-406-9299","twitter":null,"facebook":"https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581360717161","linkedin":"https://www.linkedin.com/company/legal-wellness-clinic/","instagram":"https://www.instagram.com/legalwellnessclinic/","brandPrimary":null,"brandColors":[],"brandThemePresetId":null,"brandAccentPresetId":null,"brandTypographyPresetId":null,"brandTypography":null,"brandKitAvailable":true,"latitude":41.87431,"longitude":-87.7959796,"address":"834 Carpenter Ave\nOak park, IL, 60304\nUnited States","addressStreet":"834 Carpenter Ave","addressPostal":"60304","city":"Oak park","state":"IL","country":"United States","locationUrl":"https://www.legalwellnessclinic.org/","publicSlug":"legal-wellness-clinic","activityLinks":[],"programPreview":null,"programs":[],"programCount":0,"groups":["health"],"primaryGroup":"health","isOnlineOnly":false},{"id":"16abc552-8c9c-48a7-a27b-4b0a2ceee9d3","ein":"422882843","name":"Mano Extendida PR","tagline":"Stay. Build. Thrive.","description":"Mano Extendida PR exists to give Puerto Rican families more reasons and opportunities to stay, build, and thrive. We address systemic poverty and economic vulnerability by equipping individuals with entrepreneurship education, practical skills, mentorship, and pathways to economic opportunity. Through collaborative partnerships, we also strengthen communities through housing stability, agricultural development, energy resilience, and faith-based community engagement. Our goal is to develop people, strengthen families, create economic opportunity, and help build resilient, flourishing communities across Puerto Rico.","boilerplate":null,"vision":"

By 2030, Mano Extendida PR CDC will equip 1,000 residents in underserved communities with the training, certifications, and capital needed to launch businesses and lead Puerto Rico’s emerging green economy.

","mission":"$88","values":"

Faith

Grounding our work in Christian principles of service, integrity, and love for our neighbors.

Empowerment

Equipping individuals and families with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to build sustainable livelihoods.

Dignity

Honoring the worth and potential of every person while fostering environments where people can thrive.

Stewardship

Responsibly managing resources, land, and energy to strengthen communities today and for future generations.

Collaboration

Partnering with local leaders, churches, entrepreneurs, and organizations to create lasting solutions.

Resilience

Helping communities develop the strength, innovation, and infrastructure needed to overcome challenges and prosper.

Hope

Restoring hope by creating real opportunities for economic growth, stability, and community renewal.

","needStatement":"$89","originStory":null,"theoryOfChange":null,"formationStatus":"pre_501c3","contactName":"Edward Rivera","logoUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/16abc552-8c9c-48a7-a27b-4b0a2ceee9d3/logo/1772713314189.png","brandMarkUrl":null,"headerUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/16abc552-8c9c-48a7-a27b-4b0a2ceee9d3/header/1774457383139.webp","website":"https://www.manoextendidapr.org/","donateUrl":null,"email":"eddie@manoextendidapr.org","phone":"773-343-9200","twitter":null,"facebook":"https://www.facebook.com/manoextendidapr/","linkedin":"https://www.linkedin.com/company/mano-extendida-pr-cdc","instagram":"https://www.instagram.com/manoextendidapr","brandPrimary":null,"brandColors":[],"brandThemePresetId":null,"brandAccentPresetId":null,"brandTypographyPresetId":null,"brandTypography":null,"brandKitAvailable":true,"latitude":null,"longitude":null,"address":"2416 Oak St\nFranklin Park, IL, 60131","addressStreet":"2416 Oak St","addressPostal":"60131","city":"Franklin Park","state":"IL","country":null,"locationUrl":"https://www.manoextendidapr.org","publicSlug":"manoextendida","activityLinks":[],"programPreview":null,"programs":[],"programCount":0,"groups":["education","community","housing","climate"],"primaryGroup":"education","isOnlineOnly":true},{"id":"da0a7c4b-1638-4b00-b176-04304048e4eb","ein":null,"name":"Mommy's Gift to Me","tagline":null,"description":"$8a","boilerplate":null,"vision":null,"mission":"$8b","values":null,"needStatement":null,"originStory":null,"theoryOfChange":null,"formationStatus":"approved","contactName":"Amelia Tan","logoUrl":null,"brandMarkUrl":null,"headerUrl":null,"website":"https://mommysgifttome.org","donateUrl":null,"email":"ameliatan@mommysgifttome.org","phone":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null,"linkedin":null,"instagram":"https://www.instagram.com/mommysgifttome/","brandPrimary":null,"brandColors":[],"brandThemePresetId":null,"brandAccentPresetId":null,"brandTypographyPresetId":null,"brandTypography":null,"brandKitAvailable":false,"latitude":null,"longitude":null,"address":null,"addressStreet":null,"addressPostal":null,"city":null,"state":null,"country":null,"locationUrl":"https://mommysgifttome.org","publicSlug":"mommysgifttomeorg","activityLinks":[],"programPreview":null,"programs":[],"programCount":0,"groups":["education","community","health"],"primaryGroup":"education","isOnlineOnly":true},{"id":"3f035995-0ffd-4eca-b578-90bd2a010fae","ein":"455528747","name":"MUSIC Inc Chicago","tagline":"Empowering Communities Through Music","description":"MUISC Inc. provides free music education programs to youth on Chicago's west side","boilerplate":null,"vision":null,"mission":"

MUSIC Inc. restores access to high-quality music education on Chicago’s West Side by providing free instruments, instruction, ensemble learning, and a supportive community where young people develop as musicians and whole people through the joy of making music together.

","values":"$8c","needStatement":"

We envision communities where every young person has access to the lifelong benefits of music education, and where learning, practicing, and performing music becomes a catalyst for confidence, belonging, emotional growth, leadership, and future opportunity.

","originStory":null,"theoryOfChange":null,"formationStatus":"approved","contactName":"Sarah Dupuis","logoUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/avatars/3f035995-0ffd-4eca-b578-90bd2a010fae/1779322238020.png","brandMarkUrl":null,"headerUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/3f035995-0ffd-4eca-b578-90bd2a010fae/header/1784328116233.webp","website":"https://www.musicincchicago.org","donateUrl":null,"email":"sdupuis@musicincchicago.org","phone":"312-854-9895","twitter":null,"facebook":null,"linkedin":null,"instagram":null,"brandPrimary":null,"brandColors":[],"brandThemePresetId":null,"brandAccentPresetId":null,"brandTypographyPresetId":null,"brandTypography":null,"brandKitAvailable":true,"latitude":41.8515747,"longitude":-87.7155439,"address":"3613 W. Cermak Rd\nChicago, IL, 60647\nUnited States","addressStreet":"3613 W. Cermak Rd","addressPostal":"60647","city":"Chicago","state":"IL","country":"United States","locationUrl":null,"publicSlug":"music-inc-chicago","activityLinks":[],"programPreview":null,"programs":[],"programCount":0,"groups":["education"],"primaryGroup":"education","isOnlineOnly":false},{"id":"5514a17a-62c0-4fcd-b07c-bfb12261debd","ein":null,"name":"Opportunity DeKalb","tagline":"Community and Economic Development","description":"We work collaboratively with others to achieve the community goals established in DeKalb's Annie Glidden North Revitalization Plan.","boilerplate":null,"vision":"

We strive to further the reputation of Annie Glidden North and northwest DeKalb as a place where all are welcome to come to get from where they are in life to where they want to be.

","mission":"

Opportunity DeKalb’s mission is to work collaboratively with others to achieve the community revitalization goals established in DeKalb’s Annie Glidden North Revitalization Plan.

","values":"

Assets before deficits.

Enterprise over charity

Rooted, not delivered

Durable beyond any person.

Honest and grounded.

Replicable by design

","needStatement":null,"originStory":"$8d","theoryOfChange":null,"formationStatus":"approved","contactName":"Chad Glover","logoUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/5514a17a-62c0-4fcd-b07c-bfb12261debd/logo/1786404106717.jpeg","brandMarkUrl":null,"headerUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/5514a17a-62c0-4fcd-b07c-bfb12261debd/header/1786404192057.webp","website":null,"donateUrl":null,"email":"chadglover@opportunitydekalb.org","phone":"8155709491","twitter":null,"facebook":null,"linkedin":null,"instagram":null,"brandPrimary":null,"brandColors":[],"brandThemePresetId":null,"brandAccentPresetId":null,"brandTypographyPresetId":null,"brandTypography":null,"brandKitAvailable":true,"latitude":41.943489,"longitude":-88.7520605,"address":"213 Windsor Dr.\nDeKalb, IL, 60115\nUnited States","addressStreet":"213 Windsor Dr.","addressPostal":"60115","city":"DeKalb","state":"IL","country":"United States","locationUrl":"https://www.opportunitydekalb.org","publicSlug":"opportunity-dekalb","activityLinks":[],"programPreview":null,"programs":[],"programCount":0,"groups":["community"],"primaryGroup":"community","isOnlineOnly":false},{"id":"cffad74f-4108-4649-b2a9-8d624000fa5c","ein":"475527537","name":"PLAN4SUCCESS","tagline":"Connecting youth to the road that leads to opportunity","description":"PLAN4SUCCESS builds pathways that prepare youth for college, career, and community leadership by enhancing opportunities at the intersection of resource sharing, professional development, and civic engagement. We don’t reinvent the wheel—we connect it to the road, equipping young people to thrive","boilerplate":null,"vision":"

A future where every young person—regardless of background—has access to the leadership experiences, networks, and opportunities needed to thrive in college, career, entrepreneurship, and community leadership.

","mission":"$8e","values":"

Pathways, Leadership, Opportunity, Community, Resilience, Access

","needStatement":"$8f","originStory":null,"theoryOfChange":null,"formationStatus":"approved","contactName":"Nicole (Nickie) Brookens","logoUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/cffad74f-4108-4649-b2a9-8d624000fa5c/logo/1771876721063.png","brandMarkUrl":null,"headerUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/cffad74f-4108-4649-b2a9-8d624000fa5c/header/1771876231235.png","website":"https://www.PLAN-4Success.org","donateUrl":null,"email":"Nickiebrookens@gmail.com","phone":"(708)790-4247","twitter":null,"facebook":"https://www.facebook.com/plan4success2day","linkedin":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolebrookens/","instagram":"https://www.Instagram.com/plan4success2day","brandPrimary":null,"brandColors":[],"brandThemePresetId":null,"brandAccentPresetId":null,"brandTypographyPresetId":null,"brandTypography":null,"brandKitAvailable":true,"latitude":41.5612243,"longitude":-87.6638266,"address":"1921 Ridge Rd., #612\nHomewood, Illinois, 60430\nUnited States","addressStreet":"1921 Ridge Rd., #612","addressPostal":"60430","city":"Homewood","state":"Illinois","country":"United States","locationUrl":null,"publicSlug":"plan4success","activityLinks":[],"programPreview":null,"programs":[],"programCount":0,"groups":["education","community","workforce"],"primaryGroup":"education","isOnlineOnly":false},{"id":"b8d8c0c3-512d-48db-a99f-2b4466586c9e","ein":"822429779","name":"Southside Life House","tagline":"Providing a place for mothers to welcome unexpected babies with open arms","description":"In a community without resources for pregnant mothers, The Life House aims to become the first maternity home to provide support for South Side pregnant women and their families. Situations often arise where the circumstances of life and/or family pressures lead overwhelmed mothers into a corner. We will aim to provide for all unmet needs, preparing families for a revitalized future.","boilerplate":null,"vision":null,"mission":"

In a community without resources for pregnant mothers, The Life House aims to become the first maternity home to provide support for South Side pregnant women and their families. Situations often arise where the circumstances of life and/or family pressures lead overwhelmed mothers into a corner. We will aim to provide for all unmet needs, preparing families for a revitalized future.

We're renovating a building we own to host furnished apartments for 15 mothers and programming space designed to help mothers build up themselves and lay a strong foundation for their families.

After construction, we will hire staff to provide counseling, instruction, and programming to help equip our mothers to raise thriving families in the stages of early motherhood.

","values":null,"needStatement":"

For too long, the South Side of Chicago has lacked ample support for pregnant mothers in difficult situations. As hard times and societal pressures cripple a mother’s ability to provide a happy home for her baby, unexpected pregnancies too often press mothers into emergency situations, and more lives and livelihoods are unnecessarily lost in an area of the city where life is too often lost, and economic challenges mount. In the course of our ministry, we’ve encountered too many women who felt their they've had no choice.

","originStory":"$90","theoryOfChange":null,"formationStatus":"approved","contactName":"Nathaniel Stuart","logoUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/b8d8c0c3-512d-48db-a99f-2b4466586c9e/logo/1786825209553.png","brandMarkUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/b8d8c0c3-512d-48db-a99f-2b4466586c9e/logo-mark/1786825110960.png","headerUrl":"https://vswzhuwjtgzrkxknrmxu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/org-media/b8d8c0c3-512d-48db-a99f-2b4466586c9e/header/1786825678219.webp","website":"https://www.southsidelifehouse.org","donateUrl":null,"email":"nstuart@chicagocitylifecenter.org","phone":"6104017381","twitter":null,"facebook":"https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090712896472","linkedin":null,"instagram":"https://www.instagram.com/southsidelifehouse/","brandPrimary":null,"brandColors":[],"brandThemePresetId":null,"brandAccentPresetId":null,"brandTypographyPresetId":null,"brandTypography":null,"brandKitAvailable":true,"latitude":41.8755616,"longitude":-87.6244212,"address":"5501 S La Salle St\nChicago, IL, 60621\nUnited States","addressStreet":"5501 S La Salle St","addressPostal":"60621","city":"Chicago","state":"IL","country":"United States","locationUrl":null,"publicSlug":"southside-life-house","activityLinks":[],"programPreview":null,"programs":[],"programCount":0,"groups":["community"],"primaryGroup":"community","isOnlineOnly":false},{"id":"bea7b00b-9808-4eca-85db-4894ae34a08c","ein":null,"name":"Strides for Peace","tagline":"Strides for Peace envisions a world where all can thrive and live free of the fear of gun violence.","description":"Mission:\n\nOur mission is to increase the collective impact of community organizations working to end gun violence, save lives and build a stronger Chicago.\nWe believe that everyone has a stake in ending gun violence and that communities have the answers. Our work is centered around harnessing the power of community organizations and providing new pathways for people who care to get involved.\n\nVision:\n\nStrides for Peace envisions a Chicago where all can thrive and live free of the fear of gun violence.","boilerplate":null,"vision":"

Strides for Peace envisions a Chicago where all can thrive and live free of the fear of gun violence.

","mission":"

Our mission is to increase the collective impact of community organizations working to end gun violence, save lives and build a stronger Chicago.
We believe that everyone has a stake in ending gun violence and that communities have the answers. Our work is centered around harnessing the power of community organizations and providing new pathways for people who care to get involved.

","values":"

Equitable Partnerships:
We believe true partnerships are ones where there is shared power and mutual benefit. Our community partners are our north star.

Better Together:
We believe that to end gun violence we must invest in collaboration, lead with what we share in common and learn from each other.

","needStatement":"$91","originStory":null,"theoryOfChange":"

IF grassroots violence prevention organizations gain visibility, connections, and access to fundraising mechanisms — and are equipped to activate their own networks — while Chicago’s broader civic and corporate community is mobilized to understand and support their work,
THEN community-based leaders will increase access to resources, strengthen operations, expand partnerships across neighborhoods, and scale effective solutions,
SO Chicago builds a coordinated, well-supported prevention ecosystem capable of reducing gun violence and strengthening community safety over time.

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