Trusted Voices: Reimagining How We Meet Critical Needs
Across the region, households are struggling to make ends meet amid rising costs, changes in federal policies and social service programs, and funding…
Stories
Spotlights on community issues, the people, and the organizations who contribute to effective philanthropy as well as a stronger Chicago region and world.
Recent Stories
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Giving Insights: Caring for Chicago Over Generations
Narcissa Niblack Thorne is best known as the creator of the beloved Thorne Miniature Rooms—68 of which are housed at the Art Institute…
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Chicago’s Housing Future Is in Its Past: Look to the “Missing Middle"
Like the rest of the country, Chicago is facing an affordable housing crisis. Some neighborhoods boast houses that are too pricey for many…
All Stories
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Think Good, It's Friday! 7.17.17
How many of you participated in the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” last summer? You’ll recall that our social media feeds were jam-packed with videos and…
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The Story of a Storyteller: Remembering PJ Paparelli
Chicago is mourning the loss of PJ Paparelli, who has been the artistic force behind American Theater Company for the last 7 years. PJ was a gifted…
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Setting the Stage for a New View of Mental Health
As a young mom with a passion for teaching young people, Meg Ritter understands the power of stories. Her philosophy is, “Stories can bring people…
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The Spirit of Generosity at the Taste of Chicago
Last weekend, more than 1.4 million people experienced the Taste of Chicago, the City’s premier outdoor food festival showcasing the diversity of Chicago’s dining community. The…
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Job Training Programs: The Formula for Measuring Value
An organization providing job training prepares a client job seeker, phones an employer and sets up a job interview. The job seeker walks into the…
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A Chat Between Friends Leads to $340,000 Supporting Mental Health Services
During the toughest of times, many people feel the need to talk to someone about what they are going through. Youth and Family Counseling (YFC)…
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Think Good, It's Friday! 7.10.15
This week, the Today Show explored the “secrets of happiness,” prompted by a recent study that found much of our joy comes from simply being nice.…
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Listen to a Day in the Life of an Undocumented Immigrant
“I became a Vocalo Storyteller to express impactful stories that have affected my life and give a voice to the ignored nationwide issues the United…
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The Map Collector Who Shaped Chicago's Charitable Landscape
Hermon Dunlap Smith led both Marsh & McLennan, Inc., and The Chicago Community Trust. A brilliant philanthropic leader and businessman, Hermon “Dutch” Dunlap Smith served…
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Philanthropy as Small as a Box of Pens—And as Big as Asia
Homework help and tutoring in Chinatown. Health services for Laotian refugees in Elgin. Research-based public policy initiatives to benefit South Asian Americans. These valuable services…
