Non-Profit Organizations Archives

I revisited Sarah's Circle today.  You can read about my first visit here.  On my way there, I realized that my visits to provide portraits to the homeless were on pause for quite some time...mainly from being so busy with the launch of my new website.

I think at some point I started to get comfortable with approaching various non-profits and helping them raise awareness for their cause.  I walked in feeling good about what I was doing as I normally do, even though at times I feel alone and even though I know that some people question why I'm doing this. 

Then there was one woman who asked if she could have a more personal photo taken. She said that she wanted a picture of her hair.  She started to get emotional as she tried to explain to me why she had this request.  As she started to tear up she told me that she was finally getting her very own apartment.  She said a photo of her hair would remind her of her struggles and how she looked during her last few days being homeless. She said she planned on shaving her hair off when she moves into her new place. Her haircut will be the mark of a new beginning and as she progresses in her new life her hair will grow back.  My heart reached out to her and I began to take pictures of her hair.

Sometimes I think what I'm doing doesn't matter, but then I always meet someone that reminds me that it does.

Graffiti created by the kids at Alternatives Youth Center.

Since meeting some of the kids at Cabrini Green, I had been searching for shelters specifically for teens.  With each organization I've visited I had been inquiring about teen shelters in hopes to find one to feature on Chicago Now.

During my visit at Sarah's Circle, I was informed of Alternatives Youth center just down the street.
I met with Marty McConnell at Alternatives.  Marty has been involved with youth programs for the past ten years.

Visiting this center was such a positive experience for me to see such a wonderful program in place.  To see an environment for kids that gives them different creative outlets to pursue.  They get to be themselves and they are all so happy to be there. Its like the best after school program for youth....created by youth.

 

Younger kids wrestling on the mats.

They are there to help kids learn leadership development, improve academics, career services, counseling, and violence/substance abuse prevention.

Alternatives Philosophy: to look at each young person holistically, in the context of family, community, and school.

The Connect Force program was getting ready to start shortly after I arrived. This program is twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for ages 11 to 18.

This youth-driven program gives participants the opportunity to explore the creative arts in hip-hop, breakdancing, mural arts, deejaying, and emceeing.

Another program that the center offers is Girl World.  This program provides gender specific and age appropriate programming for girls and young women ages 10-18 that focuses on increasing self-esteem and team building, encouraging cultural exchange and understanding, and developing leaders.

They are also hosting an 8K race on May 23rd. Registration is $35. CARA members receive a discount.

If you would like more information and would like to donate/volunteer, you can visit them at www.alternativesyouth.org

Alternatives, Inc.
4730 North Sheridan Road
Chicago, Il. 60640

Alternatives is located one block south of Lawrence Avenue on the west side
of Sheridan Road - just three blocks from the Lawrence 'el' stop on the Red Line.  

Phone (773) 506 - 7474

 

Located in Uptown, Sarah's Circle is a refuge for women who are homeless or in need of a safe space. By providing housing assistance, case management, clinical services, educational/wellness activities, and life necessities, they encourage women to empower themselves by rebuilding both emotionally and physically; realizing their unique potential.

Sarah's Circle is the only agency in Uptown that is solely dedicated to serving women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. On average they serve 50 women a day, and last year served 725 individual women.

Sarah's Circle operates Full Circle, Resale Boutique, located in Glenview Illinois. 100% of the proceeds of Full Circle, Resale Boutique are used to support the operations of Sarah's Circle.

Full Circle, Resale Boutique accepts donations of furniture, antiques, art, household items, and designer clothing. Full Circle, Resale Boutique accepts items on a consignment basis as well.

Full Circle Resale Boutique
942 Harlem Ave       
Glenview, IL 60025       
Hours:  Tues-Sat 10am-5pm
Closed Sun and Mon
Phone: 847-901-5322


Sarah's Circle
4750 N. Sheridan Road
Suite 220
Chicago, IL 60640
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm
Phone: 773-728-1991 ext. 301

Though I mostly feature Chicago area non-profit organizations on Image of Humanity, I have been waiting to feature an organization that has been crucial in providing aid to those in Haiti and Chile.

Shelter Box instantly responds to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami or conflict by delivering boxes of aid.

Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and lifesaving equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. The contents are tailored depending on the nature and location of the disaster, with great care taken sourcing every item to ensure it is robust enough to be of lasting value.

Each box bears its own unique number so as a donor you can track your box all the way to its recipient country via the website.

Highly trained Shelter Box Response Teams distribute boxes on the ground, working closely with local organizations, international aid agencies and Rotary clubs worldwide.

Since its inception in 2000, Shelter Box has firmly established itself at the forefront of international disaster relief, providing emergency shelter for the people who need it most on every continent.

Shelter Box USA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

If you would like to learn more about Shelter Box and how you can help, please visit their website http://www.shelterboxusa.org

I reached out to the Cabrini Green Tutoring Program after the recent story I did with Doreen Ambrose Van-Lee.  I was curious to learn more about this program and whether or not many of the Cabrini Green residents are aware of this program. I emailed the Executive Director expressing my interest in raising awareness for the program. I paid a visit to the center this week and have posted my photos below to share.

The program is actually located in the St. Vincent De Paul Center and is available for children who have previously lived in the Cabrini Green area and who are currently living there.  Approximately 50% of the children currently are from the Cabrini Green area. The program is free for students however, the families do have to meet some financial requirements in order to qualify for the free services (live in Cabrini or other subsidized housing, receive free or reduced lunch, etc.)

What is the Cabrini-Green Tutoring Program?

The Cabrini-Green Tutoring Program in Chicago, provides after-school tutoring for over 200 students in grades one through six. Most of the students live in or around the Cabrini Green housing project or come from economically disadvantaged families. Tutoring sessions are held Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings from 6:10 pm to 7:30pm. Each student is paired with his/her own volunteer tutor. The program provides a safe, stable learning environment and individualized attention for the children.

If you know of anyone who may want to register their children in CGTP, please send them to one of our registration sites or give them our phone number. Please do not hesitate to contact Erin McPartlin at 312-397-9119 or visit their website at http://www.cabrinigreentutoring.org.

Every child counts...can they count on you?

Ok all you avid online shoppers...I know you're out there!  Now's your chance to do something GOOD with those online shopping skills!

Before you make that online purchase, set your default homepage to spendforgood.com

What is Spend For Good?

Spend For Good is a charitable, web-based service that enables consumers to make a difference every time they shop online -- at no additional cost. 

The site provides an easy way for consumers to support a 501(c)(3) of their choice through their everyday purchases.

It doesn't get much easier than that now does it?

I had the privilege to meet with the wonderful co-founder and managing director of Spend For Good, Cristal Mendlen.

Cristal has spent more than 15 years working in marketing communications for a wide range of corporations and nonprofit organizations, including The Walt Disney Company, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Leo Burnett and the AIDS Rides.

A few years ago, she decided to give back to the community by becoming an elementary school teacher in Chicago Public Schools and plans to continue supporting education through her work at Spend For Good. Cristal holds a master's in instructional leadership from the University of Illinois - Chicago and a bachelor's in journalism from the University of Missouri.

Jillian Balis a co-founder and advisor with Spend For Good also serves as the executive vice president/managing director of SMG Search. A business leader with 16 years experience in online marketing and analytics, she previously led e-marketing for Orbitz Worldwide, a leading online travel company. Jillian received her MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania. She currently resides in Chicago.

Jessica Balis is also a co-founder and advisor for Spend For Good.  Jessica is senior manager of customer retention at Shopbop.com, a premier online shopping boutique for the fashion-savvy female, where she manages the site's email marketing channel. Prior to Shopbop, she served in various online marketing and operations managerial roles for several leading websites, including Orbitz and OurHouse.com. Jessica received a BA in Sociology from Duke University and currently resides in Madison, WI.

Make SpendForGood.com your home page and do something good while you shop online.

Spend For Good. Everyday Purchases. Extraordinary Impact.

Wish Upon a Wedding was founded based on the concept that two people in love should never be denied the chance to marry their soul mate, even if they only have months (or weeks) to live.

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Wish Upon a Wedding's primary purpose is to serve as a charitable foundation. Dedicated to providing weddings and civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States, we grant one of the most profound moments in a couple's lifetime, the celebration of love. By bringing these ceremonies to individuals faced with terminal illnesses, we believe that other people facing similar situations will find their own sense of hope.

Founder and chief wedding officer Liz Guthrie first thought of the idea while she was
producing a large scale wedding giveaway in San Francisco valued at over $100,000.00. Over 350 couples entered to win, and she found herself wishing there was an opportunity to donate this to more than just one deserving couple. Stories of financial ruin due to overwhelming health care bills were prominent, and instilled in her a sense of urgency to do something positive.

To learn more about this wonderful organization please visit their website at