We know it isn’t real. We know that the “person” on the other end of the screen doesn’t have feelings, a body, or a past. And yet, we talk to it, confide in it, even fall for it. Artificial intelligence has entered our emotional lives quietly but decisively. Apps and AI chatbots now listen, flirt, […]
Dr. Mojgan Makki, Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with Psychiatry Studio in Chicago, was treating an adolescent patient with ADHD. The patient experienced serious side effects from the oral medication, requiring Dr. Makki to pursue the next clinically appropriate plan: a transdermal patch for ADHD treatment. “Time was of the essence,” says Dr. Makki. […]
Across the United States, researchers are examining the impact of a quiet but consequential shift in adolescence: young people have fewer opportunities to contribute meaningfully to their communities through volunteering — particularly structured youth service. Packed schedules and constant adult oversight can crowd out experiences where youth take on real responsibility and see the tangible social […]
Alzheimer’s, one of the most common forms of dementia, affects more than 6.9 million Americans. It’s a complex and debilitating condition, but for millions of families, Alzheimer’s disease does not arrive as a surprise. It is a genetic condition that researchers can now predict through genetic testing. A simple genetic test can reveal whether someone […]
Dion is a mother of four residing in the South Side of Chicago. Like many families with young children from the city’s south and west sides, Dion wants to set her kids up for success. And through Educare Chicago, Dion finally found a safe and welcoming environment, income-based tuition that expands educational opportunities, and deep […]
When sharing wealth we generated in our own lifetimes, some of us just follow our hearts. That could mean simply responding to requests; hosting a table at the gala, raising the paddle at the auction. But when pondering what we will leave behind for future generations — in terms of both legacy and financial inheritance […]
Destiny, 23, is a recent Northwestern University graduate embarking on a career in civil engineering. Like many young adults, she’d like to make a difference in her community. So she signed up as a mentor with Horizons for Youth, a Chicago organization that has worked for more than 30 years to support students through targeted […]
The best leadership lessons rarely come from classrooms or corporate playbooks; they come from people who live them every day — leaders who elevate others and approach their work with a sense of purpose that’s both personal and practical. Three women who embody that approach — Michelle Sybil Melendez, Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships at […]
It’s been 14 years since George Eddy died as an infant. Reflecting on his son’s life still brings his father, Sean, to tears. “Our son George was born with a complex medical situation,” he recalls. “We were told he would be with us for maybe a matter of hours or days. Remarkably, he lived for […]
With JOY, GRATITUDE, and HOPE, we introduce the 2026 Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Awards Winners and celebrate the remarkable work they do every day to strengthen families, empower communities, and create lasting change. Rigorously vetted by our panel of experts, these 43 nonprofits set the highest standards of excellence, leadership, scalability, and impact. Our […]
Breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s research are giving patients and families new hope through earlier detection, faster diagnosis, and treatments that slow the disease’s progression. These advances are the result of a sustained team effort among scientists, healthcare providers, advocacy organizations, and high-profile champions from Princess Yasmin Aga Khan to Julianne Moore — all working toward a shared goal […]
Trusted community connections and measurable social impact were on display during a recent American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program (CAP) tour in Monterey County, California, where seven- and eight-figure donations demonstrated how strategic philanthropic investment can strengthen communities long before disasters occur. Enabled by donors who operate as angel investors — also described as venture […]
As demand for basic assistance rises and public funding becomes less predictable, nonprofits providing essential services are filling the gaps. That was the clear message from leaders of four of Chicago’s largest social-service organizations at a panel hosted by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Their conversation reflected a broader reality playing out across […]
