Since its founding in 1857 as The Chicago Relief Aid Society, Metropolitan Family Services has become a cornerstone of support for families across Chicago, offering vital resources that empower individuals to overcome life’s greatest challenges. Whether helping a single mother access childcare while she pursues a college degree or guiding a family through the legal […]
What gives your life meaning? It’s a question our brains are naturally programmed to explore. Recent studies have revealed strong connections between spirituality and health, both rooted in how we find purpose in our lives. Interestingly, much of this research began with the goal of understanding the rising prevalence of depression and anxiety in our […]
Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene roared through parts of the US Southeast, Hurricane Milton roared onto Florida’s west coast around 8:30 p.m., Oct. 9 as a Category 3 storm. It then moved across the state throughout the early morning hours bringing high winds and incessant rain. As of Oct. 10, millions of Floridians […]
Access to fresh and healthy food is a basic human need and essential for a healthy lifestyle. However, this basic need is not easily met for many residents of Altgeld Gardens and, specifically, the Phillip Murray Homes community on the far south side of Chicago. Recognized as one of the lowest-income neighborhoods in Chicago, Altgeld […]
Hurricane Helene carved a path of destruction across nearly 500 miles of the U.S. Southeast. The storm first hit landfall on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 storm. Despite weakening as it moved inland, Helene’s impact reached at least 800 miles into Tennessee and North Carolina. Early estimates show at least 130 people dead, more […]
The US Centers for Disease Control reports a significant rise in adolescent mental health concerns over the past five years. Even before the shutdown due to COVID-19, the number of teenagers reporting depression symptoms was on the rise. Since 2019, there has been a considerable spike in sadness and hopelessness among adolescents—from 31% of teens […]
Each July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month, commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. The ADA has become the cornerstone legislation that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public housing, transportation, and other areas. It has been a crucial tool for holding ourselves accountable and creating […]
Across the United States, how long you live is determined by where you live. A person’s health is shaped by their environment, their ability to access nature, and the systems that support communities. In Lake County, IL, north of Chicago, often recognized for an abundance of nature, including Lake Michigan, forest preserves, parks, and grassroots-created […]
I married a world-class father. In fact, Nick Noyes’ children from his first marriage — Henry, then 14, and Elizabeth, then 12 — played a huge role in our courtship. We laughed more and loved harder when Henry and/or Elizabeth were with us. So I knew he would be a good dad to our kids […]
In 2020, President Donald Trump signed an executive order revoking all federal government diversity, education, and inclusion (DEI) training. While several lawsuits followed that order, and President Joe Biden has since reversed the ban on DEI training, federal government agencies, businesses, and nonprofits that contract with the federal government already felt the impact from the […]
