5 Lessons From Paul Nicklen’s New Book 'A Photography Masterclass' — On Creativity, Conservation, and Storytelling That Drives Change

One of the world’s leading ocean conservationists and award-winning nature photographers, Paul Nicklen has spent more than three decades documenting both the beauty of the natural world and the accelerating impact of climate change. Trained as a marine biologist and shaped by decades of fieldwork, Nicklen — a National Geographic contributor for more than 20 […]

Immigration Raids Disrupted a ‘House on Mango Street’ Event — and Sparked a New Way to Reach Students

In Chicago’s Little Village — often called the “Mexico of the Midwest” for its vibrant Mexican-American culture — a neighborhood school was preparing to host a community event connected to The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros’ iconic coming-of-age story about growing up between cultures on Chicago’s West Side. The event was meant to be […]

Alzheimer's Association Raises a Record-Breaking $640,000

This month, the Alzheimer’s Association — a 2026 Philanthropy Award winner — raised a record-breaking $640,000 with support from Make It Better! The Power of Purple: A Reason to Hope Luncheon took place in Chicago earlier this month, raising funds for Alzheimer’s and dementia care, support, and research. Make It Better staff were honored to […]

5 Ways to Help Kids Feel Safe When Violence Feels Close

Over the last few months, it feels as if our country has repeatedly experienced the kind of public, unpredictable brutality that collapses time. From bombings to school shootings to federal agents killing civilians, current events are forcing many families to absorb the psychological weight of violence that feels both distant and alarmingly close. For parents and guardians, this comes with […]