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 […]
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 […]
As the holidays get underway, many of us look for ways to make someone else’s season brighter. And there’s science behind why that makes us feel so good. Research shows that acts of generosity — from gift giving to financial support — increase happiness more than spending on ourselves. At Better, we’re dedicated to simplifying […]
As the prolonged government shutdown continues, 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are now at risk of losing benefits Nov. 1 — a disruption that could mark the country’s worst hunger crisis in nearly a century. “If the SNAP program shuts down,” Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, […]
The United States spends more on health care than any other developed nation, yet millions still struggle to access timely, effective treatment. One promising reform gaining traction among policymakers and researchers is integrated care, an approach that unites physical, behavioral, and social health services to treat the whole person rather than isolated symptoms. Health policy experts […]
As momentum builds around Chicago’s Cultural Stadium concept, much of the focus so far has been on its potential to drive economic growth. Originally introduced by Broadway In Chicago CEO Lou Raizin, the Cultural Stadium is a visionary framework for reimagining the city’s cultural, civic, and recreational assets — from museums and theaters to parks […]
In moments of crisis, healing often begins with something simple: a warm meal, a quiet space, the sense that someone sees you. For those navigating homelessness, trauma, or identity-based marginalization, even these basic comforts are often out of reach. But when they are made available — intentionally, consistently, and with care — they can be […]
What if we rejected the messaging that has permeated our country and our schools: that the arts are a luxury for only the well-to-do, something to cut when budgets need to be balanced, creativity a skill meant for only those who can pay at the door? How would we see ourselves and the thousands of […]
To many, urban planning feels like a mystery — something happening in the background until one day you wake up and that vacant corner lot is suddenly a coffee shop. As an architect working in city planning for most of my career, I know how these decisions get made. For the average resident in a […]
In West Garfield Park, a square-mile Chicago neighborhood that has seen nearly 1,000 shootings throughout the past five years — roughly one every other day — young people live in a constant state of fear. They watch over their shoulders, wary not only of those called to protect and serve but also of each other. […]
