Better Makers: Breakthrough’s Annual Benefit Raises $900K to Build Opportunities in Garfield Park

Nearly 300 guests gathered at Walden for Breakthrough’s 2022 Annual Benefit on October 20 to celebrate the organization’s 30th anniversary. The event raised more than $900,000 for Breakthrough’s programming and resources.  The mission of Breakthrough — a 2022 Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award Winner — is to develop a safe and stable community within Garfield […]

Metropolitan Family Services 'Mpowers' Children, Families Across Skokie Valley Communities

Editor’s Note: Some names have been changed to protect identity. Daniel is 77 years old and lives alone at an independent senior apartment building. Though he is alert and oriented, his self-neglect manifested in his lack of housekeeping. As his living conditions deteriorated, the Adult Protective Services program at Metropolitan Family Services’ Skokie Valley Center […]

My Family’s Business Didn’t Survive the Big-Box Squeeze — Join Me in Supporting Those That Still Can

I grew up working in our family’s small chain of grocery stores in Indianapolis — appropriately named Richard’s Market Baskets, because my father was Richard Blankenbaker. My jobs included cashier, bagger, produce packager, stocker, fruit basket maker and eventually head night cashier. I even returned from college, work as a US Congressional Aide, and law school […]

Better Makers: Chicago International Film Festival Honors Filmmaking, Raises Nearly $35K for Cinema/Chicago

The Chicago International Film Festival celebrated its 58th year with a hybrid event running October 12- 23, 2022. The 12-day fest raised $34,818 for its presenting organization, Cinema/Chicago, a nonprofit enriching the community through year-round programming devoted to international and independent cinema.  As the longest-running competitive film festival in North America, the Chicago International Film […]

You Said It: The Holiday Season Can Be as Difficult as It Is Delightful — How to Give the Gift of Your Best Self This Year 

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” We can’t help wondering if Edward Pola and George Wyle, who wrote this famous Christmas tune — popularized by Andy Williams — meant for their lyrics to be sung with a touch of sarcasm. As much as we may want this time of year to be the hap-happiest season […]