Inclusion isn’t just being invited to the party — it’s being asked to dance. The metaphor is simple, but the message runs deep: real inclusion means making sure everyone feels seen, valued, and involved — not just present. And teaching that kind of inclusion starts early. Experts in child development, education, and disability advocacy agree: […]
Finally! Colorful produce as far as the eye can see, stalls full of fresh-cut flowers, and plenty of tasty treats from local vendors — the summer farmers market scene in Chicagoland is in full swing. Check out our list of great farmers markets throughout the city and North Shore — whether you’re shopping for groceries, […]
Chicago, nicknamed “The Second City,” is the Midwest’s undisputed number-one metropolitan golf mecca. It began in 1892 with the nation’s first 18-hole course, Chicago Golf Club, and continues 133 years later as more than 200 courses grace the Chicagoland area. More than two-thirds of those layouts are public, giving players a bevy of brilliant options […]
The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago proudly celebrated the 2025 class of heroes at the annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast on April 30. These individuals have gone above and beyond to build stronger, safer communities and have made a lasting impact through their selfless actions. The Heroes Breakfast was established to raise public awareness of local heroes […]
The town of Highland Park, a tight-knit community north of Chicago, has been grappling with the fallout of the July 4, 2022, mass shooting that turned a holiday parade into a scene of horror. Seven people were killed and nearly 50 others injured when a rooftop gunman opened fire with an AR-style rifle. Nearly three […]
In a time when many nonprofits are struggling to sustain year-over-year support — and donors seek more transparency about where their money goes — a small church just north of Chicago has quietly built a model of grassroots philanthropy that’s helped dozens of local organizations not just survive, but thrive. Kenilworth Union Church’s approach might […]
Loneliness isn’t just an emotion — it’s a growing public health crisis. A 2023 Gallup Poll found that one in four people around the world report significant loneliness, while another 27 percent say they feel at least a little lonely. And surprisingly, it’s not just older adults who are affected. The highest rates of loneliness […]
Schools should be places that nourish dreams, not destroy them. Yet, on April 16, 2007, the unimaginable happened once again. It was another school shooting, this time on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). The first shooting was in a dormitory, then two and a half hours later in classrooms […]
With cutbacks to federal government programs and layoffs of civil servants around the country, there’s been a lot of confusion about funding for wildfire prevention and mitigation under the new presidential administration. Yet, Santa Rosa, California resident Lynn Garric feels encouraged. “I’m a very hopeful, optimistic person,” she explains. “I’m the one who came back […]
As any teacher can attest, some of the best learning happens outside the classroom. But without a strong foundation of physical and emotional safety and health for students at home and in the broader community, lessons learned at school can only go so far. According to the CDC, research consistently shows a strong link between […]
