Can Mentorship Close America’s Graduation Gap?

When Antoine first met his Big Brother, Connor, through Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), their connection was effortless — forged over pickup basketball games, trampoline park outings, and shared plates of good food. What began as simple fun soon became something much more powerful: a steady source of guidance and belonging. After losing his older […]

Top 23 Women’s Boards Shaping Chicago Philanthropy

Chicago has long been one of the nation’s most philanthropic cities — residents give at rates nearly 50 percent higher than the U.S. average — and women have always been at the heart of that generosity. In a city where cultural giants, world-class hospitals, and top universities sit shoulder to shoulder, women’s boards have become […]

‘Alzheimer’s Changes Everything’: How Personal Battles Are Fueling the Fight to End the Disease

When Connie Lissner’s husband was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2020, her family’s world shifted in an instant. A retired attorney with no prior experience in caregiving, Connie quickly stepped into the role of full-time caregiver, determined to navigate the unknown path ahead. In search of support and answers, she turned to the Alzheimer’s […]

11 Fascinating Photos Revealing the Geography of Clean Energy

From Chile’s Atacama Desert to Japan’s floating solar farms and Texas wind corridors, photographer Jamey Stillings uses his Fujifilm GFX100 to capture the sweeping transformation of the world’s energy landscape. Through his multi-decade project, Changing Perspectives: Renewable Energy and the Shifting Human Landscape, Stillings shows how photography can be both a source of information and a […]

A Major Barrier Keeps Human Trafficking Survivors From Stability — This Organization Helps Break It

Escaping a trafficker is often seen as the finish line. In reality, it’s only the beginning.  According to the 2023 Polaris National Survivor Study, 43 percent of survivors earn less than $25,000 annually, compared to 26 percent of the general U.S. population. Survivors emerge from exploitation with no income, limited education, no savings, and often […]