“There is a vast difference between knowing the right thing to do and actually doing the right thing,” Nobel-winning economist Thomas Schelling once said. The evidence is unequivocal: early childhood education is one of the most impactful investments a society can make. Ninety percent of brain development occurs before the age of five, and decades of […]
I remember one of the first birds I ever worked with. His name was Saki, and he was a Bali myna. He would greet me every morning by saying “Hello, Saki” and “Hi.” I was so intrigued that I set out to learn more about the species. What I learned was disheartening. At that time, […]
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 […]
Access to nutritious food is one of the most basic and important human rights. Yet, more than 700 million people faced hunger in 2023. A staggering 35 percent of the global population, equivalent to 2.8 billion people, experience “hidden hunger,” which is more than restricted access to food, but the lack of adequate nutrition. Many […]
What began as a one-day event for car enthusiasts has evolved into something more enduring — and instructive — for those interested in local philanthropy, strategic giving, and the long-term stewardship of wealth and values. Clearwater Capital Foundation’s 5th Annual Charity Supercar Show, held June 21 at the firm’s Hoffman Estates headquarters, brought together more […]
What does a domestic violence victim look like? They look like your neighbor, your co-worker, or even a close family member. They look like Elena. Elena, a mother of two young children and an undocumented immigrant, is a domestic violence victim. She has lived with David, the father of her children, for nine years. After […]
More than 5 million children undergo surgery every year. A majority of pediatric patients experience what child life specialists call “Frozen Fear”, intense preoperative anxiety that can persist through sedation. This response can spike cortisol levels, lengthen recovery time, and even cause long-term trauma. A study published in the Journal of Child Life confirmed that […]
In the heart of West Garfield Park, where residents face one of Chicago’s starkest life expectancy gaps, a transformative vision is taking shape. The Sankofa Wellness Village represents more than just new construction — it embodies a community’s determination to rewrite its narrative and reclaim its future. Confronting the Statistics The numbers paint a sobering […]
As a child growing up in New York City, I could always find escape and comfort in books. I didn’t know it then, but those stories would become my compass, guiding me through adversity, identity, and inequality. Today, as the founder of Read It and Leave It, I work to offer that same compass to […]
Growing up in the Bay Area, I was extremely shy, but I found my voice behind the lens of a camera. I spent hours creating imaginary worlds and chasing stories that felt larger than life. By the time I was 18, my films about mental health, identity, and teen issues had premiered at top film […]
