Pre-Surgery Anxiety in Kids Can Slow Recovery and Cause Trauma — This Nonprofit Has a Digital Solution

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 […]

Sankofa Wellness Village: A Community-Driven Vision for Health Equity and a Thriving West Garfield Park

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 […]

What Happens to Wine Country’s Empty Bottles? This Recycling Program Turns Waste Into Green Job Training

As sustainability efforts expand across the country, a growing number of initiatives are rethinking how packaging waste is handled in industries like wine and spirits — from glass bottles to shipping boxes and plastic wrap. In Northern California, one program is offering a practical, scalable model that reduces landfill waste while building green career skills […]

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles Honored at 2025 Gratitude Gala for Mental Health Advocacy

On May 7, nearly 200 guests gathered at Galleria Marchetti in Chicago’s River West neighborhood for The Family Institute at Northwestern University‘s third annual Gratitude Gala. Hosted by The Family Institute’s Board of Directors, the event raised nearly $260,000 to support the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic, which provides no-cost behavioral health services […]

The Open Canopy: How One Journalist’s Journey Is Connecting Students Around the World

We often speak of our world’s vastness — a place of countless cultures, languages, and lived experiences. We emphasize the importance of cross-cultural understanding, of listening and learning from others. But too often, these ideals remain abstract. Now, imagine a way for young people around the world to connect directly — to share their thoughts, […]