The following piece was submitted by a reader and does not represent the views of Make It Better. As a psychotherapist, I consider empathy to be an important tool for healing. In clinical supervision I often tell the true story of a woman in New York City, 1985. Briget Gerney, after leaving Bloomingdale’s, was pinned […]
By the time I was 9 years old I knew I wasn’t like the other children — I was fat. I can vividly recall a time in my life where I was visible to my family, but invisible to the outside world. People would walk right past me like I was a fading reflection. Adults […]
“We can do so many things when we are organized,” says Nasir Bin Zakaria, reflecting on what he has achieved in Chicago by creating a community space for Rohingya refugees for learning, healing, and advocating. The Rohingya are a stateless Muslim minority in Myanmar. As a young Rohingya child growing up in Myanmar, Bin Zakaria […]
One thing active Chicagoans love about our far-too-short warm weather season is that it’s finally time to take that workout outside. Whether that means training intensely for a marathon or simply walking around the block for a breath of fresh air, it’s the perfect time to start pounding the pavement. Need some extra motivation? Run […]
“To be able to disagree with respect is a skill that we’ve all lost,” Andrea Zopp told attendees at the seventh annual Make Room for Debate Luncheon, which celebrated 20 years of partnership between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Debate League and Chicago Debate Commission. Zopp, president and CEO of World Business Chicago, and recently named one of Make It […]
In a city as vibrant as Chicago, making everyday decisions — where to order dinner, get a haircut, push your kids on the swings — can feel downright dizzying. Enter our (eighth annual!) Best Of awards: You shared your favorite spaces and places, we tallied the votes, and together we’ll celebrate all that makes our […]
Embed from Getty Images The recent Trump administration policy that has separated immigrant children from their families at the border is a humanitarian crisis that has rightfully faced global opposition, including from all five living First Ladies. As of yesterday afternoon, President Trump signed an executive order to stop the policy, but the more than […]
Authentic human interaction leads to lasting change. In a time of digital disruption, the power of human connection is key to upward mobility within our communities. Chicago Cares provides a platform for individuals to volunteer side-by-side with neighboring community members. The organization’s model focuses on place-based volunteer service with 200 volunteer projects open to the […]
As a 41-year veteran firefighter, Michael Casagrande has faced more than 2,000 fires. A Kankakee Fire Department captain, Casagrande is experienced in putting out fires, but knows that fighting fires before they happen is the ultimate battle. Casagrande, who leads the Fire Prevention Division for the City of Kankakee, is dedicated to fire prevention and […]
Updated June 6, 2018. There are so many reasons to go for a run. It’s a surefire way to improve your overall fitness — quickly burning large amounts of calories, increasing your endurance, and boosting your heart health. It’s also incredibly efficient and cost-effective since it requires very minimal equipment, unlike other forms of exercise. […]
