The question “How do your parents support organizations or causes?” was posed to children ages 17 and under in a 2010 survey by The Mint. Nearly 65 percent of the participants answered, “I don’t know.” Don’t let your children fall into that 65 percent. With the holidays and New Year approaching, you will be spending […]
It’s impossible to sit across the table from Robert Baittie and not feel hopeful. He radiates a positivity that’s contagious. His is not a shallow perkiness, but rather the deep comfort and calm of a truly content person. A sunny disposition is easy to maintain when things are good, but a truer measure of character […]
Many people have goals to see the world and also to make a difference by helping others. Projects Abroad is making it possible for participants to do both at the same time. What started as a small organization founded in the United Kingdom two decades ago to help university students find opportunities has grown dramatically […]
Take a moment to try this exercise: Sit back in your chair, slouch and let your legs splay out. Notice what you feel in your legs—the dullness, the lack of crispness. Now sit up straight, press gently down through your buttock-bones and heels, and lift your chest. Notice the change in sensation—in how, what and […]
Gumdrop roofs, pretzel decor and graham cracker fences galore! There was a whole lot of sweetness at the gingerbread house-building contest held by A. Perry Homes and Make It Better on Dec. 6—and it wasn’t just the candy. Children frosted, dotted and decked out their mouth-watering masterpieces in efforts to build the prize-winning house. The […]
Over 35 percent of young adults with autism have not held a paying job nor enrolled in college after leaving high school, according to a 2012 national study conducted by Dr. Paul Shattuck. Have Dreams, a local autism resource organization with locations in Evanston and Park Ridge, is working to change those statistics. The organization […]
Your holiday to-do list seems never-ending. But, all it takes is a few minutes at your computer (or perhaps one afternoon with your kids) to make the holiday season much brighter for your neighbors in need. Here are three of the simplest ways you can make a difference this month. 1. Fulfill a Hospitalized Child’s […]
After our national holiday for giving thanks comes a global day to celebrate giving back: #GivingTuesday. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, families, communities and more than 10,000 organizations across the world will come together to give. This day isn’t just about giving checks to charity, although you can do that too. The movement’s 2014 video tells […]
A cross-section of Chicago civic leaders are so determined to restore arts education to all Chicago Public Schools that they launched “Be Creative: The Campaign for Creative Schools” through the nonprofit Ingenuity. This $38 million campaign aims to put arts education back into every CPS classroom—kindergarten through 12th grade—within the next four years. Chairing the initiative are […]
Calling all knitter circles, quilting bees, elementary schools and community centers! Please join Make It Better Foundation and help give handmade or newly purchased blankets, hats, coats, gloves and scarves to more than 1,000 men, women and children this winter season. Each year around the holidays, Make It Better Foundation and its partner nonprofits give […]
