Since its founding in 1857 as The Chicago Relief Aid Society, Metropolitan Family Services has become a cornerstone of support for families across Chicago, offering vital resources that empower individuals to overcome life’s greatest challenges. Whether helping a single mother access childcare while she pursues a college degree or guiding a family through the legal […]
Research has shown that social connectedness can improve physical health and emotional well-being, and even increased life span. The Volunteer Center provides a path to making such connections and fostering positive emotion through volunteering. Here’s how. Volunteering enhances well being It is a scientifically accepted premise that contributing time and effort to a cause greater than oneself […]
When I was diagnosed with gray zone lymphoma at 29 years old, I craved connection and missed my body’s ability to move the way it did before diagnosis. So, I focused on what I could do, and I could still do The Twist. Wanting to connect with and be seen by others, I uploaded a […]
On May 18, Marillac St. Vincent Family Services (MSV) held their annual Lumiere Gala, formerly Fleur de Lis, which celebrated the 400th anniversary of St. Louise de Marillac’s — known as “Lumiere” or “vision of light” — pursuit to be in service to others. Her mission and initial efforts manifested into the Daughters of Charity […]
Over the past few years, American cities have experienced an alarming increase in murders, reaching levels unseen in the past five decades. This rise in gun violence has disproportionately affected communities of color, exacerbating existing public safety disparities. In some neighborhoods, the progress made in reducing gun violence since the 1990s has been completely erased. […]
The Heroes Breakfast is hosted annually by the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago to honor individuals and groups for acts of immense bravery, dedication and service to our community. The class of 2023 Red Cross Heroes is an exemplary group of individuals who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to build better communities, […]
February is all about sharing the love, and we asked you to tell us about those in your community that go above and beyond for others. We are thrilled to spotlight the following individuals for their kind hearts and selfless efforts to make the world a better place and bring joy to others. Kate Polgar […]
As part of our “You Said It” Op-Ed series, we invite contributors to submit their opinion pieces. Have a submission? Contact us. Since the pandemic started in 2020, I’ve been part of community love that involves more than 1,800 people and has nothing to do with Valentine’s Day. It’s a love among neighbors in a local […]
No one should have to endure what Nancy Rothstein and her family did — the death of a beloved child. But, every person who does can find comfort, inspiration and courage in her story. Rothstein’s vibrantly alive, 15 ½-year-old son Josh — then a sophomore at Lake Forest Academy in Chicago’s bucolic North Shore — was on a […]
Whether we recognize it or not, it takes a lot of resources to muddle through another Chicago winter. Between heating our homes and clothing and feeding our families, the costs can start to add up. For many Chicagoans, this seasonal demand is out of reach. A whopping 23.2% of Chicagoland children are living in poverty […]
