On June 14, the Joffrey Ballet, a major grant partner of the Make It Better Foundation, celebrated the Chicago end to an incredible 68th season with its largest annual fundraising event, this year titled, Midsummer Celebration. It only seemed fitting to plan a gala event inspired by Alexander Ekman’s Swedish take on “A Midsummer Night’s […]
One of Africa’s most dire challenges in health and human services remains the number of orphaned children. A recent study published by African Union/African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child reported an estimated 35 million children in Africa have no parental care. In South Africa alone, nearly 210,000 children lost […]
More than 600 philanthropists, wildlife enthusiasts, and animal advocates gathered at Lincoln Park Zoo on July 12 for the 47th Annual Zoo Ball, hosted by the zoo’s Women’s Board. The “Wild Everest” theme raised $1.7 million, making it the highest-grossing Zoo Ball in the event’s history. The funds raised support Lincoln Park Zoo’s animal care, […]
Many teens find the transition from high school to college intimidating. From the possibility of leaving home to the endless choices of classes and career paths, graduating seniors face many stressors during this critical time. The After School Matters University (ASMU) program worked with over 80 ambitious teenagers this spring. They embarked on a journey […]
Across the United States, how long you live is determined by where you live. A person’s health is shaped by their environment, their ability to access nature, and the systems that support communities. In Lake County, IL, north of Chicago, often recognized for an abundance of nature, including Lake Michigan, forest preserves, parks, and grassroots-created […]
Finding the perfect Father’s Day gift might leave even the best shoppers scratching their heads. What do you get for the guy who has cornered the market on tools, grills, sports, or other hobbies? If you want to do something meaningful for Dad, Grandpa, or your favorite father figure who has it all, maybe it’s […]
I married a world-class father. In fact, Nick Noyes’ children from his first marriage — Henry, then 14, and Elizabeth, then 12 — played a huge role in our courtship. We laughed more and loved harder when Henry and/or Elizabeth were with us. So I knew he would be a good dad to our kids […]
One out of every eight people live with a mental health disorder. Many of them cannot receive the care they need due to the shortage of mental health providers. In Illinois, there are only 13.8 behavioral health care providers for every 10,000 residents; this means 4.8 million Illinois residents live in a mental health shortage […]
On May 8, The Family Institute at Northwestern University honored former Chicago Cub and 2016 World Series MVP Ben Zobrist with the Mental Health Community Impact Award at the 2024 Gratitude Gala. Now in its second year, the gala was held at Galleria Marchetti in the River West area of Chicago. The Family Institute at […]
Ready to get organized and rid your home of the clutter? Whether you’re cleaning out your closet or bookshelf or updating your furniture, don’t just toss those items — donate them and make a difference to one of the many local organizations in need. Here’s our guide to where to donate throughout the North Shore […]
