find your cause

In Chicago, 197,524 children (1 out of every 3) live in low-income or homeless situations. In this episode we interview Shoshana Buchholz-Miller, Executive Director at Cradles to Crayons. Cradles to Crayons is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia on a mission to provide children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the es...

In this episode we do a check-in (in a live cooking show format!) with Sebastian White, Founder of The Evolved Network. The Evolved Network is a newer non-profit organization that has come a long way since we interviewed them in Episode 20 so we had to do a check-in! The Evolved Network is on a mission to provide unconditional care through a holistic and therapeutic approach that functions to buil...

“I wanted to do something now” to have a larger impact and support historically disinvested communities in Chicago. In this episode we hear from Walmer Saavedra, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Human Scale. Human Scale is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to design and build functional, beautiful, and meaningful public spaces in historically disinvested neighborhoods across Chic...

“And it gives us hope that this place is a place of healing.” In this episode we hear from Cordia Pugh, executive director of Hermitage Street Community Gardens (HSCG). HSCG provides education, helping build the community with healthy living in urban agriculture giving old and young alike the chance to get their hands in the soil and enjoy nature in the community. HSCG is a part of her broader 501...

Give me four courts and I’ll clear the streets. In this episode, we speak with Detective Matt Thornton of My Father’s Business (MFB). MFB is a non-profit that welcomes at-risk youth within their community to play basketball and eat. Every Friday night MFB provides a safe and open place to engage in conversations, provide mentorships, and offer different networking opportunities “planting seeds in...

According to a study in 2015, Islam has 1.8 billion adherents, making up about 24.1% of the world population and yet there are still Muslim-American youth living through a racist narrative. In this episode, we speak with Ahmed Flex Omar, Co-Founder and CXO of Muslim American Leadership Alliance (MALA). MALA was founded in 2015 to educate Muslim-American youth on culture, heritage, and identity thr...

Chicago Scholars is an organization seeking to highlight talent regardless of the student’s high school or neighborhood. In this episode we hear how Jeff Beckham, the newly appointed CEO of Chicago Scholars, operates as the largest college access and success program in Chicago serving more than 3,000 Scholars and Alumni each year in their seven-year college access and success mentoring and career...

Asia on Argyle is a diverse and vibrant neighborhood in Chicago’s Uptown that is home to dozens of ethnic restaurants, shops, and hidden treasures. With the recent concerns from the pandemic and a worrying trend of anti-Asian rhetoric, Nuky Pham, Hac Tran and their friends Sany Nguyen, Hoan Huynh, and Trang Truong-Hill felt compelled to start a community initiative in Celebrate Argyle to help shin...

Veteran unemployment rates can be 50% higher than the national average. In this episode we hear from Greg Drobny – Student Outreach Coordinator from Code Platoon. Code Platoon is a non-profit computer code academy geared toward helping veterans and their spouses gain valuable coding skills that they can turn into a career! How can you help? Share – If you know of a veteran/spouse needing training...

In Chicago, 25,000 women are trafficked annually, equaling 2 women every hour, every day. In this episode, we hear Dr. Izabel Olson, Founder of Salt and Light Coalition discuss how her organization is mobilizing individuals and organizations to empower survivors of trafficking to live meaningful and purposeful lives. How to help can you help? Yoga class teachers – Visit website, and volunteer to t...

Helping to provide a community retreat through arts for children in a refugee camp in Bethlehem, Palestine, in this episode we hear from founder Abdelfattah Abusrour of Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society. Abdelfattah discusses how during the Covid19 pandemic their organization delivered over 11,500 meals to families in need, and provide much needed resources for Theater Programs, Education, and Wo...

Helping to provide Chicago’s underserved communities with access to children’s books. In this episode we hear from Darrin Utynek CEO of Bernie’s Book Bank, as he discusses how you can get involved with helping Chicago families. 1 book for every 300 children in low-income neighborhoods 61% of homes do not have childrens books 2/3 students who cannot read proficiently by the end of the 4th grade wil...

For kids in sports, there is a growing list of expensive equipment, team fees, or lack of access that prevent them from even participating. In this episode we hear from Jason Schmitz (President and Co-Founder) and Jasmine Hodari (Co-Founder and Executive Director) of All Kids Play, an organization that works to insure any kid can enjoy the “fun of sport without worrying about financial roadblocks”...

In 2017, there were 16,588 homeless youth between the ages of 14-24, and now with Covid-19 those numbers could be even higher. In this episode we hear from Fred Niche, Executive Director at Stand Up for Kids and how their volunteers and staff empower homeless and at-risk youth toward lifelong personal growth, and to create in these youth a sincere belief in themselves through open, straightforward...

Not all girls have the same opportunity to play sports, but one organization has been working to change that. In this episode we hear from Beth Tumiel, Programs Director for Girls in the Game discuss how sports can help enable every athlete to find her voice, discover her strength, and lead with confidence now more than ever! Girls in the Game has over 50,000 girls participating in their sports pr...

15 million babies are born premature every year and many families are not always prepared. In this episode we hear from Dan Friend, Co-founder and CEO of Rae Strong Foundation and their effort to provide awareness, emotional support, and funding for families faced with caring for preemies. Dan also discusses his own family story, and caring for his daughter Rae! Want to get engaged? Website: https...

1 in 54 kids in the US are born with Autism, and many families struggle to find resources that meet the needs of their kids. In this episode we hear from Dr. Carly Lapin, Director of Clinical Outreach at The Place For Children with Autism, and how they help provide a full-time ABA program in a pre-school like setting. With 10 locations throughout Chicago, they also guide families to potential Gran...

Due to Covid, 1 in 5 homes in Chicago don’t have access to broadband internet. On some blocks, it can be 1 in 2 houses disconnected. In this episode we hear from Daniel Anello, CEO of Kids First Chicago, who was able to champion the $50M initiative ‘Chicago Connect’ which brought broadband to 35,000 students in need, and work with parents and school districts to shape education policy to better su...

14% of professionals in the engineering industry are women. 5% are women of color...In this episode we hear from Jackie Lomax, Founder/Executive Director of Girls4Science. They are a non profit focusing on developing skills, self-esteem, and building relationships for young girls in the Chicago community. She discusses how important it is for community involvement in the development of more future...

Ever wonder what HH Richardson, Louis Sullivan, and Frank Lloyd Wright all have in common? Besides being recognized as the “trinity of American architecture” they also share Preservation Chicago. In this episode we hear from Ward Miller, Executive Director and Co-founder of Preservation Chicago. Founded in 2001, this organization has remained committed to preserving, promoting, and protecting hist...

Working to create a World where all youth have an equal opportunity for recreation, fitness, and friendship, in this episode, we hear from Laura Fillenwarth, Executive Director and Amy Bosko, Program Coordinator at Keen Chicago. Serving over 150 Athletes and with 600 volunteers, they discuss how important it is to provide a space for young athletes with disabilities to connect with each other and...

With over a BILLION people globally who do not have access to light, many have to rely on dangerous and costly kerosine lanterns to survive. In this episode we hear from Christie Dunne, Director of Operations at Watts of Love, as she discusses how her organization, through global partnerships, are able to shine a light of hope and opportunity for recipients that typically get the least help. Want...

With a growing trend in Urban Farming, Chicago’s south side has an organization helping youth grow their skills. Hear how Sebastian White, Founder of The Evolved Network, discusses how he is helping youth build skills from gardening, farming, kitchen, to services. Want to get involved? Email: sebastianevolved@gmail.com Website: theevolvednetwork.com Phone: (214) 448-4382 Facebook: https://www.face...

In Season 2, Episode 9 we hear from Angelina Nordstrom (they/them), Emmy Gibbie (she/her), and Roni Lee (she/her) of LGBTQ Workers Center (Chicago Chapter) discuss their experiences of workplace discrimination and how they are supporting others experiencing it while fighting to end it. The National LGBTQ Workers Center is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer organization where workers can go...

In Season 2, Episode 8 we hear Ashley Jones, Jennifer Jones, and Matt Beresh, Co-Founders and Directors of There Really Is A Santa Claus discuss how they have been serving Chicago communities by making Christmas a reality for families who need it. Over the past six years, There Really Is A Santa Claus has purchased $250,000 worth of gifts for 250 families and 1,250 individuals, through its network...