“What does it really mean to be kind anyway?” This question was part of a read aloud from the book Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller during Creating a Compassionate Community Day (C3 Day) at J.T. Manning Elementary School February 5,2020. In the book when a classmate; Tanisha, felt embarrassed the author’s voice asks us this […]
February 12, 2020
Friends came together to celebrate the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Ibtisam’s Tailor Shop in Lombard. As many small business openings there is a long story of the dreams, passion, and hard work that have lead up to and will; God willing, continue to sustain this business. Ibtisam Younis came to the U.S. in […]
January 12, 2020
“I’ve always believed that education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to help the world,” Bilel Dekhili is a talented and passionate leader who believes that education will change the future. He has built his company Engineering DN@ from the ground up and loves helpings children learn through a stimulating play focused environment. “Teaching […]
December 20, 2019
Nazish welcomes me to her apartment with a kind smile, a quiet voice, and welcoming hospitality. Within minutes we are talking about things that really matter in life; culture, education, faith, politics, trauma, and family. Her reserved and calm demeanor remains even as she shares deeply personal stories from her life and it is clear that her wisdom […]
December 4, 2019
Styles for Kidz hosted their annual Gala Making a Difference ’19 on Saturday November 2nd in Oak Park. There were more guests this year than any previous year as the organization celebrated so much this year; more hair care workshops, a new salon location that is constantly busy, more families and children served, & nationwide […]
November 12, 2019
When you enter Ms. Afre’s 4th grade Dual Language classroom it is abuzz with activity. There is discussion, concentration, quiet reading, sharing, reflection, and- because they are kids- occasional giggling. Students are at stations working on reading, analyzing text, and answering each other’s questions as well as her animated questions in Spanish. One student listens […]
November 4, 2019
When I first spoke with Rita Romero, the founder of Cardenas Institute her passion and knowledge spilled forth from her. Her gifts and passion connect with deep needs in our world and it is clear she is exactly where she needs to be. She shared some of personal story including her life in Peru informing her deep […]
October 23, 2019
Students from the Westmont Junior High School & Westmont High School along with the principal of WJHS Mr. Jonak and staff of CUSD 201 Ms. Bartosz, & Ms. Hillertz traveled to UIC Chicago to share an educational session entitled “Serving Your Way to Resiliency” at the 2019 Conversations Summit hosted by Hope for the Day. They students […]
September 24, 2019
On a recent trip to NYC I explored and tried to document our trip with some street photography. Street photography has always fascinated me; the idea of capturing exactly what is present around you and thus becoming more aware of your surroundings by documenting it. I am not at all confident in this style but I […]
August 26, 2019
