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
I walked into New Life Interim Housing on a frigid February day to warm smiles and kids running around greeting their Moms and friends after they arrived home from school. The families and people I met at New Life defy their current circumstances with amazing grit & hope. New Life is a safe haven and chance for […]
August 13, 2019
Yvette has been at the Jonquil since last August and the night she got the call from Karen (the manager of the property for Good News Partners) she was sleeping in a park and in her words “out of options.” She met Karen the next morning and moved in. Her gorgeous pink scarf framed her regal and […]
August 1, 2019
