Lisandra Lao, and How She’s Inspiring the Next Generation of Young Philanthropists
For 30 years, The Chicago Community Trust’s Young Leaders Fund (YLF) has empowered young adults to actively participate in philanthropy by interacting with…
Stories
Spotlights on community issues, the people, and the organizations who contribute to effective philanthropy as well as a stronger Chicago region and world.
Recent Stories
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Laying the Groundwork for Lasting Policy Reform
When the Trust decided to integrate policy change into our strategies, we did so recognizing that to achieve our mission of a thriving…
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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 24: Sustaining Chicago's Cultural Ecosystem
Chicago is one of the most influential cultural cities in the United States, known for its distinctive blend of architecture, visual arts, music,…
All Stories
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For Teens in Crisis, Help Starts with a Text
When Nancy Lublin finished a recent talk at Chicago Ideas Week about Crisis Text Line, the national help line she founded, a young man walked…
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Teens with Down Syndrome Find their Voice—On Stage
The young performers in a new play, What You Will, were having a wonderful time at rehearsal one recent Friday evening at the Menomonee Club’s…
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Lake County Responds to Rising Poverty, Aging Population
How do suburban counties respond to climbing poverty rates that have begun to surpass those of the nearby cities? How can human services providers best…
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Youth Mentor Networks Stop the ‘Revolving Door of Adults’
Fifteen years ago Bill Curry came to Chicago with one goal in mind: to work with young people. Unfortunately, the school he moved here to…
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Blazing a ‘Trail of Dreams’ for Undocumented Youth
Immigration-reform activist Maria Gabriela “Gaby” Pacheco says she has never been afraid of speaking out. Even though she lacks documents, she lives as if she…
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Diversity Gap Widens in Chicago’s Financial Sector
Workforce diversity is a significant challenge for the American financial services industry—especially in the Chicago region, where representation of African-Americans and Latinos has remained stagnant…
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For Low-Wage Workers, a Vision of Dignity and Power
On December 4, Latino Union celebrates 15 years of empowering low-income immigrant and U.S.-born workers around Chicago. Latino Union helps hundreds of day laborers and…
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Red Shoes Kickstart Conversation about Women and HIV
Lovette ‘Luvvie’ Ajayi and Karyn Brianne Lee are marketing and social media mavens. Ajayi is a digital strategist, public speaker and high-profile blogger, while Lee…
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A Trailblazing Pianist on Loving Jazz and Living with HIV
Award-winning pianist Fred Hersch and his trio made their Chicago Jazz Festival debut in 2015 on the Pritzker Pavilion stage, with what the Chicago Tribune…
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A Student Warrior Whose Purpose is Peace
At North Lawndale College Prep, Monay Jordan is a senior. She’s an A/P chemistry student. And she’s a Peace Warrior. In this violence prevention program,…
