2025 Illinois General Assembly Recap
I came to The Chicago Community Trust in March after spending years as chief of staff to Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy. I…
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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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 19: Confronting Homeownership Barriers
While homeownership is often viewed as a pathway to building wealth, a range of challenges can hinder its effectiveness, particularly for specific groups.…
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Transforming the College Transfer Experience
In the Spring of 2006, my mother and I walked into a meeting with a public state university admissions counselor to discuss my…
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A Mom Stands Up to Violence - Through an App Contest
Want to feel safe again in your community? There’s an app for that. [pullquote]To combat neighborhood violence, Washington Park mom learns to build an app.…
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Think Good, It's Friday! 8.28.15
We often talk about the positive impact of doing good. This article in the Chicago Tribune talks about how being generous has another benefit: improving…
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Chicagoans Value the Arts - But Which Neighborhoods Get Access?
All across Chicago, residents value and appreciate the arts. But getting access to them is another story—one that all depends on where you live. A public…
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“The Personality Conversion”: A Financial Advisor’s Insight into the Power of Generosity
The benefits of philanthropy extend beyond tax deductions and other financial gains. As a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, Denny Cummings has seen how charitable…
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The Ultimate Escape Artist: Transforming Lives Through Tattoos
Many people have marks on their bodies that remind them of something they’ve struggled to escape and want to leave behind. Eric Dean Spruth, MA,…
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Mentoring Refugee Girls Offers Everyday Reminders that “Goodness Does Exist”
When Blair Brettschneider began tutoring immigrant students after work in 2010, she had no idea it would change her life—and many others. One student in…
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Think Good, It’s Friday! 8.21.15
It’s that time of year! While the first day of school for Chicago Public School students is still a few weeks away (and I know…
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From Lincoln Park to Chinatown, a Museum Partnership Brings History Home
In 2005, the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago (CAMOC) opened its doors in the heart of Chinatown. The Museum curated exhibitions and events celebrating Chinese-American culture in the…
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"Everyone Knows Bernie": The Dynamic Leader Building Networks Across Chinatown
Standing in Bernarda “Bernie” Wong’s office at CASL’s Chinatown facilities can be overwhelming. Her wall is lined with pictures of her with mayors, congressmen, media…
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Two South Side Teens' Neighborhood March for Peace Goes Global
A few years ago, Chicago native Razia Hutchins found herself in a classroom discussing the shooting death of a local teen after a high school…
