Partners in Change

GiGi's Playhouse opened its doors on September 29, 2013 in Tinley Park and was proud to become the 15th Playhouse nationwide!  Their distinct locations, no-fee programs, and positive energy help support thousands of families every single year. With that said, helping children and adults at GiGi’s Playhouse extends beyond the Down syndrome diagnosis. All ages, from prenatal to adults, are welcome. The positive and uplifting environment of GiGi’s Playhouse Tinley Park will empower those with Down syndrome to reach their highest potential. Our global message is acceptance. If you believe in a kinder and more accepting world for everyone, GiGi’s Playhouse is the place for you. If helping kids and adults pursue their education and wellness is important to you, GiGi’s Playhouse is the place for you. To learn more about GiGi's Playhouse, visit them at www.gigisplayhouse.org.

 

Thumbuddy Special is a non-profit organization that was started over 16 years ago by a group of special education teachers and therapists who had a vision to fill a void in our field. We needed to raise money to provide adaptive equipment for children with special needs. Our children required equipment to access their environment, and live a life where they could reach their maximum potential. Often our children were either denied the equipment they needed by the insurance company or public aide. Most of these families lack resources to purchase the equipment that their child needs. To learn more about their mission and organization, visit www.thumbuddyspecial.org.

Shorewood HUGS is a nonprofit women's organization that works to make a positive impact in the lives of those in our community & surrounding communities, one hug at a time. We do this by hosting unique events & raising funds to fulfill wishes for those in need. Founded in 2008 by a group of 5 moms wanting to give back to the community in which they raised their children, HUGS has grown to a group of 50 women passionate about helping those in need, deserving, or disabled. To date we have fulfilled over 1000 wishes, supported many local charitable organizations, giving back close to $750,000 since our inception. Everything that we do is 100% funded by donations from individuals and businesses that believe in the importance of supporting those in their community. We are 100% run by volunteers and every penny raised is given back to those in need. More information about HUGS can be found at www.shorewoodhugs.org and www.facebook.com/shorewood.hugs.

 

4th Quarter 2021 Partner

THE FIREHOUSE DREAM

THE FIREHOUSE DREAM provides young adults from communities that have experienced disinvestment with opportunities to DISCOVER creative skill sets like photography, cinematography, brand identity, while being EQUIPPED with financial wellness and other tools needed to create an income, and to partner their lived experiences with purpose allowing them to THRIVE.

Through mentorship programs designed for young adults ages 16-22, mentees get trained in a range of creative outlets while also getting paid.  They get the opportunity to gain real world experience, collaborate, and build a portfolio by partnering with local businesses and organizations to elevate their community's brand identity and witness community revitalization take place. 

A note from their founder, Jasmine Lopez

"I was raised by a single mom, in a low income home, and how my lived experiences has shaped the way I saw myself and the world. Looking back I see the influence of my high school photography teacher, Mr. Bullen, and how it was through his encouraging words that I decided to become a photographer. His words gave me the hope to believe I could be more, and that I was actually good at something. I began wondering what would it look like if we had a space to host events and workshops, where I, along with other boss friends, taught creative skillsets like photography, graphic design, video, podcasting, hand-lettering and more, partner that with financial literacy, such as how to budget, save, and business plan. I can imagine how learning a creative skillset could provide opportunities for our young adults to not only make an income, but find something they are passionate about, and in turn thrive."

 

Project Glimmer is a national non-profit on a mission to build self-confidence in adolescent girls and to inspire them to envision and realize their empowered future.  This organization has served over 700,000 teenage girls and women, 86% of whom are young women of color.  They work in all 50 states through partnerships with organizations like foster care, homeless, crisis, and youth services.  Through programs like Gift + Goods, Day of Empowerment, Empower Hours, and Career Coaching, they are helping to end gender and racial inequality.

 

"Confidence needs to be nurtured and that nurturing needs to start early, which is why I started Project Glimmer—our girls in San Francisco were being forgotten by their community during the holidays, and I wanted to change that. Project Glimmer has grown from a single holiday gift drive for forgotten teenage girls to a nationwide platform of programs that inspires a girl's ambition, connects her with a network of peers and mentors, and supplements some of her most basic personal needs. Our community partners have enabled us to reach over 700,00 girls while helping us transform what was once an historically-fragmented community into a highly operational eco-system of corporations, philanthropists, and volunteers donating their products, resources, time, and talent."