Four ways you can make a difference this #GivingTuesday:

$10 – CONSOLE

A $10 donation provides a wound care kit for victims of gun violence—critical in the moments before medical care arrives. Victim Advocate Bernita Riley recalls, “I knew both guys in the neighborhood. The ambulance was taking a minute, so I went and got the wound care kit and applied t to where they were shot. I wrapped it and waited for the ambulance to arrive.” She says, "Proper care is the first step to recovery. Hospital care is amazing, but when victims are released, they often have little support, especially without healthcare insurance.”  

 

Your gift of $10 helps provides that essential first step toward healing, and thanks to a matching gift, your $10 becomes $20, amplifying its impact.

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$100 – CELEBRATE 

For many of our program participants, seeing beyond their neighborhood is a rare opportunity. Bryant Robertson, our Manager of Programs, shares, “We have many participants who’ve never seen downtown Chicago or haven’t been on a field trip since grammar school.” Through these outings, we expose individuals to new experiences and help them build connections with others from different neighborhoods.

 

Jalil King, our Workforce Development Specialist, explains, “Participants go on these outings and start to build healthy connections in their neighborhoods. They may come from different areas, but when they can get along in one classroom and on an outing, it promotes positive experiences and long-lasting connections.”

 

A $100 donation funds outings that provide educational and cultural experiences, like an architecture boat tour, opening participants’ eyes to the world beyond their community. Your $100 donation will be matched, allowing us to reach even more individuals.

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$1,000 – SUSTAIN 

Your $1,000 donation sustains our College Unbound participation, providing adults who face barriers with the chance to pursue higher education. For many, education is more than just knowledge; it’s about breaking barriers. As Tommie Jenkins, one of our recent graduates, says, “It was a good experience for me. When I was at home studying, my son would see me and it inspired him. He would grab his computer and act like he was doing schoolwork too.”

 

Tommie and his fellow graduate Lydell Lofton are living proof of the transformative power of education. Lydell reflects, “22% of Black men in America have a bachelor’s degree or more. It’s an accomplishment to be part of that 22%.” Your $1,000 gift will help others achieve the same life-changing milestone. Thanks to a matching gift, your $1,000 becomes $2,000, doubling your support for our students.

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$10,000 – EDUCATE

Our Nonviolence Trainings are based on the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., teaching participants how to confront systemic injustice and resolve conflicts peacefully. Orion Meadows, our Nonviolence Trainer, shares, “I take Dr. King’s philosophy seriously—it’s a way of life. My community is impacted by the three evils he spoke of: racism, poverty, and militarism. Our work here is about combating those issues with love, justice, and respect.”

 

Through these trainings, participants learn essential skills for emotional awareness, regulation, and conflict resolution. Jordan Whealdon, our Behavioral Health & Wellness Supervisor, emphasizes, “Our trainings teach people to use the strengths they already have while adding tools to their emotional toolbelt that will support long-term change.”

 

A $10,000 donation will sustain these transformative Nonviolence Trainings and help us reach more individuals and communities. With the matching gift, your $10,000 becomes $20,000, allowing us to expand our reach and create more agents of peace.