Damien Howard and Laine Klopfenstein from our Education focus area recently attended MENTOR’s National Mentoring Summit in Washington, DC, a national gathering that brings together mentoring practitioners and partners to share best practices and deepen impact. The...
We’re thrilled to celebrate an inspiring moment for education and innovation in our city! At the recent TechRise Chicago x The EdTech Institute of Chicago Pitch Competition, ideas that can shape the future of learning took center stage. We’re proud to...
As Together Chicago, we believe change in our city’s schools begins with prayerful presence—neighbors on the corner, standing in agreement for students, staff, and families. Love Your School Prayer Corners (LYSPC) was born from that conviction, and from a long journey...
Together Chicago is proud to celebrate Damien Howard, our Director of Education Initiatives, as he marks his ninth year teaching life skills to youth and young adults through the Summer Youth Employment Program through the Near West Side Community Development...
On June 5, 2025, members of the Together Chicago team proudly laced up their shoes to join Strides for Peace’s 8th Annual Race Against Gun Violence at Grant Park. With hundreds of people running or walking, the event once again highlighted the city’s...
Tonight at Lou Malnati’s in the West Loop, we gathered to honor a phenomenal group of mentors who have poured into students across three elementary schools this year through Together Chicago. From community members to graduate-level interns, this team showed up...
This past weekend, we wrapped up another incredible mentoring year with our much-anticipated annual trip to the White Sox game, this time cheering them on against the Rangers. But for our 16 boys from Pirie Elementary (grades 3–6), this day wasn’t just about...
At the 5th Annual Love Your School Friendraiser, more than 30 mission-driven organizations came together with one purpose: to build the relationships that power real, lasting change for Chicago’s youth. With over 250 participants — including young people from...
On Friday, March 21, 2025 our team sat down with City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chief of Faith Engagement Billy Evans and their team for a ‘Lakeside Chat’. The Mayor’s office hosts these conversations with local organizations in an effort...
Our Love Your School (LYS) Collective participated in the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Chicago Quarterly Convening, a gathering of educators, advocates, and community leaders united by one vision: to transform how we support boys and young men of color in Chicago....
Across multiple visits over the course of several months, writer Anne Snyder and photographer Kory Powell embedded themselves within the work of Together Chicago, getting to know the individuals at the heart of this organization — this news article on BitterSweet...
Together Chicago is making a meaningful impact on the lives of students at Pirie Elementary School through our Education Initiatives mentoring program. Now in its second year, the program focuses on supporting 10 to 15 boys with a blend of physical activity, personal...
The 2023 Together Chicago Friendraiser event brought leaders, organizations, schools, and churches together with the vision of “Partnering with Purpose” for removing barriers that disrupt a quality education for Chicago students. Over 150 people attended...
Together Chicago reduces gun violence with a five-pronged strategy designed to reduce crime on the streets and improve social conditions on Chicago’s West Side.
On Saturday, July 16th, the Champs Male Mentoring Program partnered with Brilliance & Excellence partners (including Together Chicago) to host the 6th Annual Born To Win Conference. One of our nations top speakers, Dr. Eric Thomas, offered the keynote address for...
ABOUT CAMPAIGN-NO MORE VIOLENCE As a subsidiary of the Brilliance and Excellence Movement, the “No More Violence” Campaign is focused on saving the lives of our youth in the beautiful city of Chicago. Our mission is to promote non-violence and inspire youth engagement...
Over 100 strategic city partners joined our 2022 Education Summit. We shared the success of our city-wide education impact efforts, during the 2021-2022 School Year. During this one school year alone, we impacted over 3200 youth, primarily from Chicago’s West...
Research demonstrates that students from low-income families are more apt to experience adversity, stress associated with financial instability, and trauma, which serve as barriers to learning and development (McLaughlin & Sheridan, 2016; Shonkoff et al., 2012),...
Love Our Schools Day (formally known as Love Your School) was a huge success. We had 17 registrants and hosted meals (or service initiatives) at 5 locations. Our next LOS Day will be May 27, 2022. See the video recap: Photos from the...
