Designing a Better Future: Territory

“Territory primarily focuses on creating mentorship and career pathways for young people who don’t have as many opportunities just because of the neighborhood they’re from,” says Xochitl Hubbell-Fox, AmeriCorps VISTA at Territory. Territory is a nonprofit organization...

Access to Justice: North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic

“People often think that housing problems don’t exist in the suburbs,” says Nareen Kim, Director of Housing Law Practice at North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic. “But the housing landscape has changed.” Suburban renters include families and individuals who are low-income,...

Warehouse Workers for Justice: Finding Strength Together

In 2008, Republic Windows and Doors union workers occupied the factory they were working at after discovering the company was going to close down. The workers demanded that the company pay out their benefits and vacation days, and eventually won millions of dollars in...

LIFE CIL: Paths to Independence

“I think people are just amazed by the fact that we treat them as people,” says Brianne Anderson, Administrative Services Director, when asked to describe how LIFE Center for Independent Living (LIFE CIL) approaches those who come to them for support. “Our philosophy...

Lazarus House Spotlight: Rooted in Community

Lazarus House, an emergency shelter in St. Charles, Illinois, first opened its doors in 1997. In the 24 years since then, its mission has always been to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness or those at risk of becoming homeless. The organization...