Recently, John Noyes had the incredible opportunity to tour A Safe Haven Foundation with their passionate Director of Development, Angela Lathen. Angela’s personal connection to the foundation is a testament to its transformative impact.
What makes this organization special? ⬇️
Welcoming Spaces: A vibrant courtyard, family units and dedicated areas for Veterans make it a place of healing.
Empowering Education: Job training in culinary, welding and more, plus a catering program serving over 1,000 meals daily.
Essential Services: A new pharmacy and Behavioral Health Department open to both residents and the community.
Unfortunately, the state only provides $28 a day for food, well below the $100 needed, making donations crucial. Both time and money can make a real impact, which has inspired John to start a book club with the Veterans! 📚
Let’s follow his lead. Whether you volunteer, donate, or spread the word, every effort helps. Learn more about A Safe Haven through the link below and share this inspiring story with someone today!
https://better.net/human-services/a-safe-havens-new-behavioral-health-center-saving-lives-and-winning-the-fight-against-homelessness/
#asafehaven #endhomelessness #nonprofitorganization #donateallyear #makeitbetter
On Your Feet Foundation raised an incredible $65K to fuel its mission of supporting birth parents! 🎉
The annual gala, Gather, brought the community together on Aug. 23 at Evanston History Center historic Dawes House for a speakeasy-themed evening. Guests enjoyed delicious bites from Green Spoon Kitchen, prohibition-era cocktails crafted by local mixologists, live jazz by The Chicago Jazz Dads, tarot readings by Ella Kist, a silent auction, and so much more.
This year’s honoree was Torie DiMartile, an Indiana University PhD candidate whose work in adoption education focuses on empowering adoptive parents through an adoptee’s perspective.
A huge thank-you to the supporters who made this event possible, including James Wimmer and the Patrice Campbell Education Fund, Verismo Financial, Cheryl & Mike Del Campo, Hilldale Towers Apartments, Knektar, Connected Neuroscience, The Wellness Revolution, Nature's Perspective Landscaping, Evanston Lumber, and many others.
🎉 Read the full story through the link below!
https://s.mtrbio.com/whgokrntgf
#onyourfeetfoundation #birthparents #bettermakers #philanthropy #nonprofitorganization #birthparentsupport
Hello, December! We’re diving into a month full of holiday cheer and endless fun! Here’s what’s happening this weekend to get you in the festive spirit:
✨ Dec. 5–8: One of a Kind Show and Sale Chicago
✨ Dec. 6: Southport Holiday Stroll & Cocktail Crawl, Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce
✨ Dec. 7: Santa Hustle
✨ Dec. 7–8: Chicago Master Singers Christmas
✨ Dec. 8: Clark Street Cookie Crawl, Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce
✨ Dec. 8: Christmas Pageant with Live Animals at Kenilworth Union Church
✨ Dec. 8: Cookie Decorating with Santa Claus at The Guesthouse Hotel
From magical holiday events and local shopping to cozy theater shows, December is packed with excitement for our #BetterMakers! Tell us how you’re celebrating this month, tag us in your adventures and check out more fun in our 31 Best Things to Do in Chicago and the Suburbs in December 2024 article on our website!
https://s.mtrbio.com/pckexzgyyg
#thingstodo #chicagoevents #explorechicago #makeitbetter #community
This season, charity galas are lighting up cities across the country with dazzling evenings dedicated to making a difference. From local leaders to celebrity guests, these events unite communities for unforgettable nights with powerful missions.
Check out these December galas you don't want to miss:
➡️2024 Diamonds and Pearls Gala -"A Night of Elegance," Dec. 7
➡️ Denver Winter Ball hosted by the Make An Impact Foundation, Dec. 7
➡️ New Orleans Jazz Museum's Improvisations Gala, Dec. 7
➡️71st Annual Alpha Merit Toy Dance, Dec. 13
➡️Mayor’s Masked Ball for UNCF, Dec. 21
Learn more through the link below and don't forget to sign up for our newsletter while you're there! Let us know what galas you're attending this year by commenting below. 🥂
https://i.mtrbio.com/gjdihtfqcc
#gala #philanthropy #givingback #bettermakers #nonprofitorgs
Mpower the Night Gala
On Nov. 1, Metropolitan Family Services hosted the Mpower the Night Gala, raising over $2 million (and counting!) to continue supporting more than 183,000 families with tools they need to reach their full potential!
The Make It Better Foundation was honored to be the Match Sponsor, contributing a $25,000 matching grant to amplify every dollar raised and extend Metropolitan’s reach across Chicagoland.
This event honored Nicor Gas, represented by President & CEO Wendell Dallas, with the inaugural Corporate Champion Award for its dedication to strengthening communities across Northern Illinois, along with The Chicago Community Trust, a longstanding partner in promoting equity, which received the Legacy Award, accepted by President & CEO Andrea Sáenz
Sponsors included The Duchossois Family Foundation, United Airlines, Ulta Beauty/Kecia and Gray Steelman, Edward Jones and many more. Check out the link below to learn more about the night!
https://i.mtrbio.com/ndmveicpfn
#makeitbetter #yousaidit #matchinggrant #fundraising #philanthropy #gala
The holiday season is almost here, and we’ve got your ultimate guide to festive fun! Check out our holiday roundup and mark your calendars for these must-see events:
November 14-17: Holiday Market at The Grove, Glenview Park District
November 16-17: Chicago Antique Market Randolph Street
November 22: Chicago Tree Lighting Ceremony, Millennium Park
November 23: The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
November 28: Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
November 28: Thanksgiving Feast at NoMI Chicago
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Christkindlmarket Chicago: Nov. 22 – Dec. 24
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden: Opens Nov. 15
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: Opens Nov 16
Celebrate the Holidays at A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre: opens Nov. 16
Get out in the community, spread the holiday cheer and be a #BetterMaker! 🌟 Join us in making this season even more magical. Check out the link below for more ways to get involved and tag us in your adventures! 💌
https://i.mtrbio.com/duvqrrzute
#holidayevents #explorechicago #thingstodo #makeitbetter #nonprofitorganization
Whether you're a local ready to reimagine your city or a traveler on the hunt for authentic Chi-town vibes, check out some highlights to your guide to the 30 things to do in Chicago and the suburbs this month and see even more on our website through the link below!
➡️ First Nations Film and Video Festival, Nov. 1-10
➡️ Antiques + Modernism Winnetka's Community House, Nov. 8-10
➡️Second Saturdays at the Goodman Theatre , Nov. 9
➡️BalletX at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Nov. 21
➡️Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Nov. 24: Music of the Baroque
➡️Kaki King’s BUGS at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Nov. 30
➡️The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party at Chicago Children's Theatre Nov. 23 until the end of Dec.
➡️NoMI Gallery x The Curio: Chicago Fashion Week, open until November 15: NoMI Chicago
➡️The Great Wave at The Art Institute of Chicago, open until Jan. 6
Let us know what events you’re looking forward to and don’t forget to tag us in your November adventures!
https://i.mtrbio.com/wyftlqhyuj
#thingstodo #chicagoevents #makeitbetter #bettermakers #community
Keep thinking pink! October may be over, but breast cancer prevention is year-round. In our latest Better Letter, Susan Berger shares her personal journey, along with breakthrough research and the power of genetic testing. Let her story inspire you to take action — and maybe share your own journey with us! 🌸
Not subscribed to our e-newsletter yet? Sign up through the link below to stay updated and to access the articles in our Better Letter.
https://i.mtrbio.com/joktggixvr
#breastcancerawareness #yousaidit #makeitbetter #bettermakers #philanthropy #nonprofitorganization
November is all about giving back in style! Across the country, charity galas are setting the stage for glamorous evenings with powerful missions. These events bring together local leaders, celebrity guests, and communities eager to make a difference—one unforgettable night at a time.
Here are a few November highlights:
➡️ Denver Scholarship Foundation Homecoming Gala (Denver): November 1, 2024
➡️ HRC Chicago Gala: November 9, 2024
➡️ The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC)'s Fall Gala: November 14, 2024
Explore our list of must-attend galas supporting nonprofits that truly matter. Tap the link below for all the details!
https://i.mtrbio.com/bhlxrtsuqg
Are you attending any galas this month? Let us know in the comments and share this post to spread the word! 💙
#nonprofitorganization #gala #makeitbetter #philanthropy #bettermakers
Is there anything more perfect than spending a crisp weekend apple or pumpkin picking? Check out this reel for our round up of orchards and pumpkin patches in and around Chicago to help you make the most of the season! 🍎
Grab your flannels, your favorite cozy drink, and soak up these fun fall activities while you can. Don't forget to share your adventures with Make It Better Foundation! Let us know what you're up to in the comments.
Check out the link below for the full list of details!
https://i.mtr.cool/phvrsiuguk
All Seasons Apple Orchard, Happy Times Pumpkinfest at Didier Farms, Goebbert's Farm - Pingree Grove, Heinz Orchard, Kuipers Family Farm, Odyssey Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maize, Richardson "World's Largest" Corn Maze, Royal Oak Farm Orchard, Windy Acres Farm Geneva, Il
#applepicking #pumpkinpicking #falladventures #bettermakers #makeitbetter #yousaidit #chicagoevents
The 60th Anniversary Cinema Soirée, designed by Kehoe Designs and BlackOak Technical Productions, raised $525,000 to support Cinema/Chicago’s public and education programs: Chicago International Film Festival, Summer Screenings, Community Cinema, CineYouth Festival, Chicago Industry Exchange Lab (CIX: Lab) and Accessibility at the Festival.
The soirée had many familiar faces, including host Al Roker, gathered to honor award winners such as Jennifer Reeder and included a moving tribute with film clips and Career Achievement award presentation to actor John C. Reilly. The night was filled with a live auction, a spirited paddle raise that the Make It Better Foundation proudly matched and entertainment by DJ SteveO and Senya Rogers-Kaufman Trio. This evening included delectable food and creative cocktails, courtesy of J&L Catering & Events, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Sanpellegrino, Revolution Brewing and Eli's Cheesecake Company.
Special thanks to the sponsors of the evening including Baker Tilly, The Clement Family, Lee Blackwell Baur & Tom Baur, Jacolyn & John Bucksbaum, Conagra Brands, CBRE , Chaz Ebert, Michelle Hayward & Jeremy Anderson, Christopher Keogh, Jason Delane Lee & Yvonne Huff Lee, Susan Lyons & Eric d’Arbeloff, Mark Mitten, Rohit Panikkar & Lakshmi Murali, Gigi Pritzker, Brenda Robinson, and William Blair .
Read more about the event on our website through the link below. We want to hear from you about the causes you're passionate about and the #bettermakers in your life. Tag your favorite nonprofit or impactful philanthropist in the comments!
https://i.mtr.cool/nennzrlodd
#ChiFilmFest #BetterMakers #makeitbetter #philanthropy #nonprofitorganization
The Silent Threat of Ovarian Cancer
Let's do this! Let's eliminate deaths caused by Ovarian Cancer so that other children don't have to grow up without their mom, like Kendall Schaffner and the father of Susan B. Noyes, Make It Better Foundation Founder.
Early detection is crucial - with research showing that 94% of patients live longer than five years when diagnosed early. We urge you to ask your OB GYN for the inexpensive CA 125 test—a vital step in catching ovarian cancer early. For more on the importance of genetic testing and early detection, read "The Silent Threat of Ovarian Cancer" on our website too [link below]. 💌
https://better.net/life/health/the-silent-threat-of-ovarian-cancer-how-genetic-testing-and-early-detection-could-save-your-life/
✨ If you or a loved one has faced a similar journey, please share your story and tag Make It Better Foundation. Let’s raise awareness together and help prevent others from experiencing this heartbreak.
Are you part of an organization dedicated to advancing ovarian health and early detection? We want to help! Share your story as a You Said It and earn the nonprofit you champion $1,000. Let’s carry this message forward and ensure that more lives are saved. As Kendall and Susan promise in this video, even more funds and a media campaign will be given to the most impactful NFP promoting Early Detection too.
https://better.net/philanthropy/you-said-it-share-your-passion-with-the-world/
#ovariancancer #ovariancancerawareness #CA125 #MakeItBetter #bettermaker #yousaidit #philanthropy #nonprofitorganization