THE AWAKENINGS PROJECT is a grass-roots, all-volunteer initiative whose mission is to assist artists with psychiatric illnesses in developing their craft and finding an outlet for their creative abilities through art in all forms. The Awakenings Studio is a supportive art studio used for art exhibits, work spaces, writing workshops, play rehearsals, receptions, and more. THE AWAKENINGS PROJECT also works to raise public awareness and acceptance of the creative talents of people living with psychiatric disorders who work in the fields of fine art, music, literature, and drama. In the mid-1990s, THE AWAKENINGS PROJECT started as a single art show based on the belief that art fosters the healing power of creativity, support of community, development of competence, discovery of confidence, and sense of contribution.

Green Star Movement inspires students and community members through the creation of public art. This interactive process builds teamwork and self-esteem in participants and revitalizes urban neighborhoods. We annually serve over 2,000 students and adults with mural arts programming and have successfully transformed the interiors and exteriors of over 160 public spaces, including schools, parks, community centers, and underpasses. A former arts instructor, Kamelia Hristeva founded Green Star Movement when she recognized that not only were students in underserved areas eager for meaningful opportunities to be creative, but the surrounding school buildings and neighborhoods were often uninspiring, unattractive, and neglected.

Intonation Music youth explore their limitless potential by learning to play instruments and form their own rock bands. Offered in partnership with schools, park districts, and community organizations, our year-round classes make music accessible to youth by providing them with instruments, instruction, mentorship, and the chance to perform on stages across the city. Each Intonation Music student takes part in a personal and team approach to practice, setting goals, and problem-solving; and over time they gain the confidence to take charge of their direction and seek out new experiences. Mike Simons founded Intonation Music with a car full of his own instruments, a volunteer slot at a local community center, and a hunch that learning to play and perform the music they love would be a rewarding experience for kids.

The Kindness Connection (TKC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that fosters the next generation of volunteers by offering service-learning opportunities to youth in the Chicago metropolitan area. Children are able to pick a handmade arts-and-crafts project that, when completed, will be donated to a nonprofit and given to a person or animal in need. TKC has delivered art pieces to more than 40 nonprofit organizations serving senior citizens, youth, animals, or veterans. TKC believes that positive volunteer experiences early in life have the power to inspire individuals and make the practice of giving time and resources to charitable and civic causes an intrinsic part of their lives.

The Muslim American Leadership Alliance (MALA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to leadership through integrity, and as such, provides a platform for people to share their individual stories and to speak for themselves. Our premier civic engagement project – “Muslim American Journeys” – is an opportunity for Muslim Americans to share their own unique stories. Produced in partnership with National Public Radio and the Library of Congress, “Journeys” aims to document oral history, inspire pride, celebrate individuality, and enhance understanding of the diversity of Muslim Americans. Other MALA campaigns aim to unite Americans of all backgrounds to advance constructive solutions to extremism and human rights abuses. Literally and metaphorically, we link arms with fellow Americans to stand up for basic human rights for freedom. Finally, we mentor and empower emerging young leaders. Beyond giving them a platform to tell their stories, MALA runs leadership training workshops. Open to choice and creed, MALA embraces free expression, gender equality, and pluralism as cherished universal ideals.

PROJECT ONWARD is a nonprofit studio and gallery for professional artists with mental and developmental disabilities. PROJECT ONWARD supports the professional development of artists with exceptional talents and challenges – ranging from autism to mental illness – and provides these artists with workspace, materials, professional guidance, exhibition opportunities and access to markets to sell their work and advance their careers. In opening the studio and gallery to the public and activating the space with free public programs, PROJECT ONWARD seeks to promote art as a powerful tool for understanding and valuing the real and potential contributions of our national population with disabilities. At PROJECT ONWARD, art has become a unique medium for comprehensively and constructively discussing mental illness and developmental disabilities and re-framing the discussion around these artists’ abilities.

THE SIMPLE GOOD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect the meaning of “good” from around the world in order to provide inspiration, hope and possibility for at-risk youth in Chicago and beyond. Using Social Emotional Learning Core Standards, mindfulness and art, our eight-week program is designed to take students through a path of discovering different meanings of “good” by journaling, drawing and creating a work of art on their "simple good." By raising awareness about the everyday positivity that surrounds us, THE SIMPLE GOOD aims to empower youth to be forces of positive change in their communities. THE SIMPLE GOOD was founded after our blog of 52 international photos of “good” went viral, and we realized that no matter where you go in the world, “good” means the same to all of us and that is what connects us as human beings.

Stage Right CPS was created to support and upgrade performing arts programs in Chicago Public Schools. Constrained by limited resources and funds, many of our schools are operating with outdated auditoriums and limited technology. The mission of Stage Right CPS is to improve our public schools’ auditorium spaces, sound systems, and lighting technology so that our students’ talents can truly shine on every stage. Our first project is set for improvements and upgrades at Lincoln Park High School, a majority minority school serving 60+ zip codes within Chicago. These updates will allow LPHS to involve more students in each stage production, expand the curriculum for sound and light engineering, and better compete with neighboring schools. An all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Stage Right CPS was founded by a group of Chicagoans brought together by their interest and passion for education, community, and the performing arts.

th!nk it LOUD is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that spreads messages of hope and compassion through customized bracelet donations to young patients facing adversity or hardship. Our team goes into hospitals and interacts with young patients to help them come up with a word or phrase that inspires them, then we personally stamp that word or phrase on a wearable item and give it to the young patient as a reminder to th!nk it LOUD! The wearable, empowering accessory helps patients to remember that they are strong and to believe in their own power of thought.

TWIST OUT CANCER is founded on the belief that when you share, the world opens up. TOC provides psychosocial support for individuals touched by cancer through creative arts programming. Our signature program, Brushes with Cancer, is a unique celebration of survivorship and hope that pairs those touched by cancer with talented artists to create an original work reflective of the cancer journey. TOC also encourages and leads workshops ("Twist Shops") that provide individuals an opportunity to share their "twist on cancer," such as lessons learned, fighting strategies and new perspectives.