Hope-Filled Organizations (Part 3)
Listed below are a number of Hope-Filled Organizations. Additional organizations are added regularly when they are recommended by website readers and when I become aware of them through my own work, reading, and research.
After School Matters
Project Happiness LSMO
Shalom Center
UNICEF - Child Friendly Cities Initiative
West Suburban Community Pantry (WSCP)
Please see Part 2 for other organizations!
Share Your Thoughts
PROJECT HAPPINESS LSMO
In 2016, during a heated Presidential election, I was extremely frustrated to see our great nation so divided. It broke my heart to see people I knew and loved unable to rationally communicate about politics. I knew that soon my own street would be filled with signs that would only create additional division in a neighborhood filled with folks I cared about. I realized then that we needed to create a campaign of our own to lift people's spirits, fill their hearts with joy, and bring a smile to their faces as they traveled down our busy street. Project Happiness LSMO was born! It has been more fun than I ever imagined. Our neighbors gathered to create signs with fun sayings. We placed them in every yard on our block. It immediately slowed folks down and placed smiles on their faces! It soon caught the attention of the local news and the local paper. It was working; we were spreading kindness and raising spirits!
In 2019, we decided to turn this project into an official charity so we registered with the state and became a 501(c)3. I am not going to lie it is a lot of work, but we are learning every day.
In 2020, we were overwhelmed by the demand for signs from people in our community. In 2020 my family & I created over 1,500 signs! It was unbelievable! We raised enough money to make some significant contributions in our city. It was an amazing year for our project. We heard so many kind words from so many people. During quarantine we kept signs out daily. Since the world had come to a complete stop your visits to "the box" entertained us so much. We met so many wonderful people. That year we also worked to build our Board of Directors, see our "Board Members" page to learn more about who we are.
To this day our sign project continues to grow. Each time the signs are planted in yards across Lee's Summit they delight drivers and catch the attention of many people in our community.
As we move into 2024 we are excited to continue to make a difference with our positive messaging. We know that encouraging words are important to everyone that sees them and you never know who needs motivation.
If you ever have any questions or if you would like to start a campaign in your neighborhood please reach out.
Thank you for helping us make this world a better place.
Your friend, Jennifer : )
Jennifer is Jennifer Hunsinger - Founder/President of LSMO
For more information about Project Happiness in Lee’s Summit, click on this link:
4 LSMO Program Participants
CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE
When we make our communities better places for children,
we make them better places for all.
The UNICEF Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) brings UNICEF together with local stakeholders to establish safer, more just, equitable, inclusive and child-responsive cities and communities.
With guidance from UNICEF, communities in the United States are developing action plans to ensure local policies are prioritizing the best interests of children and youth.
Here is a three minute video which explains some important aspects of the Child Friendly Cities Initiative: https://www.unicefusa.org/what-unicef-does/respect-children/child-friendly-cities
After School Matters empowers Chicago’s teens.
After School Matters inspires Chicago’s teens to discover their passions, develop skills for life beyond high school, and make friends along the way.
After School Matters provides out-of-school opportunities for teens across Chicago to connect, create, and thrive
Our History: After School Matters has been serving Chicago teens for 30+ years.
After School Matters began in 1991 as Gallery 37, a summer arts education program for Chicago teens located in tents on a lot in Chicago’s Loop. It soon expanded from that downtown location to bring the successful program to Chicago neighborhoods and in 1995 started a partnership with Chicago Public Schools to deliver the programs in Chicago high schools.
As the program expanded to include after-school offerings in interest areas beyond the arts, it officially became the nonprofit After School Matters in 2000. Working with both independent instructors and community-based organizations, ASM now offers more than 24,000 program opportunities each year, at 338 sites across the city
Since our founding, teens have earned a financial stipend for taking part in their program, helping to lower potential barriers to participation and teaching them the value of their time. Our instructors are professionals in their respective fields, giving the teens hands-on learning and providing important mentorship.
With programs in the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM, there is something for everyone at ASM. Here are two examples of the many programs which are part of ASM.
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To learn more about ASM, please click on this link: https://afterschoolmatters.org/
We invite you to be a part of our Annual Celebration on April 9, 2024, 5:30pm–8:00pm at Strawberry Creek. We are excited to announce that Green Bay Packers Players and Management will be joining us as part of their Tailgate Tour! Let’s “Celebrate Hope” with the Packers. Help us meet our goal of raising $50,000 to fight Hunger and Homelessness. This enjoyable and exciting evening will include:
• Meet & Greet Packers Players & Management
• Heavy hors d’oeuvres & Cocktails
• Raffle and Silent Auction
• Live Music by The John Crawford Jazz Band
Call 262-658-1713 for more information.
About the Center
Shalom Center is a 501(C)3 in Kenosha County serving as the only homeless shelter, largest food pantry, and longest running nightly meal program. Shalom Center is a community resource that provides housing, food, guidance, and support to individuals and families in need across our community. Our mission is simple: serve the community through food, shelter and supportive ways. We believe that this mission will help realize a greater vision: self-sufficiency by maximizing the potential of people we serve. To learn more about the Shalom Center and its programs, click on this link: https://www.shalomcenter.org/
A new addition to the Shalom Center is Hope Hub Community Center.
The 10,500-square foot addition will serve as a community center plus provide a much-needed warming and cooling shelter. Case management along with washers, dryers, showers, and food will be onsite. For those in need, the new facility will have housing and homeless diversion professionals to help connect them with vital services.
“HOPE HUB Community Center will enable people to get the services, the case management, the wrap-around services that they need to continue to make a better life for themselves,” said Wendy Cross, Community Center Director. “Individuals and families in our community often just do not know where to go to get help. The new center will function as a one-stop shop.”
The opening of HOPE HUB is another exciting and historic event for Shalom Center. An anonymous donor underwrote the $2.4 million addition. “That is a person who believes in our mission, vision and goals,” stated Tamarra Coleman, executive director of Shalom Center. “We can’t thank that anonymous donor enough. Because of that commitment we are going to be able to help so many more people.” The addition was designed by Kueny Architects and built by Bane-Nelson.
To learn more about the HOPE HUB, watch a 2 minute video by clicking on this link: Shalom Center unveils new Hope Hub with ribbon cutting ceremony (tmj4.com)
Our Mission: Nourish. Connect. Thrive.
West Suburban Community Pantry (WSCP) creates opportunities for our neighbors to thrive by providing nourishing food and access to supportive resources.
Together with our community of supporters, partners, and volunteers, we are a place of nourishment and stability that our neighbors can count on.
Serving over 110,000 individuals in FY2023, WSCP is integral to helping people in DuPage and Will Counties receive the nutrition they need to lead full lives. We work to break down barriers to food assistance, implement new services to best help people in our community, encourage volunteerism, and educate about existing needs.
West Suburban Community Pantry is working with several food distributors to rescue quality produce from being thrown away and redirecting it to its customers and other area food pantries. (photo provided by West Suburban Community Pantry)
A History of Helping Hands
In 1970, Roger and Barbara Schmith transformed a small pantry in the closet of a local church into a community supported organization.
As it gained support, grew in size, and finally earned 501(c)(3) status as the Woodridge Community Pantry in 1992, so too did the recognition of the need across the surrounding counties. In 2010, we became the West Suburban Community Food Pantry to serve all of DuPage County, and we now offer aid to Will County too.
Many things have changed in 50 years, from instituting school breakfast programs, to partnering with organizations who offer classes but, one thing has stayed the same: no one is turned away. For we’re all just a crisis away from the same circumstance.
To view and listen to a 3 minute video about the West Suburban Community Pantry, click on this link: https://wscpantry.org/about/#mission
