New Year Update from Ignite CEO Stephanie Piccirilli

We finally arrived at 2021!  I think we can all agree, 2020 left a profound impact on all of us.  

And with that, we learned many things. One of the lessons we took to heart was the importance of being intentional - intentional with our words and our actions. When we are intentional, we create conversation, opportunity, and important breakthroughs that serve as vehicles to end poverty, racism, inequity, and disinvestment. Being intentional this past year led us to holding listening sessions with our youth to hear their perspective on the world today, developing a staff diversity and inclusion plan, keeping our staff and youth safe from COVID exposure, and  beginning to draft our five-year strategic plan, our staff and board at the helm. When we aren’t intentional we miss out on bringing issues to light, risk losing our place in the work we do to lift up our community, and pass up valuable opportunities to learn.  

Since our inception, Ignite has served young people who come to us having experienced disinvestment and racism, lacking health care resources, and missing a support system to encourage their growth.  All of this comes during a window of time when they are meant to be realizing their talents, learning to build relationships, and dreaming of their futures. While every young person has their own unique path in life, we often see two opposing paths for youth between the ages of 14-26. One path includes support systems, safety-nets, and equity; the other lacks these vital necessities. Our vision has always been bigger than providing safe housing. Each and every day, we fill these fundamental needs while striving to close equity and opportunity gaps for all youth experiencing homelessness.   

Our work will not be done until all youth experiencing homelessness in Chicago live into the future they deserve. Our work will not be done until all youth experiencing homelessness in Chicago have access to the opportunities they deserve. Our work will not be done until all youth can thrive–as they deserve.  

As we continue our work into 2021, we also celebrate some milestones on our horizon, including:

·       Our 45th anniversary of serving Chicago’s most vulnerable young people.  

·       The transformation of our community kitchen at our beloved Belfort House, making space for a brand-new commercial grade kitchen in March.

·       Our new Five-Year Strategic plan launching in July of 2021.

I hope you will continue to join us in this work and support our vision of a true, just, and vibrant future for youth.

May the new year prove to be one of growth, change, and joy for all of you.

With gratitude and love,

Stephanie