To celebrate our 45th anniversary, we're bringing you the Ignite Icons series - highlighting some of the most prominent figures that have been part of the Ignite community over the years.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re highlighting 3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell, who has long been a crucial part of Ignite’s work in Bronzeville and beyond.
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Through Dorothy’s generous donation to Ignite from her estate, her spirit will continue to enrich and inspire the lives of others. It only seems fitting that her donation will be used for the Community Hub and outreach, past home to Nat King Cole and a place where all youth are welcomed to stop in and visit. Dorothy M. Parrott’s meaningful gift will go toward positively impacting the lives of youth by providing a new outreach van, hiring two new peer educators, funding outreach resources and youth activity costs. The new van will allow for broader reach to more neighborhoods (west and north side, along with further south) increasing partner contact and allows for more resources to be transported to handout to young people on the street
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When a young person comes to us at Ignite, our goal is to do everything in our power to equip them with all the experiences and skills necessary to create their own beautiful future – whether it’s secure housing that feels like home, financial literacy and career readiness skills, or the knowledge that they have a place in a warm and welcoming community that will provide lasting care. Linda O’Bryant, a long-term donor and former board member of Ignite, is one of the incredible Ignite community members that makes our work possible and allows us to continue changing the lives of all the youth that need our help.
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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.
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It’s hard to believe July has come to a close already. July brought with it a beloved goodbye, many beginnings, and some exciting new things to come for Ignite. And, for me, each time a month comes to a close, it brings with it some of the most reflective days of my year. Thoughts of what was accomplished or maybe missed, innovative ideas to dive into, or perhaps some obstacles we need to face. But what I hope for most is the clarity and space to be open to what is presented before me – and the possibility that exists within it.
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Taught by Ignite’s Employment Placement Manager, Shana McKinney, Level Up!’s intensive classroom component lasts for four weeks and covers topics such as the job seeking process, resume and cover letter requirements, interviewing skills, mock interviews, workplace-etiquette, conduct and dress, workplace conflict resolution, and good and bad workplace habits.
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Ignite’s Community Programs team has taken an active role in helping others in the community during the pandemic through a “Day of Action” twice a month.
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Although the COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible to do it in person, we want to celebrate our awesome 2020 graduates!
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Whether it’s providing stable and secure housing, helping youth develop financial literacy and job readiness skills, or building a community of warm and caring mentors and peers for our young people, we couldn’t offer our life-changing services without the caring support of donors like Mike and Judy Mason.
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If you ever have the pleasure of speaking with Christin Nix, it will not take you long to figure out that she loves her job at Ignite, which she describes as “such a blessing!” Christin is a Case Manager at Belfort House and has been with Ignite since May 2019.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has been an incredibly challenging time for Ignite. Fortunately, over the past three months our partners and friends have stepped up in some unique and amazing ways to support us so we can continue to serve our youth safely and successfully while adapting to the current circumstances.
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Chicago’s Pride Month parade was cancelled for the first time in its history because of the COVID-19 pandemic and, like so many others, the Ignite community was disappointed not to be able to march to demonstrate our support for the LGBTQ community. Despite this disappointment, the youth and staff at Belfort House celebrated PRIDE month by decorating Belfort House with PRIDE Month décor, such as posters and rainbow streamers, and engaging in PRIDE Month activities.
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CHICAGO - Ignite, the leading nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty for youth in Chicago, announced Stephanie Piccirilli as its new CEO.
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What’s brought us here together at Ignite is the shared belief that we all want to be an active part of change. That change begins with each one of us.
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