Since 2018, in May of each year, the Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) has recognized a graduating Highland Park High School (HPHS) senior with the HPCF Personal Achievement Award. The award honors a student who has “persevered despite obstacles or disability, thrives in the school environment, is a hard worker and a positive influence, and elicits a feeling of joy from those who interact with them,” said Jean Meadows, HPCF Board Member and Personal Achievement Award Committee Chair. In recognizing students who display these qualities, HPCF honors those who demonstrate resiliency and dedication to their education. This year’s recipient, Katerina Shutman, possesses every one of these qualities.

Katerina Shutman with HPHS teacher Katrina Tolemy at HPHS Honors Night.

Katerina demonstrated a consistent commitment to her education as well as her long-term goals throughout her high school experience. “Katerina represents the essence of the Personal Achievement Award,” said Karen Reisin, Committee member. “She is kind, personable, hardworking, self-confident, and determined, despite the obstacles she has faced. Katerina is also an animal lover who hopes to one day participate in the Veterinary Assistant program at CLC, and her ambition and hard work have already brought her closer to achieving this goal.” Through work study and job training at HPHS, she developed her vocational skills so well that she was recently hired as an official employee at Green Bay Animal Hospital

L to R: HPCF Chair Laurie Levin, HPCF Board Member Betsy Brint, Katerina Shutman, HPCF Board Member Jean Meadows

Katerina maintained her dedication to achieving her dreams in the face of a number of obstacles that made high school challenging. “Katerina embodies all the qualities of a Highland Park Giant. She is hard-working, thoughtful, polite, and one of the kindest people you will ever meet. She overcame a huge personal loss with the passing of her father during her sophomore year, but she never gave up. She showed her grit and determination to learn skills that would help her be successful,” said one of her teachers, Katrina Tolemy. Katerina’s commitment to preparing for her future, and making sure it aligns with her dreams, is just one of her many admirable qualities

Katerina left a lasting impression on each member of the Personal Achievement Award Committee. “Interviewing Katerina for this award was the highlight of my week! Not only is her smile contagious, but her attitude toward school, learning, work, animals, friends, and life in general, is inspirational. Katerina epitomizes the spirit of the Personal Achievement Award, and I know I am a better person having met her!” said Betsy Brint, Committee member. “We all left the interview smiling; her positive energy is infectious!” added Jean.

Katerina Shutman was awarded the Personal Achievement Award at HPHS’s Student Honors Night. The HPHS Board and Staff congratulate her on all her hard work and wish her all the best in her future endeavors!

Members of the Highland Park and Highwood community, as well as other surrounding communities, will walk and ride together to end gun violence on Sunday, August 18th at the second annual Rock the Ride North Shore. Rock the Ride was established in 2018 after a mass shooting in Yountville, California, when Congressman Mike Thompson and Ride Napa Valley Event Producer Rebecca Kotch wanted to find a way to use their voices to raise awareness about gun violence prevention. The annual ride is also a way to raise funds for organizations that are supporting those impacted by gun violence or ones that are dedicated to finding solutions to this pervasive problem. Rock the Ride North Shore will include a 25-mile ride, a 12-mile ride, and a 3-mile walk.

For the second year in a row, Rock the Ride will be coming to the North Shore to honor the victims and survivors of the Highland Park shooting. Last year’s event – which was organized and spearheaded by Congressman Brad Schneider, Rebecca Kotch, and Highland Park resident Pam Faulkner – saw over 400 people in attendance and was an extremely moving day for all who were there. “There were a large number of people who spoke about the impact gun violence has had on either themselves or someone they loved. I felt extremely honored and privileged to hear some of these stories and to bear witness to their experiences and the variety of ways gun violence can impact communities, families, and individuals,” said Pam. This year’s event, like last year’s, will benefit Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) and two national organizations: Giffords Law Center and Moms Demand Action/Every Town for Gun Safety.

Rock the Ride 2023

It has been two years since the Highland Park shooting, and it is more important than ever to continue the fight against gun violence both locally and nationally. “Just last month the surgeon general declared gun violence a public health crisis; it is the leading cause of death among children and teens – it is a tragedy that is not unique to any one demographic or community,” stated Pam, reflecting on why events like Rock the Ride are essential. “It’s endemic in our nation and we have a responsibility to address it. It is not something that is exclusive to Chicago or any single community, it is everywhere. As a result of that we have to look at what are the opportunities for us to not only raise awareness or money, but to raise compassion as well.”

Betsy Brint, former HPCF Chair, was present at last year’s Rock the Ride North Shore and was struck by the strong sense of community that tied the attendees together. “It is vital to have these events every year to remember what happened, to keep fighting for change so it doesn’t happen again, and to honor those who were hurt and who are still suffering,” stated Betsy. “Survivors from other communities and their family members were also in attendance which created a sense that we were a part of greater community, even if it’s a community we never wanted to join. It’s important to know we’re not alone and to know that all these people are fighting this fight with us; we will continue to support one another and be there for one another – that’s what this ride does.”

Rock the Ride 2023

Even though it is a local event, it is bigger than any one community and allows us to lean on each other for support as we honor those that we have lost to gun violence. Rock the Ride North Shore also gives people an opportunity to make their voices heard and channel their energy into something that can make a difference. “People were really excited to do something, to take action, and to talk about everything that’s happening in the country. This event gave survivors and those who want to make change a chance to be proactive, to get this money out there, and to fight this on the legislative and local level as well as support survivors by raising awareness about this issue,” added Betsy.

Thanks to the generosity of donors to the HPCF’s Recovery Fund, the Foundation was recently able to distribute $127,500 to support the work of 11 organizations dedicated to addressing ongoing needs for mental health and other services resulting from the Highland Park shooting. The grant recipients include Art Impact Project, Community–The Anti-Drug, Family Focus Highland Park, Family Service of Glencoe, Highland Park Public Library, Highwood Public Library & Community Center, Josselyn, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, PreOla Impressions, Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers, and The Art Center Highland Park.

We are fortunate to have so many nonprofits and professionals, including the City of Highland Park’s Resiliency Division, in our midst that residents can turn to for help. As noted in the June/July City of Highland Park Highlander, “If you or someone you may know has been impacted by the Highland Park shooting, the City of Highland Park Resiliency Division can assist you in accessing resources such as specialized mental health providers, peer support groups, as well as connect you with further resources. The Resiliency Division can also provide short-term counseling and case management assistance.”

Rock the Ride North Shore is sponsored by Green Bay Cycles, Brad Schneider for Congress, and Byline Bank. The event will take place on August 18, 2024, and it begins and ends in Hubbard Woods Park, Winnetka. Online registration is open through 3:00 PM August 16 at https://bit.ly/4cTmdIP. Day of registration begins at 7:00 AM at Hubbard Woods Park. Children and youth ages 17 and under participate for free. The 25-mile ride begins at 8:15 AM, followed by the 12-mile ride at 8:45 AM and the 3-mile walk at 9:15 AM. The event includes a Bagels and Bubbles Brunch in the Park for all registrants from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, with formal remarks from guest speakers beginning at 11:00 AM. Brunch-only and virtual options are available. For more information, visit Rock the Ride North Shore at https://bit.ly/4cTmdIP.

The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is pleased to recognize Mirela Vesa as the 2023 recipient of the HPCF Golden Apple Award! The HPCF, along with a local family foundation, initiated the annual award in 2010 to recognize and honor outstanding teachers in Highland Park’s public schools who have completed a minimum of four full years of teaching. The award rotates among the elementary, middle school, and high school levels of teaching. This year, nominations were accepted for teachers who work full-time in pre-K through 5th grade classrooms.

“Each year, a Selection Committee comprised of exemplary current and retired educators, administrators, and former award recipients evaluates a large number of applications and completes a full day of observations for each of the final three candidates. The recipient is chosen based on content knowledge, instruction, staff and student interaction, and contribution to school and community,” said Sara Sher, Chair of the HPCF Golden Apple Committee. After receiving many excellent nominations and completing a rigorous review process, Mirela Vesa was chosen as this year’s recipient. Rachel Joseph and Meredith Rossman were selected as this year’s semi-finalists.

L-R: HPCF Board Member Jean Meadows, HPCFGA Recipient Mirela Vesa, HPCFGA Committee Chair Sara Sher

Mirela Vesa, the 2023 HPCF Golden Apple honoree, teaches a pre-K self-contained special education individualized learning program classroom. Her extensive knowledge of early childhood education and expertise in special education allow her to support the variety of needs, strengths, and talents that exist in her classroom. Yet, they are only part of what helps her students reach their full potential. Mirela’s devotion to her students ensures that each child’s strengths and interests are supported and the needs of each are addressed. She also forms significant and meaningful relationships with them. Mirela meets their various academic, emotional, linguistic, and social needs, pretty much doing the job of two teachers by having to plan for twice as many diverse learners as is typical. With Mirela, though, it’s not a job, it’s a calling. She teaches her students to celebrate their similarities and differences, creating an empathetic classroom environment modeled after her own caring nature. The impact she has on those in her classroom is reflected in remarks made by the students’ parents. Mirela is a “magical unicorn kind of person” noted one parent, a “superhero/superhuman,” noted another, when reflecting on what sets her apart as an educator

Rachel Joseph teaches kindergarten at Braeside Elementary School, where she brings extraordinary energy to the classroom. Rachel remembers being a student who did well in school, thanks to the teachers who took the initiative to get to really know her as a person, and views herself as “paying it forward” with her own teaching. By empowering her students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, Rachel nurtures well-rounded students who strive to be their best selves and succeed in every aspect of their lives. She fosters her students’ strengths by recognizing and focusing on each student’s individual needs through her curriculum and connecting with her students in a personalized manner.

Meredith Rossman exemplifies what it means to be a role model for her fourth graders at Sherwood Elementary School. Beyond ensuring her classroom is a place that encourages and facilitates education, she makes sure it is an inclusive and safe space for all. She helps students become the best possible version of themselves and world changers. She also, as one administrator commented, “connects with kids in a way that can’t be taught.” The impact of her excellent character goes beyond the classroom. Her positivity is infectious and spreads to both her colleagues and students. From her command of the subject matter to the overall culture of learning she cultivates in her classroom., Meredith distinguishes herself as an educator.

HPCFGA Recipient Mirela Vesa

The HPCF Golden Apple Selection Committee met in early May to determine this year’s recipient and semi-finalists. Mirela learned she had been selected this year’s recipient at a surprise celebration on Tuesday, May 9, where she was presented with a $2,000 honorarium, $500 Apple Store gift card, and “Golden Apple” statue. Mirela Vesa, Rachel Joseph, and Meredith Rossman were all honored at the May 16th District 112 School Board meeting.

The HPCF plans to continue its annual recognition of exemplary teachers to demonstrate the importance of a strong education system in helping young people reach their full potential and in shaping lifelong learners. For information about past recipients visit hpcfil.org/awards/golden-apple-winners

Gather with friends and neighbors on Friday, September 20, at Highland Park Community Foundation’s fifth annual Gather for Good celebration! The event kicks off at 6:30 PM at Binny’s Beverage Depot, 153 Skokie Valley Highway, Highland Park. Funds raised from this festive event will further the Foundation’s mission of addressing unmet needs and expanding opportunities for all Highland Park and Highwood residents.

“The evening brings together many incredible individuals from our community to celebrate the support nonprofits provide for our Highland Park and Highwood residents. It’s a terrific night that helps to bolster the resources of the Foundation to enable it to support these amazing organizations. We are also building on the success of our past events and highlighting more of the wonderful local restaurants that truly make our community special, so we hope everyone who can possibly make it will join us!” said Caroline Mead, Gather for Good CoChair.

Gather for Good 2023

In addition to raising funds for the Foundation’s annual grants, the event raises awareness about the vital work of the Foundation and honors exceptional service to the community through the Jack Blane Community Service Award. “Jack Blane was a very honored board member, one of the founding members of the Foundation, a tremendous community service advocate, and a generous donor. The award honors him by celebrating an individual or organization we feel is following in his footsteps to better the lives of everyone in the community,” stated Laurie Levin, Foundation Board Chair.

This year’s Jack Blane Community Service Award recipient is Pablo Alvarez, a long-time Highland Park resident and Highland Park High School guidance counselor. Pablo’s commitment to his community extends far beyond the reach of the high school, although he has had a tremendous impact on students’ lives there. As a Moraine Township trustee, he works closely with families and other members of the community, helping to address needs in the areas of food insecurity and emergency relief. Pablo is also the Board Chair of Josselyn, where he helps to bring accessible mental health services to people throughout 300 different local communities. “Pablo was also a member of the Together Highland Park Unidos Committee, which was dedicated to providing funds for those impacted most by the Highland Park shooting and spent countless hours translating applications and ensuring that the process ran smoothly. He has a pure heart and a unique talent for bringing out the best in people. We’re excited and honored to recognize Pablo Alvarez as the recipient of this year’s Jack Blane Community Service Award,” added Laurie.

Pablo Alvarez

Foundation Board members are currently reviewing 68 annual grant applications totaling over $1.18 million in funding requests. All of the funds raised through Gather for Good will be used for the grants the Board will award this year to nonprofits that help community members in numerous ways. “Every year, we see an increase in the number of grant applicants, but we also see an increase in the dollar amount we can award. The funds raised from this event—with everyone’s assistance, dedication, and generosity—will allow us to award critical funds to address the needs of residents,” said Sofia Alvarez, Gather for Good Co-Chair, when reflecting on the importance of this annual event to both the Foundation and the community as a whole.

HPCF’s annual Gather for Good celebration is a fun night for mingling and coming together as a community. Close to 25 local establishments will provide delicious food and drinks – Tastes of the Town – highlighting the number of amazing culinary options available in our community. The Foundation Board thanks in advance: 28 Mile Distilling, Abigail’s, Backyard Grill, BellaRu Catering, Bent Fork Bakery, Binny’s Beverage Depot, Bluegrass, Bright Bowls, Carol’s Cookies, Central Café, Disotto, Indus, Judy’s Pizza, La Plancha Loca, Long Grove Confectionery Co., Michael’s Grill & Salad Bar, Once Upon A Bagel, Pixca, Sugar Coated, Tamales…A Mexican Joint, The Claim Company, The Chunky Scone, and Viaggio-Highland Park. With restaurants still signing on, there will be even more at the event!

The Foundation is exceptionally grateful for all the hard work and time Maya RotmanZaid, founder of BellaRu Catering, has dedicated to coordinating the food and beverages for this year’s event. BellaRu Catering was established in 2017 and, since 2020, has distributed – for free – over 7 million pounds of food to help community members in need. The Foundation is proud to partner with Maya on this venture, and Maya is excited to see the local establishments coming together to support Gather for Good. “The Highland Park and Highwood restaurant community has really banded together in this last year, and we all strongly believe in the Foundation and its mission—that’s why we’re here giving back to the community in whatever way we can!” said Maya.

Gather for Good 2023

In addition to all the wonderful food and drinks, Gather for Good includes a silent auction and raffle with exciting individual and bundled prizes, many with values of $1,000 and up, that will appeal to everyone! These range from a Highland Park Fire Department ride to school and a Highland Park Police Department adult ride-along to sports and entertainment tickets; jewelry; special event packages; artistic, recreational, and dining opportunities; health and wellness services; portrait photography; home goods; and more, donated by over 70 local businesses.

Over 100 individuals and businesses have committed to event sponsorships, recognizing the difference their support makes for residents throughout the Highland Park-Highwood community. The Foundation hopes to increase that number in the coming weeks to maximize the event’s success and the good that can be accomplished through giving where you live.

Gather for Good is a night for Highland Park and Highwood residents to gather, learn about the Foundation’s work and impact on the community, honor community members, and help further the Foundation’s goal of improving the quality of life for all. For more information about donations, tickets, and how to add you or your business’s name to our list of sponsors please visit hpcfil.org/events/gather-for-good!

Each year, the Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) awards a Personal Achievement Award to a graduating Highland Park High School (HPHS) senior who demonstrates perseverance and commitment to overcoming challenges to meet their personal goals. The recipient must also “exemplify the spirit of the Community Foundation in terms of being a part of their school community or other communities they are involved in,” said Nancy Mills, HPCF Board Member and Personal Achievement Award Committee Chair. In recognizing outstanding students who overcome obstacles, the HPCF honors those who demonstrate resiliency and dedication to their education. This year’s recipient, Carlos Sanchez, personifies these characteristics.

Carlos Sanchez

The global pandemic and consistent interruptions to regularly scheduled classes made school – and life – difficult for students. Yet, Carlos faced those and other challenges with strength and determination. “Carlos faced many difficulties related to Covid-19, Zoom learning, and personal matters. He showed remarkable resilience and persistence in working through these obstacles and setting goals for his future,” said HPCF Board and Award Committee Member Jean Meadows. She added, “Carlos is very artistic and has a good sense of humor. We know Carlos will build on his many skills, engaging personality, and perseverance to achieve his career and personal goals.”

HPCF Board Member Jean Meadows, HPHS teacher Sam Toro, Carlos Sanchez, HPCF Board Member Nancy Mills

Carlos’s ability to maintain a part-time job outside of school while pushing himself to always be his best self demonstrates his dedication to excellence, which will no doubt continue throughout his life. As one of his teachers, Sam Toro, noted “Carlos continued to improve his school attendance, challenged himself academically, held a part-time job outside of school, and took advantage of Homework Club. He independently applied to three different colleges in case he decided not to commit to joining the Marines after graduation.” The thought and effort Carlos put into preparing for his future are admirable.

The HPCF has awarded outstanding graduating students with the Personal Achievement Award since 2018. After reviewing nominations submitted by Highland Park High School staff, a small committee from the HPCF interviews the finalists and selects the winner. During the selection process, members of the Community Foundation have had the privilege to get to know a number of truly amazing students

Carlos Sanchez was awarded the Personal Achievement Award in May at Highland Park High School’s Student Honors Night. The HPHS Board and Staff congratulate him on all his hard work and wish him all the best in all his future endeavors.

Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) recently awarded 65 Annual Grants totaling $873,075 to organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of Highland Park and Highwood. These grants will be utilized to address the educational, human service, creative, and cultural arts needs of young children, teens, families, adults, individuals with disabilities, and seniors in our community as well as expand opportunities for all residents.

Since our founding, we have distributed over $7.3 million in grants to nonprofits serving our community. This total includes $6 million in Annual Grants, $240,000 in emergency COVID grants awarded in 2020 and 2021, and $1,074,500 in Highland Park Shooting Recovery and Response Fund grants distributed in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

HPCF is proud to support more than 60 organizations that deliver essential services to the residents of Highland Park and Highwood. “We’re honored to offer opportunities and support to our neighbors in Highwood and Highland Park,” said Eric Ephraim, Vice-Chair of HPCF’s Governing Board, when reflecting on the importance of the grants in strengthening the foundation of the community. “Each of our board members performs heavy due diligence to ensure that the money we raise is distributed to local organizations that will be effective. This process ensures the success of the funded programs and strengthens our community,” he continued. David Reich, a past Board Chair, added, “These grants, both small and large, have a significant impact on a broad cross-section of the community, enabling organizations to deliver services to those in need or provide educational, musical, or artistic experiences to community members. These grants impact the lives of individuals and enrich the community as a whole.”

HPCF’s 2024 Annual Grant recipients include: 112 Education Foundation, A Safe Place, Art Impact Project, Arts of Life, Arts4Impact, Bella Ru Catering Giving Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts, Blessings in a Backpack Highland Park, Cancer Wellness Center, Center for Enriched Living, Collaborative Community Housing Initiative, College Bound Opportunities, Community – The Anti-Drug Coalition, Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Curt’s Café, Direct Giving Lab, East on Central Association, Erie Family Health Centers, Family Focus HP, Family Service of Glencoe, Focus on the Arts, Glenkirk, GPF Foundation, Gratitude Generation, Heart of the City, Highland Park After Prom, Highland Park Community Early Learning Center, Highland Park Historical Society, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park Strings, Highwood Public Library & Community Center, Housing Opportunity Development Corporation, HPHS – Estudiante to Student Mentor Program, HPHS – Homework Club, HPHS – National Hispanic Institute, JCFS Chicago, JCYS – Lutz Family Center, Josselyn, Keeping Families Covered, Keshet, Kids Rank, Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, Mothers Trust Foundation, Music Institute of Chicago, North Shore School District 112 – Service Learning, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association, Operation Warm, Parks Foundation of Highland Park, Pilgrim Chamber Players, Roberti Community House, SaLT – Service and Learning Together, Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers, The Art Center Highland Park, The Record North Shore, Time to Dance, Tri-Con Child Care Center, United Way of Lake County, Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park, Willow House, Working Together, Youth Services, and Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center.

Grant recipients shared the importance of these grants to their organizations and how the funding can help them strengthen the Highland Park-Highwood community. Susan Bell, Executive Director of College Bound Opportunities (CBO), said, “CBO is very grateful for the support the Highland Park Community Foundation has given to our Scholars from this community over the past 15 years. We are proud to count HPCF as a partner in our growth and success in advancing educational equity. HPCF has had a tremendous generational impact in Highland Park and Highwood, enabling 53 current students and 162 alumni who grew up in this community to earn their college degrees. Many of these graduates have returned here to live, work, and raise their families.” HPCF looks forward to witnessing how CBO will continue to grow and positively impact students’ lives in the future.

CBO Image, Caption: The extended Alonso-Melchor family, all of whom attended Highland Park High School and remain in the Highland Park and Highwood community, visiting freshman Ricky at Illinois State University’s fall family weekend. Pictured are Top Row: Dolores (CBO parent), Denisse (CBO Alumna, UIUC ’20), Ricky (CBO Scholar, ISU; HPHS ’24), Tati (CBO Alumna, UIUC ’12) Bottom: Aylin (CBO Scholar, Lake Forest College ’25), and Nicole (CBO Scholar, HPHS ’25). Not pictured: Diana Melchor (CBO Alumna, SIU ’17)

Reflecting upon the impact of their grant on Highland Park Community Early Learning Center, Executive Director Robin Byster said, “Highland Park Community Foundation’s Annual Grant has been instrumental in enhancing our programs. It allows us to provide high-quality, equitable early childhood education to families in Highland Park and Highwood, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. This support not only benefits the children we serve but also strengthens our community by fostering a foundation for lifelong learning and development.”

Highland Park Community Early Learning Center, Caption: Robin Ruthie with students at the Highland Park Community Early Learning Center on the playground

“We are so grateful for the impactful partnership with HPCF!” stated Amy Rosenfeld Kaufman, Vice President of Community Relations at Community Partners for Affordable Housing. She continued, “The grant we receive supports our Community Land Trust (CLT) program in Highland Park, which provides homeownership opportunities for those who find affordable housing in the community out of reach. Many of our residents describe owning a home in Highland Park that they can afford as ‘a dream come true,’ noting feelings of stability and permanency. In addition, CLT homes are permanently affordable, helping household after household, enabling HPCF’s grant to live on into future generations. What a tremendous contribution to the community!”

Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Caption: Highland Park couple after closing on their new home

The Annual Grants HPCF awards not only uplift individuals but also enhance the community as a whole. This impact is made possible through the generosity of HPCF’s donors and the support of the City of Highland Park. Their contributions help realize our vision of an inclusive, well-rounded, and vibrant community where residents’ lives are enriched through our philanthropic efforts.

Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is excited to introduce Steve Schapiro as the Foundation’s first Director of Philanthropy. As we continue to expand our reach and impact, dedicated leadership in fundraising and development will optimize the success of our efforts to address unmet needs and expand opportunities for all community members. Steve brings with him a vast amount of knowledge and experience to the Foundation and joins us with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the nonprofit sector. His professional background, coupled with a passion for improving lives, make him an ideal fit for this pivotal role.

Native to this area, Steve is aware of the disparities that exist within our community and looks forward to expanding our fundraising platforms to address them. “I am humbled and honored to be working with Highland Park Community Foundation’s dedicated Board and staff. As we look to the future, a focused effort on fund development is required to expand opportunities and address the unmet needs of residents in Highland Park and Highwood, an effort I’m eager to engage in. I look forward to meeting our generous donors and broadening our base of support from the business community, foundations, and individuals,” he said. “Over the next several months, I will also be meeting our partner agencies, who provide the essential and irreplaceable services and programs our residents need. I will be at community events as well to introduce myself to as many people as possible and raise awareness about the Foundation and all we do to strengthen our community.”

Steve Schapiro

Steve is an accomplished development professional with a solid record of success in executing fundraising plans across a wide range of sources including special events, major gifts, and corporate gifts; cause-related marketing; sponsorships; and grants. He has led diverse fundraising teams and collaborates harmoniously with donors, the C-suite, volunteers, staff, and boards. He has held senior-level positions with several leading nonprofit organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association and, most recently, the Les Turner ALS Foundation as Chief Philanthropy Officer.

“We are thrilled to have Steve Schapiro join our team,” said HPCF Board Chair Laurie Levin. “He has lost no time in meeting our Board members and bringing his wealth of experience in the philanthropy world to help HPCF identify and foster new donor bases, increase the commitments of existing donors, and broaden the initiatives that will enable HPCF to thrive generationally. Steve is approachable and enthusiastic, characteristics that align perfectly with the HPCF’s mission to address the unmet needs of our diverse community.”

Executive Director Terri Olian added, “The decision to bring Steve on board reflects our commitment to strengthening our fundraising strategies, fostering donor relationships, and securing resources necessary to advance our mission. With Steve’s guidance and expertise, we are confident in our ability to expand our reach and make an even greater difference in the lives of children and adults throughout Highland Park and Highwood.”

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Steve as we continue to build a brighter future for our community!

Nominations for the 2025 Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) Golden Apple Award are now open! This annual award honors and recognizes teachers who exemplify excellence in their profession as well as those who leave a lasting positive impact on their students. The HPCF Golden Apple Award will be presented in the spring of 2025 to a teacher in grades 6-8 who demonstrates these qualities.

“Each year, we honor an exemplary educator with the prestigious HPCF Golden Apple Award,” said Sara Sher, Chair of the HPCF Golden Apple Committee. “The recipient is chosen based on content knowledge, instruction, staff and student interaction, and contribution to school and community. It is our mission to collect nominations from the community to award a teacher who has dedicated their time and effort to making a difference in their students’ lives through their academic guidance and encouragement.”

Nominations for the HPCF Golden Apple Award will be accepted for full-time teachers currently working in North Shore School District 112 in grades 6-8. Community members— students, parents, colleagues, and administrators—may submit nominations, however, nominations by family members and self-nominations will not be accepted. To nominate an educator, please visit https://bit.ly/HPCFGA2025.

2024 HPCF Golden Apple Awardee Sarah Douglas and Family Members

The HPCF Golden Apple Award honoree will receive a Golden Apple statue and the Sara Sher Excellence in Teaching Prize—a $2,000 honorarium and $500 Apple Store gift card. The recipient will be recognized at their school and honored by the NSSD112 Board of Education and HPCF’s Board of Directors.

In order to be eligible for the award, the nominee must have completed four full years of teaching and be committed to continue teaching in the Highland Park-Highwood public school system for at least two more years. They must also be part of the Golden Apple Selection Committee after receiving the HPCF Golden Apple Award. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, November 15, 2024, at 5:00 P.M.

Show your appreciation for the outstanding middle school educators who have positively impacted their students by submitting one or more nominations today! For more information or questions regarding the HPCF Golden Apple Award, please contact Sara Sher at sarasher606@gmail.com.

Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is honored to welcome Ashley Kelly and Cere Woods to our Governing Board! Both Ashley and Cere possess experience, skills, and qualities the Foundation looks for in its Board members, including an unwavering love of the Highland Park and Highwood community. Their presence on the Governing Board promises to bring innovation and progress to the Foundation, and we look forward to all their contributions.

“An important role of the Governing Board is to better understand what the needs of the community are and how we can help meet them,” said Cookie Kohn, a member of the Executive Committee and Membership Committee Chair. Many wonderful organizations, dedicated to addressing unmet needs in the community, operate in Highland Park and Highwood. The Governing Board is committed to getting to know them on a personal level through a liaison program, which helps the Board members determine how to best allocate funds. “Every member of the Governing Board is a liaison to two or three organizations, and they share with the rest of the Board how their specific organizations improve the community and how they think grant funds should be distributed,” added Cookie. “We were thrilled that Ashley and Cere wanted to help with this and cannot wait for them to be a part of our grant-making process!”

Ashley Kelly

Highland Park native Ashley Kelly has been a member of the HPCF since 2019 when she helped found the Associate Leadership Council (ALC), of which she now serves as Co-Chair. Ashley looks forward to all the new opportunities available to her as a part of the Governing Board, and specifically looks forward to “forming relationships with the people within the organizations that the Foundation awards grants to and being a part of the process that allocates funds to keep the community thriving.” Ashley’s work at Allstate Insurance Company, where she oversees national sports and entertainment sponsorships, and engagement marketing, helped prepare her to step into her role as a member of the Governing Board. The sponsorship deals that she manages each have an important philanthropic component; whether that be recognizing student athletes for ways in which they improve their local communities or organizing community service events in markets where sporting events occur, they are always looking for ways to have a positive impact. “I hope my skills, background, and experience can help fill any gaps, and I can jump in wherever there is a need, drawing on my work experience and other volunteer efforts,” Ashley added.

Cere Woods

Having moved to Highland Park in the midst of the pandemic in May of 2020 with her husband, Tom, and two children, Cere Woods was nervous that the social restrictions would make it difficult to integrate into the community. She discovered, however, that she was welcome with (socially distanced) open arms and found her home here. Wanting not just to live in Highland Park, but also to become involved in the community, Cere was excited to learn there was a vacancy on HPCF’s Governing Board. “Now that we’ve been in Highland Park for four years, I was looking for a way to meaningfully give back to the community. The HPCF stood out to me as an organization that gives back to a broad network of organizations that serve the community in a variety of ways,” she said. Cere was also struck by how the Board looks out for the well-being of the entire community and cares about the needs of people from all walks of life. “I’m thrilled to have the chance to oversee how the funds are used and make a difference in the community on a broad level as opposed to getting involved in a single organization,” she added.

HPCF’s Governing Board ensures the funds, which are so generously donated by individuals, businesses, and foundations to help our community, go to organizations that can positively impact Highland Park and Highwood residents. The application deadline for this year’s annual grants is July 15th. Like the rest of the Board, Ashley and Cere are eager to dive into the requests, meet with applicants, and help decide which programs and services to support, and at what level, to best address needs and strengthen our entire community. For more information, visit hpcfil.org.

Highland Park native Nancy Mills is a dedicated philanthropist whose giving spirit has positively impacted the community and its residents. Her work throughout the years with the Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF), as well as within both the legal and educational systems has impacted countless lives and earned her the honor of receiving the HPCF’s 2022 Jack Blane Community Service Award. “I am just thankful that I can contribute – that I have the time and the ability to do this – and I think the Highland Park and Highwood community is incredibly special. Giving back is meaningful to me,” she remarks. A true humanitarian, Mills has dedicated her time to serving and bettering this incredibly special community to ensure equity, safety, and opportunity for all who live here.

Nancy recalls being inspired to get involved with service work when her children entered elementary school and she saw the need for volunteers across different educational stages in the community’s schools. “When my kids were in elementary schools that’s when I really started helping in their schools; I was an art mom and helped with food days and a lot of other activities within the elementary and middle schools.” At the high school level, Mills embraced FOCUS on the Arts, taking on leadership positions ensuring that the program brought unique experiences to enrich student learning and ensured that members of the larger community had the opportunity to connect with world-class artists and programming opportunities and events.

Nancy’s empathy and dedication to helping others are further exemplified in her work as a court advocate with A Safe Place, which provides emotional support and technical assistance for individuals facing domestic violence. “My work as a court advocate has touched me deeply and impacted the lives of survivors working to move their lives forward during some of the most difficult circumstances,” said Nancy. As a volunteer, she has helped people apply for emergency orders of protection, and two-year plenary orders to ensure that all members of the community have access to quality assistance and an equitable chance for justice against abusers. “The legal process can be intimidating, and my work as an advocate has helped them navigate a complex process. The individuals facing these circumstances appreciated having someone supportive by their side as they moved through the court system.”

Court advocates from A Safe Place participate in the North Shore Taco Run 5K, July 2019. From left to right: Kim Mudd, Maria Villarreal, Janette Tinoco-Ledesma, Mindy Sterns, Stacie Chukerman and Nancy Mills.

As an active member of the Board of Directors of the Highland Park Community Foundation for the past eleven years and the Foundation Chairman from 2018-2020, Nancy has helped to increase its reach and expand its impact. During her tenure as Chairman, Mills led the Foundation through an intense period of growth that allowed more money to flow back into parts of the community that needed it most. She recalls, “we were implementing a strategic plan where a big part of that was to raise awareness of the Foundation and its role as a trusted partner in our community. We more than doubled our incoming donations. As a result, we were able to put more resources back into our community. The increase in donations allowed the Highland Park Community Foundation to fund more charitable organizations, and our impact has grown exponentially.”

“Nancy has been a driving force in our Foundation – she had a vision that helped us develop a strategic plan and set our sights higher,” said Betsy Brint, the current Chair of the Foundation. “Her energy and drive are amazing. Her leadership helped the community understand the importance of giving close to home and we are grateful for all the hard work and dedication she has shared with us. We are so proud to present her with the 2022 Jack Blane Community Service award in recognition of all she has done to better our community.”