Each year, Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) honors an individual or organization with the Jack Blane Community Service Award, named for dedicated public servant Jack Blane. The award recognizes those who go above and beyond in serving the Highland Park/Highwood community and improving residents’ lives. Last month, HPCF proudly honored Highland Park High School counselor, Chair of the Board of Directors of Josselyn, and Moraine Township Trustee Pablo Alvarez with the 2024 Jack Blane Community Service Award.

Pablo has been an active community member since moving to Highland Park and becoming a counselor at Highland Park High School in 2008. Of his position at the high school, which he still maintains, Pablo said, “I really enjoy working here because it’s not just about choosing classes or writing a recommendation. It’s about providing a healthy outlet for students to share what they’re going through and helping them manage it. It’s about developing positive connections with the students because high school is such a crucial time in their lives. It’s about helping them navigate the highs, lows, and everything in between. I also enjoy leading our famed chess team that attracts a wide range of diverse students, allowing them to create incredible memories!”

His dedication to his students goes well beyond his position as a counselor, however. Tom Koulentes, former HPHS Principal and current HPCF Board Member, shared how particularly impressed he was by Pablo’s commitment to using his role as a counselor to support students’ success. As an example, Tom highlighted the establishment of the Latino Boys Groups. “One of the most remarkable things he did was to create our Latino Boys Groups. He would meet with boys from each age group once a week and talk about grades, attendance, extracurriculars, etc. What developed were groups of young men who really cared about each other and were committed to supporting each other to get through the challenges of high school.” Creating the Latino Boys Groups is just one of the many ways Pablo has engaged with and impacted students beyond the counselor’s office.

Pablo also looks for ways he can help students beyond the school walls. Through his work, Pablo became aware of Josselyn, a nonprofit that provides community-based mental health care. “I was really amazed by the amount of support they have available for students and families. A lot of times, it’s challenging to find effective counselors and resources for families that are underinsured or uninsured. I accepted a Board position to help fill those gaps and ensure that their client base had access to effective counselors, psychiatrists, and other resources offered by Josselyn.” When reflecting on Pablo’s contributions to the organization, Susan Resko, Josselyn’s CEO and President, said, “Pablo goes above and beyond the typical job description of a Board Chair.” As an example, she said, “We recently received notice of a state grant for Nuestro Josselyn to greatly expand programming. Pablo is very involved in the program expansion and its communications with community partners. He has a special affinity for the program as it directly benefits many of the young people that he works with at the high school. He has been instrumental in ensuring this grant has the maximum impact and benefit for our community’s youth.”

Notably, Pablo’s impact on the community isn’t limited to our younger population. He is both an elected trustee of Moraine Township and Chair of the Township’s Latino Advisory Board. “At Moraine Township, we provide a safety net of services for residents that includes a food pantry and door-to-door van transportation for seniors and disabled residents, along with emergency relief and energy assistance for income-qualified residents. Working with the Latino Advisory Group, I collaborate with other Latino leaders to address the needs of the Latino community in Highland Park and Highwood. I also work with the Park District of Highland Park and previously developed a partnership with the Botanic Garden and Ravinia to benefit our communities. We try to make it so all families can take advantage of the resources in the area to benefit their kids and entire family,” Pablo said. Anne Flanigan Bassi, Moraine Township Supervisor, added, “Pablo is an elected Moraine Township Trustee and Chair of the Township’s Latino Advisory Board, a group of people that work with the Latino community and partner with the Township to try to identify gaps that agencies or the Township can address. Under Pablo’s leadership, the committee has partnered with Ravinia, Botanic Gardens, Park District of Highland Park, and others to make more resources available to our residents.” Pablo was also involved in the Friends for Health Board, and he worked with students at the Highwood Library throughout COVID, helping to supplement the education they were receiving virtually.

The Jack Blane Community Service Award was presented to Pablo at HPCF’s 2024 Gather for Good event on Friday, September 20, at Binny’s Beverage Depot in Highland Park. Beyond honoring Pablo’s dedication to service in the community, through the event, the Board raised funds to support HPCF’s annual grants and awareness about the Foundation’s mission of addressing unmet needs in Highland Park and Highwood—a mission to which Pablo himself is clearly committed.

Highland Park Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) and Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) are excited to announce their new strategic alliance and creation of a new initiative that will benefit local businesses and our community!

The Chamber is known for its dedication to economic development and business advocacy. The HPCF is known for its longstanding commitment to addressing unmet needs and expanding opportunities for all Highland Park and Highwood residents. Bringing their extensive networks and resources to the table, the Chamber and the HPCF have joined forces to create Connecting Commerce with Community, a collaborative effort that will provide valuable resources for businesses and help our community.

“Partnering with HPCF allows us to expand our impact beyond the business community and address broader social issues that affect us all,” said Chamber President & CEO, Lori Rubin Dekalo. “Together, we can create a more vibrant and inclusive community.”

“This partnership will enhance our efforts to address the many real needs in our community,” added Terri Olian, Executive Director of the HPCF. “By increasing our base of support, we will be able to provide greater assistance where it’s needed most. We will also be helping our local businesses through ongoing promotions that are integral to all of our sponsorship programs.”

The Need

Highland Park is often described as an affluent North Shore suburb. While there are many in the community of significant means, there are also residents who face daily challenges. These run the gamut from food and housing insecurity, lack of access to quality childcare services, mental health issues, seniors needing help with daily routines and transportation, and more.

Significant Ancillary Benefits to Participating Businesses

• Brand Reputation: Corporate philanthropy enhances a company’s reputation. It shows the business cares about more than just profits; it also cares about the well-being of the community.
• Customer Loyalty: Customers appreciate businesses that give back to the community. They are more likely to remain loyal to a brand that shows commitment to local causes.
• Employee Engagement and Satisfaction: Employees feel proud to work for a company that is actively involved in making a positive impact in the community, boosting morale and employee satisfaction.
• Talent Attraction: Companies that are socially responsible and community-oriented are often more attractive to job seekers. Potential employees are drawn to organizations that prioritize giving back.
• Strengthening the Local Economy: Investing in the community contributes to its economic growth. This creates a ripple effect, benefiting other local businesses and residents.
• Enhanced Visibility and Growth: Participation in the program will enhance a business’s visibility and provide access to valuable resources that will help it grow and thrive.

Through this exciting program, local businesses will help nurture children, strengthen families, assist older adults, support individuals with disabilities, develop leadership skills and academic confidence in teens, enhance artistic experiences, and more. To learn more, contact Steve Schapiro, HPCF’s Director of Philanthropy, at steve@hpcfil.org or 847-804-7127, or Lori Dekalo, President & CEO at Lori@chamberhp.com or 847-432-0284. We look forward to making a lasting positive impact in our community through this groundbreaking partnership!

Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is incredibly excited to share that our community will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend a local production of Les Misérables this summer! Les Misérables (Les Mis) is the world’s longest running musical and known to be one of the greatest musicals ever created. Sir Cameron Mackintosh – the original producer of Les Mis – personally granted an exceptional license to HPCF grant recipient Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park to produce the show, based on his desire to help our community continue to heal after the Highland Park shooting.

Local theaters in the U.S. are not permitted to license and perform Les Misérables; only infrequent Broadway performances and national tours have ever been allowed. However, after Jamie Davidson, Founder and President of Uptown Music Theater, made a personal plea to Sir Cameron Mackintosh, he generously granted the license. “Mackintosh specifically expressed his desire to help our community continue to heal and move forward from the shooting. This musical has lasted such a long time because it causes us to think, to reflect, to discuss together – which can help our community move forward with positivity,” added Jamie. “This unique opportunity is meaningful not only for Uptown Music Theater, but for our community as a whole.”

Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Mis tells Victor Hugo’s enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption. With its humanistic themes of justice, community, faith, and perseverance, it is a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. With a magnificent score that includes “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” “Master of the House,” it is no wonder that this epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history.

Les Mis will be performed with a live 20-piece orchestra at the brand new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center at Deerfield Highland School. There will be 10 performances, starting Friday, July 26, 2024, and ending Sunday, August 11. Friday and Saturday night shows will start at 7pm; Sunday matinees at 2pm; and for the final weekend of the performance, there will be an additional showing on Thursday at 7pm. Proceeds from the show will benefit HPCF’s Highland Park Shooting Recovery Fund.

Uptown Music Theater was founded in 2019 to provide meaningful and accessible music theater for the Highland Park and Highwood community. “We have an educational purpose, we’re a professional theater, and we try to create an environment where our actors and technicians have an opportunity to learn and grow. We have a community focus, perform in Highland Park, and welcome graduates of the Highland Park High School Theater Program as performers and technicians. Uptown Music Theater brings musical theater directly to the community by providing a safe space for people to come together and inspire creativity,” further explained Jamie.

The significance of the theater in the community cannot be understated. The performing arts bring culture and color to Highland Park and Highwood, making life in our community more vibrant. Uptown Music Theater has been an integral part of bringing the arts to the community over the past four years, and has been supported by HPCF grant funding since its creation.

Uptown Music Theater will donate a portion of the proceeds raised through the performances to the Foundation’s Shooting Recovery Fund. Jamie said he was “inspired to give something back, so we reached out to the Community Foundation. We wondered if there was an opportunity to pay it forward. When we found out that the Highland Park Shooting Recovery Fund was still accepting donations, we decided that Uptown’s performance of Les Mis could financially benefit the fund. The HPCF has supported us and our mission since we began, and we’re incredibly grateful to have been a grantee each year. We have a really strong relationship with the foundation and look forward to maintaining that for years to come.”

Uptown Music Theater strives to make its shows accessible for everyone and offers discounts to seniors, children, and those who cannot afford full-priced tickets. Les Mis will be co-produced by Jamie Davidson and Larry Mason, Secretary and Co-Founder of Uptown Music Theater, and directed by Scott Shallenbarger. Complementary tickets will be provided for victims and first responders. To purchase tickets and for additional information, visit umthp.org

Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) recently launched its Aiming High for Highwood grassroots fundraising campaign, aimed at rallying Highwood businesses to support the community’s most pressing needs. As part of the campaign, HPCF reached out to Highwood businesses through letters, emails, and phone calls. A special thank you goes to local business owner Lenny Innocenzi, whose dedication and leadership were pivotal in securing the participation of both small and large businesses in this important effort.

“A lot of the organizations that the Foundation invests in to improve the community directly benefit a large number of Highwood residents, including Tri-Con Child Care Center, Nuestro Center-Josselyn, the Highwood Public Library, and many others. However, not everyone is aware of the HPCF’s involvement, and it’s crucial that more people understand the scope of its work,” Lenny shared, reflecting on the significance of this campaign in raising awareness about HPCF’s commitment to Highwood. As a long-time Highwood business owner, Lenny worked tirelessly to connect with fellow local business owners, ensuring they understood the Foundation’s vital role in addressing unmet community needs through its grant funding for nonprofits. Thanks to his dedication, more than a dozen businesses have stepped up to support HPCF, reinvesting in the community they serve.

Lenny Innocenzi

“Aiming High for Highwood helps to drive awareness and connect our small business community to HPCF,” says Jim Hospodarsky, Highwood Alderperson and HPCF Liaison. “Gaining their support is extremely important as HPCF continues to fund organizations that directly impact Highwood residents. I am thrilled with the progress we’ve made and grateful for the success of this initiative so far.” Steve Schapiro, HPCF’s Director of Philanthropy, added, “The goal of this campaign is twofold: to raise awareness and to raise funds that can be reinvested in the community. With the generous gifts we’ve received, we will be able to provide grant funding to local organizations that benefit a large number of Highwood residents. These additional resources will help support residents in need, as the money raised will go back into the community through our annual grants.”

HPCF is honored to have received generous donations from a number of local Highwood businesses in support of the inaugural Aiming High for Highwood fundraising campaign. Thanks to their generosity, the Foundation will be able to further its mission of addressing unmet needs in the community. The growing list of businesses that have contributed includes 28 Mile Distilling, ABLAZE Design Group, Del Rio Restaurant, Anonymous, D’s Coffee Shop, Highwood American Legion, IC Signs & Graphics, JD Pizza (DBA Buffo’s), Law Offices of Diambri & Caravello, Maria’s Italian Bakery & Caffe, Joy & Lenny Innocenzi, Jerry’s Liquors, Pastificio, Sandy’s Restaurant, and The VITI Companies.

Several businesses that donated shared why they believed the campaign––and the Foundation as a whole––are essential to improving the lives of Highwood residents. “At ABLAZE Design Group, we believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting our future leaders. We are proud to contribute to the Aiming High for Highwood campaign, helping to provide opportunities for local students to thrive. As a family-owned business rooted in the Highland Park community, we are committed to giving back and fostering growth and success for the next generation,” said Ava Markoutsas one of the owners of the ABLAZE Design Group, which is co-owned by George Markoutsas and David Lipsky. Cory Hock, owner of IC Signs and Graphics, added, “As a small business owner of IC Signs & Graphics for the last 16 years, I know every dollar counts, and it’s foundations like Highland Park Community Foundation that go above and beyond expectations for our community! We are proud to support our community and its people!”

HPCF is deeply grateful for the donations from the Highwood business community, as well as for the generosity of a Highwood resident who provided a $2,500 matching gift. Their contributions will help address critical needs in the Highland Park–Highwood community. The Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported this effort to date.

For over 30 years, the Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) has provided annual grants to nonprofits and governmental agencies that support residents and enhance the vitality of the Highland Park and Highwood community. These grants focus on maintaining and enhancing programs for residents that pertain to education, human services, senior services, services for individuals with disabilities, and the creative & cultural arts.

Creative and Cultural Arts

Arts and culture are not luxuries, they are essential commodities with social, economic, and health benefits. They add vibrancy to our lives and community. We are proud of the fine arts, music, writing, and literature programs and resources available to Highland Park and Highwood residents. For our community to reap their full benefits, however, there needs to be equitable access to them and expanded opportunities for their growth.

HPCF is pleased to support and promote creativity at a grassroots level by investing in recurring festivals, events, and programs that promote arts and cultural participation, celebrate diversity, foster connections, and provide creative experiences for residents of all ages. These activities benefit individuals and families and build a better and stronger community.

HPCF Grantee: Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts

Education

Education brings dreams to life, creates lifelong learners, engages tomorrow’s leaders, and more. Early childhood education promises long-term and long-lasting benefits for individuals and society as a whole. Extracurricular activities improve academic performance, create self-esteem, promote the development of social and emotional growth, and provide essential life skills.

There are Highland Park and Highwood residents who cannot afford to send their young children to preschool or enroll their older students in after-school or weekend activities. There are parents who need after-school care for their children so they can work later hours to make ends meet. Our public schools and local nonprofits help, but even they require additional money to run the programs these families need and deserve. We are proud to make the impossible possible by providing critical gap funding for programs that nurture our community’s youngest learners and strengthen their families.

HPCF Grantee: JCYS George W. Lutz Family Center

Human Services

Organizations such as local food banks, legal aid clinics, mental health providers, agencies that assist with housing, and organizations that serve youth and older adults are the glue that holds communities together. Qualified professionals who focus on issues that promote positive functioning in a community are essential to creating and delivering these programs and services. While there are some very well-known and well-funded human service organizations, many of the organizations that deliver critically needed services for Highland Park and Highwood residents fly below the radar and struggle financially to meet their needs. At the same time, children and adults who receive human service assistance face significant health and safety risks if the organizations they turn to have insufficient funding and support.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, HPCF is proud to provide funding for organizations and programs that provide critically needed human services for our residents.

HPCF Grantee: Big Brothers Big Sisters

Senior Services

Seniors deserve the opportunity to age in place, be safe in their homes, and enjoy life in our community. Being active and engaged also improves their social, emotional, and physical health. Yet, they often need help with daily routines, getting around town, participating in activities, and connecting with friends.

Finding the help they need, determining how to pay for it, solving legal issues, and discovering community support are also challenges for many seniors. These issues dissipate, however, when adequate and appropriate programming is accessible and affordable.

We are committed to ensuring positive outcomes and improving the overall quality of life for all residents of Highland Park and Highwood, and are proud to provide funding for organizations and programs that serve our senior residents.

HPCF Grantee: Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers

Services for Individuals with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities and their families seek programs and services of all kinds. The opportunities they pursue promote mental, emotional, and physical health; independent living; and a better quality of life. All individuals living with disabilities deserve to live with dignity and have the supports they need to fully participate in our community.

Still, there are residents with disabilities who find themselves on wait lists for services and programs. Many have trouble accessing housing, transportation, respite, personal assistance, and day services – all of which are critical to maintaining a purposeful life and one in which they are contributing to our community and making it a great place to live. Inadequate funding for services and programs has devastating effects on these individuals and their families as well as the greater community.

HPCF supports organizations that work to make our community inclusive and accessible to all. Our grants in this area have expanded to include programs that provide art therapy, respite for parents, and independent living in our community.

HPCF Grantee: Center for Enriched Living

Each year, the Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) awards grants to local organizations that provide essential services to the Highland Park-Highwood community. On October 19th, the Foundation awarded 63 grants, totaling, $746,925—an astonishing $133,725 more than in 2021. This year marks the largest number of dollars allocated, as well as the largest number of grant awards.

Reflecting on the needs of the community, HPCF Chair Betsy Brint describes why she believes these grants make a meaningful difference for all Highland Park and Highwood residents. “The July 4th shooting dramatically increased immediate needs in our community. We are grateful to the thousands of compassionate donors who stepped up and helped us provide funding to alleviate some of the financial strains on the organizations who provided much-needed services to victims of the shooting.” She continues, “At the same time, we knew there were a multitude of other community needs and didn’t want to let those go unaddressed. We thus continued our work on our annual grants while also working on the Response Fund. Addressing educational needs of children, food and housing issues for families, transportation needs of seniors, and needs of individuals with disabilities so they feel included in the community are just some of the needs our grants will address.”

HPCF Grant Recipient Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB): HPCF Board Chair Betsy Brint and Board Member Karen Reisin and other volunteers at a weekly NIFB food distribution

The HPCF 2022 annual grant recipients include: 112 Education Foundation, A Safe Place, Anixter Center, BellaRu Catering, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts, Blessings in a Backpack Highland Park, Cancer Wellness Center, Catholic Charities – Lake County Senior Services, Center for Enriched Living, Collaborative Community Housing Initiative, College Bound Opportunities, Community – The Anti-Drug Coalition, Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Cradles to Crayons, Curt’s Café, Direct Giving Lab, East on Central Association, Family Focus HP, Family Service of Lake County, Focus on the Arts, Glenkirk, GPF Foundation , Gratitude Generation, Highland Park After Prom, Highland Park Community Early Learning Center, Highland Park Historical Society, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park Strings, Highwood Public Library, HPHS – Estudiante to Student Mentor Program, HPHS – Homework Club, HPHS – National Hispanic Institute, Infinity Foundation, JCFS Chicago Response for Teens, Jewish Council for Youth Services – 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, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Operation Warm, Parks Foundation of Highland Park, Pilgrim Chamber Players, Roberti Community House, SaLT – Project Shop N’ Drop, Save a Star Drug Awareness Foundation, Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers, Stuart I Raskas Friendship Circle of Illinois, The Art Center Highland Park, The Balance Project, Tri-Con Child Care Center, United Way of Lake County, Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park, Willow House, Working Together, Youth Services, Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center.

This year’s grant recipients recently shared what HPCF’s grant means to their organization and what they hope to accomplish in the community. “Many people in our community are unaware that one in four North Shore School District 112 students qualify as low-income and are eligible for the Federal Free/Reduced Lunch program. These students eat meals at school during the week but may have limited food on weekends. Since 2013 Blessings in a Backpack has provided weekend food bags to more than 150 students from Highland Park and Highwood. Grants from organizations like the HPCF directly fund the non-perishable, kidfriendly food that is sent home each week,” said Melisa Septon, Volunteer Program Coordinator for Blessings in a Backpack.

Survivors of Domestic Violence at a Safe Place Event

Robin Byster, Executive Director of the Highland Park Community Early Learning Center, when considering how this grant impacted the organization replied, “thanks to the HPCF, our program continues to be strong and has bounced back in all ways from the worst of the pandemic. We are still managing through the trauma that COVID created in many families as well the incident on the 4th of July. The HPCF continues to allow us to offer childcare to families who are experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic or other types of family stressors but do not qualify for state childcare assistance.” The Director of Account Management at Operation Warm, Richard Lalley, also illustrated the significance of the funding to the families of Highland Park and Highwood; “HPCF’s grant helps provide new winter coats and shoes to economically disadvantage students in District 112. These gifts will bring warmth, confidence and hope to these children and their families. COVID, and now high inflation have made for Survivors of Domestic Violence at a Safe Place Event difficult choices for these families. Now they won’t have to worry about these basic needs for their children.”

In times of hardship and change such as the past few years, it is more important than ever to lean on one’s community. The annual grants provided by the HPCF, funded by its generous donors and a $300,000 grant from the City of Highland Park, ensure that our community remains tight-knit, strong, and welcoming for all its citizens.

As we enter 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect on the milestones and achievements of the past year that have made a meaningful difference in Highland Park and Highwood. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our Board members, and the vital services provided by the organizations we support, Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) has been able to address many of the community’s unmet needs. Looking forward, we are excited for another year of kindness, community spirit, and impactful change.

The Foundation kicked off the year by recognizing Highland Park’s police, firefighters, and public works staff for their tireless efforts. Our MLK Day of Service Project brought together local children, Board members, and community volunteers to create and deliver care packages to these dedicated public servants. This annual project provides a fun opportunity for the Foundation and the entire community to express our gratitude for the essential work these individuals do to keep Highland Park and Highwood safe, beautiful, and welcoming for all residents.

MLK Day of Service Project

May was a month of exciting events, starting with Cocktails and Conversations, which brought together members of HPCF’s three boards, our grantees, Corporate and Foundation Champions, and several leaders from Highland Park and Highwood. In May, we also had the privilege of honoring Highland Park High School (HPHS) physical education teacher Sarah Douglas with this year’s HPCF Golden Apple Award, and HPHS graduating senior Katerina Shutman with the HPCF Personal Achievement Award.

Sara Sher, HPCF Golden Apple Committee Chair, with Sarah Douglas, 2024 Award Recipient

Throughout 2024, HPCF saw internal growth, with both the Governing Board and Associate Leadership Council (ALC) welcoming new members. “We were thrilled to welcome Cere Woods and ALC co-chair Ashley Kelly to the Governing Board mid-year, and Bonnie Mervis and Tami Gilbert in the late fall,” noted Laurie Levin, HPCF Board Chair. The ALC also expanded in 2024, bringing on Ken Sabino, Andrew Sigesmund, and Zachary Harris, with Eric Zoberman also rejoining the board. With these additions, the ALC updated its mission statement to better guide its social, community service, and fundraising goals. In the spring, the Foundation also welcomed Steve Schapiro as the new Director of Philanthropy, bringing years of philanthropic experience and fresh ideas to our organization.

In early summer, the Foundation distributed a second round of Recovery Fund grants, totaling $127,500, to organizations continuing to address the needs of community members impacted by the Highland Park shooting. Funding for these grants came from individual donors, corporate matches, participants in the June Highland Park Half Marathon, 5K, and 1-mile races, as well as the November Highland Park Turkey Trot, and the August Rock the Ride for Gun Violence Prevention.

For Board members, the summer was filled with grant work. After the July 15 application deadline, they spent weeks reviewing submissions, meeting with applicants, and making important funding decisions. Their dedicated efforts led to the awarding of $873,075 in Annual Grants to 65 organizations—a significant increase from the previous year’s total of $784,825. These grants, which support nonprofits addressing the needs of Highland Park and Highwood residents, were distributed in October at The Art Center Highland Park, a long-standing HPCF grantee.

The summer was also filled with great music at Food Truck Thursdays and the Wednesday Ravinia Farmers Market in Jens Jensen Park, both of which were supported by HPCF funding. Additionally, we participated in Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market and Highland Park’s National Night Out.

In September, the Foundation hosted its fifth annual Gather for Good fundraising event, raising nearly $260,000. The event was generously hosted by Binny’s Beverage Depot in Highland Park, where guests enjoyed a fun and lively evening, with food graciously provided by 25 local restaurants. Pablo Alvarez was honored with the 2024 Jack Blane Community Service Award for his unwavering dedication to improving the community, from his work as a Highland Park High School guidance counselor to his service as a Moraine Township Trustee. We could not think of a more deserving candidate.

2024 Gather for Good

In the fall, the Foundation also co-hosted “The Art of Communication,” the seventh seminar for nonprofits sponsored by HPCF in partnership with First Bank of Highland Park and the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce. During this seminar, a distinguished panel of experts shared valuable insights, tools, and strategies to help nonprofits communicate more effectively with their audiences and advance their missions.

2024 Nonprofit Seminar, The Art of Communication

Lastly, in 2024, we made a small but meaningful change that underscores our longstanding commitment to both Highland Park and Highwood. After more than thirty years of serving residents from both zip codes, we updated our logo to include the subline Strengthening Highland Park and Highwood since 1992. This addition “reinforces our commitment to addressing the unmet needs of both communities while also highlighting the Foundation’s role as a unifying force between them,” explained Laurie.

Updated Highland Park Community Foundation Logo

2024 was a banner year for HPCF, marked by significant milestones, deeper community engagement, and meaningful internal growth. We awarded more Annual Grants and provided more funding than ever before, participated in and hosted events that brought both residents and grantees closer together, and experienced positive changes within the Foundation that will help us continue to serve the community effectively. As we look ahead, we are excited to build on this momentum. We will continue to seek new ways to deepen our partnerships and ensure we are meeting the evolving needs of Highland Park and Highwood, further strengthening our impact.

Seniors deserve the opportunity to age in place, be safe in their homes, and enjoy life in our community. Being active and engaged also improves their social, emotional, and physical health. Yet, they often need help with daily routines, getting around town, participating in activities, and connecting with friends. Finding the help they need, determining how to pay for it, solving legal issues, and discovering community support are also challenges for many seniors. These issues dissipate, however, when appropriate programming is accessible and affordable. Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is committed to ensuring positive outcomes and improving the overall quality of life for all Highland Park and Highwood residents, including older adults.

There are a number of programs and services available for older adults in our community, such as those offered by Highland Park’s Senior Center. However, for seniors 85 years of age and older, who have compromised mobility or cognitive impairment, there is a resource gap. That’s where Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers, one of HPCF’s grant recipients, focuses its work. “The kind of services that are out there don’t always fulfill seniors’ needs. For example, those with compromised mobility need assistance when leaving the home — our volunteers go to their door, help them to the car, and provide escorted transportation for errands they need to run. Our volunteers are trained and supervised to carry out this sort of escorted transportation that is not offered by anyone else in the community,” said Robbie Boudreau, Executive Director

Faith in Action Volunteers is about more than escorted transportation, however. Their programs and services fill gaps in four areas of unmet needs: transportation, social support, behavioral health, and resource counseling. In terms of social support, for example, Faith in Action founded a group known as the Supportive Older Women’s Network (SOWN) where women come together in social settings for activities like dinners, women’s discussion groups, and pet therapy. “We identified that there were a number of older women who needed to start developing a family of friends to lean on, so we started SOWN to help facilitate that.” Additionally, Faith in Action offers a Movement and Balance class in the Frank Peers building to remove obstacles that impede older adults from incorporating age-appropriate fitness into their lives.

HPCF Grant Recipient Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers

500 community members. “The HPCF has helped with capacity building and has allowed us to create new programs. We became a dementia friendly business, and we now have some dementia friendly special services in addition to having volunteers who are dementia friends that can provide special resource counseling to family caregivers. Additionally, we have a family caregiver support group.”

Faith in Action Volunteers is a non-denominational and inter-faith, volunteer-based organization. “Volunteers come from a variety of different churches and synagogues as well as coming from the community in general. We are always looking for additional volunteers to help us grow and reach more seniors in the community,” Robbie added.

Seniors also need places to safely engage in physical activity and express themselves artistically and spiritually. HPCF grant recipient, Time to Dance, focuses on just that, providing adults 50 years old and above a safe space to take ballet, dance fitness, modern, and tap dance classes. Co-Founder Lynne Belsky notes that “Seniors in any community can have problems with isolation and interconnectedness, and it can be hard for our older population to get the exercise that their doctors recommend. So, on a basic level, that’s what we do: provide a community of people who can move together and improve their wellbeing in mental, social, and physical ways.” Lynne, a professional dancer, along with Lisa Gold, dance educator and owner of Highland Park’s North Shore School of Dance, realized this shared vision by creating the nonprofit, Time to Dance.

With the support of HPCF grant funding, Time to Dance is offering a “Free Day of Dance” for adults 50 and up on Sunday, April 14. Morning and afternoon sessions, each with an 80-person capacity, will include 20-minute trial segments of the four types of dance classes they offer. Registration is available on the Time to Dance website, time-to-dance.org. Over the past six years, Time to Dance has grown substantially, recruiting new students and teachers, and starting new classes to reach an even greater number of older adults. It has also, in a relatively short time, developed into an influential organization that positively impacts its students, as attested to by student Caryn Newburger, “Going to class is the highlight of my day. The positive feeling that comes from it carries with me for the rest of the day.”

HPCF Grant Recipient Time to Dance

In addition to offering dance classes, Time to Dance participates in outreach events at a number of senior living and memory care facilities. “Our students have an opportunity to perform at these events, and we also get people there to join in and dance with us. It gives our students a goal to work toward throughout the year and encourages even more seniors to sign up for classes,” said Lynne

Lynne said she hopes to expand their offerings by adding a basic beginning class. “Our beginning ballet class has been going on for six years now and is a huge hit. All of our classes are drop in and it can be difficult for a new person to walk in and just start learning, so we’re ready to add a basic beginning class.” Lynne also noted that, “Scholarships are available for community members if they contact us about it. We believe no one should be turned away based on their ability to pay.” Finally, Lynne recognizes how important safe movement practices can be for seniors. “I’m a physician and a physical therapist, and we have taken education on safe dance practices. People feel more comfortable because we adapt the classes and the moves to what they can do.”

HPCF’s Board is grateful for all Time to Dance and Faith in Action Volunteers do forHighland Park and Highwood seniors. To learn more about them and our other grant recipients, visit hpcfil.org.

The Highland Park Community Foundation (HCPF) recently awarded 63 grants, totaling $784,825, to organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for Highland Park and Highwood residents. These grants will be used to address the educational, human service, creative, and cultural arts needs of young children, teens, families, single adults, individuals with disabilities, and seniors in our community and expand opportunities for all residents. The awards topped all previous annual grant award distributions and were announced on October 25th at an event the HPCF held for its grant recipients.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to address unmet needs in Highland Park and Highwood. Our grant process is a rigorous and intensive team effort involving every single board member,” says Eric Ephraim, Grants Committee Chair, speaking to the importance of the grants to strengthening the community. He continues, “we are grateful for the very generous financial support from individuals, families, foundations, and businesses – as well as the City of Highland Park – who entrust us to find the most effective organizations to serve our neighbors. This helps ensure opportunities for success and lives of dignity for as many in our community as possible. That’s how our community foundation can be a foundation for the community.”

The HPCF 2023 annual grant recipients include: the 112 Education Foundation, A Safe Place, Anixter Center, Art Impact Project, Arts of Life, Bella Ru Catering, 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, Family Focus HP, Family Service of Glencoe, Focus on the Arts, Glenkirk, GPF Foundation, Gratitude Generation, Heart of the City, Highland Park Community Early Learning Center, Highland Park Historical Society, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park Strings, Highwood Public Library & Community Center, HP After Prom, HPHS – Estudiante to Student Mentor Program, HPHS – Homework Club, HPHS – National Hispanic Institute, Infinity Foundation, JCFS Chicago Response for Teens, 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, Operation Warm, Parks Foundation of Highland Park, Pilgrim Chamber Players, Roberti Community House, SaLT – Service and Learning Together, Save a Star Drug Awareness Foundation, Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers, The Art Center Highland Park, 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 readily shared the significance of the grants to their organizations as well as what they plan to accomplish with their funding. “Keeping Families Covered has been blessed to receive a grant from the Highland Park Community Foundation for the past few years. The funding supports our important work to provide individuals and families with the basics they need to thrive. Like many local nonprofit and social service organizations, we continue to see an increase in requests for help with essentials like diapers, formula, and period products. Demand for our programs has doubled since 2020, and the cost to keep our shelves stocked is higher. We are grateful for the Foundation’s belief in our mission and continued investment in programs that provide much needed assistance to the most vulnerable residents in the community,” said Ann Marie Mathis, Founder & CEO of Keeping Families Covered.

Reflecting upon the impact of The Art Center Highland Park’s grant, James Lynch, Executive Director, said, “The HPCF is the hub of the wheel for our and other not-for-profit organizations in Highland Park and Highwood. Their support empowers us to add more community-building programs to our schedule and to keep striving for new ways to be current, active, and relevant. We consider them one of our most urgent partners.” Nancy Bulzoni, Executive Director of Cancer Wellness Center, stated, “We are proud partners of the Highland Park Community Foundation addressing the unmet needs of all Highland Park and Highwood residents as we expand cancer support services to reach more people. The Cancer Wellness Center helps people affected by cancer find a way forward. Support from the Foundation helps provide counseling and support group services to those facing cancer – patients, survivors, and their loved ones. As a nonprofit that relies on donations, we are grateful for every dollar we receive, and support from the community we serve is even more special.”

The annual grants the HPCF provides not only fortify individuals, they strengthen our community as a whole. The HPCF thanks its generous donors as well as the City of Highland Park for supporting its mission and furthering its vision of an inclusive, well-rounded, and vibrant community where residents’ lives are enriched through its philanthropic efforts.

HPCF Grant Recipient Bitter Jester Music Festival, 2023 Preliminary Concert Photo by Alex Glassman

HPCF Grant Recipient 112 Education Foundation, Robotics Tournament

HPCF Grant Recipient Highwood Library, Book Buffet

HPCF Grant Recipient Josselyn, Counseling Session

HPCF Grant Recipient Roberti Community House, Food Distribution

HPCF Grant Recipient Southeast Lake County Faith in Action, Senior Care

HPCF Grant Recipient Tri Con Child Care Center, Learning through Play

Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is thrilled to welcome Tami Gilbert and Bonnie Mervis to our Board of Directors, along with Zach Harris, Ken Sabino, and Andrew Sigesmund to our Associate Leadership Council (ALC). Thanks to the dedication of community members like Tami, Bonnie, Zach, Ken, and Andrew, our mission to address unmet needs in Highland Park and Highwood continues to flourish. Their passion and commitment inspire us as we begin a year of impactful work, starting with Treats for the Streets, HPCF’s ALC-led project for the City of Highland Park’s annual MLK Day of Service event.

Bonnie Mervis

Bonnie Mervis is a lifelong Highland Park resident who grew up in the community and returned to stay in 1976. She worked as a social worker at Indian Trail Elementary School for 23 years––a role she cherished and one that gave her a deep understanding of the needs within our community. Now retired, Bonnie previously ran a private practice in Highland Park and has an extensive background in training school social workers. Her involvement with the HPCF began after volunteering at the Foundation’s 2024 Gather for Good fall fundraiser. “I was really moved by the experience,” she recalls. “I saw people from the schools I worked at and people that I grew up with; I just felt like this is where I belong, and this is what I want to do.” Reflecting on her decision to join the Board of Directors, Bonnie shared, “I am really proud of Highland Park and Highwood, I think this is an amazing community, and I believe the Board of the Foundation is a big part of that.”

Tami Gilbert

Tami Gilbert brings over three decades of experience in the healthcare sector as a Registered Nurse with an MBA in Nursing Administration. Her expertise provides a valuable perspective on fostering a healthier community and encouraging healthy habits–– something she is deeply passionate about. A Highland Park resident since 2009, Tami has raised her children in the community and is eager to channel her dedication to community development into her new role as an HPCF Board Member. Sharing what excites her most as a new Board member, Tami said “I am looking forward to the type of collaborative work that comes with this position. There are so many amazing organizations in the community working to improve the quality of life of the residents of Highland Park and Highwood, and I am excited to serve as a liaison between them and the Foundation.”

Zach Harris

The Foundation is also honored to welcome Zach Harris, Ken Sabino, and Andrew Sigesmund to the ALC, a group of dedicated future community leaders committed to advancing HPCF’s vision. Zach, a Highland Park native, returned to the community in 2020 after completing medical school and residency on the East Coast. Since then, he has established a psychiatry practice in Highland Park and dedicates his free time to giving back to the community where he was raised. Reflecting on his decision to join the ALC, Zach shared, “Coming back to Highland Park, I wanted to be more a part of the community, to connect with folks, to embrace some of the things that make this a really special place that maybe you don’t realize when you’re a teenager growing up here.” He added, “The ALC is a great chance to get to know some of the other members of the Foundation who are younger and trying to figure out what their relationship with philanthropy in the community looks like.”

Ken Sabino

In addition to Zach, we are thrilled to welcome Ken Sabino to the ALC. Ken, who has lived in the Highland Park and Highwood community since 2021 with his wife and four-year- old son, works as a Residential Real Estate Agent with Baird & Warner, helping individuals and families find homes in the Chicagoland area. His recent decision to join the ALC was driven by his desire to give where he lives, investing time and effort back into the community where he is raising his son. “I love Highland Park, and I have been meaning to get involved philanthropically for a while now because we are so grateful for everything this community offers. I finally got to a point in my life where I was able to dedicate time to giving back, and I wanted to take advantage of that,” Ken said. He added, reflecting on the importance of his role in the Foundation, “I have really enjoyed getting to know the grant recipient organizations that provide vital services to the community. It has been very rewarding to be a part of that process.”

Andrew Sigesmund

Joining Zach and Ken is Andrew Sigesmund, a longtime Highland Park resident and successful entrepreneur. After returning to the community in 2011 to raise his family and grow his business, AMS Staffing, Inc., Andrew sought a way to give back. “I wanted to join the ALC as a way to show my children the importance of community,” he said. “Being part of the Foundation allows me to give back to the amazing community that has given so much to my family. Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed incredible strength in the Highland Park and Highwood community, especially in difficult times, and I wanted to be directly involved in supporting the efforts that HPCF fosters.”

Zach, Ken, and Andrew will join other ALC members in spearheading this year’s MLK Day of Service project, which reflects the Foundation’s commitment to community support and gratitude. Led this year by the ALC, HPCF’s project brings together local children, members of its Boards, and community volunteers to assemble and deliver care packages to Highland Park and Highwood’s hardworking Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments.

Eric Zoberman

ALC Co-Chair Eric Zoberman explained, “Treats for the Streets is our way of recognizing and thanking first responders for all they do to support our community. During the event, children and adults create heartfelt notes for the recipients, expressing gratitude for keeping us safe. We include the notes in care packages filled with treats, designed to offer a quick pick-me-up during an emergency or on a cold, winter night. At the end of the event, we deliver the packages to the Departments as an additional way to express our gratitude.”

This annual project provides a fun and meaningful opportunity for the Foundation and the community to show their appreciation for the essential work these individuals do to keep Highland Park and Highwood safe, beautiful, and welcoming for all residents.

The City’s MLK Day of Service program will take place on Monday, February 17th at the Highland Park Recreation Center. The event will begin at 10 AM and end at 12:30 PM. For more information about the event, visit the City of Highland Park’s MLK Day page. To learn about the new members of HPCF’s Board of Directors and ALC, visit hpcfil.org.