I have participated in 100BMC for several years. You can be what you see, so it is imperative that…read moreyoung black men see and are mentored by successful black men. This organization does TREMENDOUS work serving the community. I am humbled and honored to be a part of something this special. There are mentorship cites in the south and west suburbs and south and west sides of the city. 100BMC.org for more information.

This is my third year that I have attended the 100 black men of Chicago toy drive that is held…read moreannually this year was in commemoration of their 20th year anniversary of doing this event of this magnitude will Patrons come and donate gifts which should value at least $25 or you can pay when you arrive which is about $30 per ticket this includes a buffet and Miller products The night is filled with music holiday decor gift giving socialization and gratitude Some major donations came from Jesse Jackson Sr ,and the Chicago Police Department and some area local black owned businesses

I love the people at Esperanza - that's why they have been around so long in spite of the…read morechallenges of being in a field that is so vastly under-funded and under-appreciated (especially given our current political administration). Everybody here does the most they can with what they have, and they deeply care about every student and adult participant. I'm proud to be a part of this organization, and I'm excited for its future.

Sick of the overzealous class and nursing staff. Also need to stop spreading rumors/gossip to the…read morebus drivers and aides and the judging families of the students; along with violating the HIPPA Privacy of students.

Although St. Leonard's House is a bricks-and-mortar "place," more than that it is a life-changing…read moreexperience. I've been volunteering at SLH (which is affiliated with St. Leonard's Ministries and Episcopal Charities) for about four and a half years, leading a current events discussion group once a month through Chicago Cares. SLH is a residential transitional facility for men released from prison without the resources needed to rebuild their lives. Acceptance is by invitation only, and the guys here have their heads in the right place - taking advantage of the opportunity ahead of them and avoiding at all costs the lives that got them into trouble. SLH has a 6-month program, which includes career training, high school for those who didn't finish, life skills education, substance abuse counseling... Pretty much everything they need. Only about 20% of the men who complete the program become re-incarcerated, whereas more than half of other former inmates go back. I think the strongest testament to the work SLH is doing is that the vast majority of their staff is comprised of people who came there are a resident, completed the program, and later felt driven to give back by leading others through the same program. SLH also relies heavily on volunteerism as they log more volunteer hours than staff hours in any given time frame. There are tons of ways to get involved, and if you do you will see the difference that's being made here. Check out their website and send an email to find out what volunteer opportunities are available. You'll be rewarded.

Love Next! Simply inspiring and refreshing, Next draws out the vibrance and curiousity in all that…read moreobserve. Full of funk, color, metal and creativity, the spread of ideas and theoligies go on and on. When I mean on and on, I mean it both figurtively and litterally...its huge! The Next show sprawls the eighth floor of the Merchandise Mart, a few floors below Art Chicago. Next is part of a larger compilation of shows including Art Chicago and the International Antique Show, making up Artropolis Chicago. It features local and distant artists, galleries, performance art and organizations. I believe that the name is well suited for the show, as it is what is on the left side of now and what is next, after viewing the antiques and contemporary art of the other 2 shows. With that said, in comparison to previous years, it seems as though Art Chicago and Next are growing greatly in similarites. Perhaps that can be attributed to more of an acceptance of what we think of as "low-brow" art and fully beginning to understand that art is just that...art. As such, it is individual, personal and public, and drawn from energy and thought. I like to refer to it as an Avant-garde revival. Evocatively pushing the envelope on the status quo. Wow, so this is what I can use that degree in art history for. Anyway, a fabulous showcase of youthful and eclectic pieces, Next is a show that should be experienced by all. Make sure to watch out for tickets next year so that you too can be inspired.

Next Art Fair for 2009 is, like Art Chicago, housed in the Merchandise Mart, though events are also…read moreoccurring throughout the city. This is more than an art fair, NEXT is a showcase for the world's talents and an adventure in cutting-edge culture. The showcase is promoted as a portal to seeing contemporary art in new, innovative, eye opening ways. It includes both commercial and non-commercial art organizations - galleries, project spaces, art publications and key private contemporary collections from around the world. Unlike Art Chicago, NEXT is a different animal...........and though it was housed just 5 floors below the main event, it had a totally different look and feel. Now I'm a fan of contemporary art, but up to a point. After viewing the classic art on the 12th floor at the Art Chicago preview event I headed down to the 7th floor to view the NEXT artists. First, the noise level was 10 times higher and as much energy and much younger crowd that were trying very hard to push the envelope of fashion at each and every opportunity. There was what I call "live art" where sexy young ladies went walking about the space blowing whistles and carrying baseball bats yelling something to the crowds that I couldn't understand. When I see this type of art I think of the saying, "Different Strokes for Different folks." Though I enjoyed a portion of this space, it was a small portion. The photography was mainly digitally manipulated images, but I think the real treat was the paintings. Some were really great works of art. Unlike the 12th floor where you had to pay for drinks, this floor was giving away many things to attract folks to see the art..........in case you didn't know, give aways are an indication that the art probably isn't as good as one would like as free beer allows you to drink away your inhibitions and look at the art and say, after hiccupping, this isn't such a bad piece of art when in fact if you were sober you'd think otherwise. In addition to free beer (bottles of Grolsch no less) ice cream and pop corn was also being handed out. I think it was the pop corn that really made me think of this event as more of a carnival atmosphere than an art show........and some art made me think is was more of a freak show than a carnival. It was a good time and if you have time between now and May 4th, you should try and check out is event and location.

i signned up to become an artist here and go no email back and they coming facebook messaging me…read morein addtion, telling me my application was accepted. i did not get no email or phone call from them. poor communication

We are lucky to have CAC! Their dedicated staff has a real idea of what artists are looking for…read more Thanks for continuing to support Chicago's diverse artist community.

Great programs, but they don't pay there employees. I worked for them on the Daley College program…read morefor 8 months before I got my first paycheck and I'm owed two more paychecks and now they won't answer my calls or re to my messages. again they do great work just treat there employees like slaves

Non-profit youth leadership program. Bettering the lives of youth by providing the essential…read moreresources needed for everyday life, arranging job and education opportunity, restorative justice, and community outreach. Knowing the work that your doing has true meaning gives an indescribable satisfaction. Working side by side with the most heartwarming and dedicated employees you could ever encounter. Open door policy.

Batey Urbano is a consummate example of what a great radical community of color can dream up to…read moreensure a fundamentally democratic and progressive option for its youth. An ongoing collective of Puerto Rican/neighborhood youth with an internet coffee house, the focuses are on direct democracy, community services, and arts ranging from poetry and hip-hop to much much more. Great spoken word and hip-hop nights and plenty of events, and always a great asset to a community suffering from attacks by gentrification.

If you are going to donate to Girls on the Run in Chicago do it online. They do not send donation…read morereceipts. I have contacted them 3 times, since I mailed our check in October, and it is now December. I have not received any acknowledgment in the mail after sending emails. I tried to call, but the mailbox was full. Great organization for girls, but not very good at letting you know they appreciate your donation.

Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a national non-profit that encourages pre-teen girls to develop healthy…read morehabits and positive body image by teaching them to set goals and run a 5k. In 2006 I trained with Team Tiara, raising money for this organization. I also volunteered at the Wonder Girl 5K--where I was amazed by all the young girls who excitedly completed their first race. As a seasoned runner, I sometimes battle burnout, but seeing all their positive energy was really a kick, and reinforced my own commitment to running. This is a great organization that loves to have volunteers--so if you're looking for some place to donate time (or money), I recommend GOTR!