Foster Progress

From our Founder & Executive Director, Kate Danielson:

Visiting DC last week for the MENTOR National Mentoring Summit was laden with conflicting feelings for me as I took long (and very cold) walks around our nation's capital after hours with my husband. It was upsetting to see the National Guard patrolling, infuriating to see cranes around the partially destroyed White House, and the lack of my Hispanic peers in attendance at the summit was noticeable. The sharp divisions in our country right now were unexpectedly mirrored in the materials about Lincoln's assassination at the Ford Theater, and in the engraved Second Inaugural Address at the Lincoln Memorial. Lincoln was trying to sew back together a deeply divided nation after the Civil War, a task for which he paid the ultimate personal sacrifice.

But these monuments also represent the much longer timeline of our nation's history and its ups and downs. While I can't say I felt hopeful just yet, nor that the sacrifices will have been worth it, I was also reminded that our country has survived its dark periods before; its people overcoming unimaginable hardship. The National Museum of African American History and Culture was a beautiful source of inspiration.

And this particular conference was inspiring - good people doing good, important work. Mentoring is all about solving human problems with human connection, one person at a time. Between the photos here are the quotes I collected from the speakers, which I'll bring back to Chicago and the work we do at Foster Progress with renewed energy to make a difference here and now.

TOMORROW IS GAME DAY! 🏈🔥
If you’re feeling the Super Bowl electricity already, don’t miss out on the MOST fun way to be part of it — Super Bowl Squares!

Squares are just $10, and every square helps Foster Progress support foster youth as they work toward college success. 🙌

So grab your snacks. Grab your friends.
And grab your squares! www.foster-progress.org/super-bowl-squares

Early Access tickets are now available for the 10th Anniversary Horizon Gala, an unforgettable evening honoring a decade of empowering youth in foster care. Guests will enjoy an elegant seated dinner, an exciting silent auction, and lively dancing, all while hearing powerful stories from students whose lives have been changed through Foster Progress.

Join us on May 2, from 6pm-10pm. Tickets and packages are available at www.foster-progress.org/horizon-gala

Super Bowl is coming… which means snacks, commercials, yelling at the TV… and Super Bowl Squares! 🏈🎉

Squares are just $10, and they support Foster Progress as we help foster youth thrive in college and beyond. Grab a square, cheer for your numbers, and enjoy knowing you’re part of something good while you watch the game.

Get yours today! 👉 www.foster-progress.org/super-bowl-squares