It takes Big Shoulders to carry a child's dreams.
In the midst of gloom, a single
little candle casts
a flicker of hope.
2020 Calendar Year Like No Other
When the pandemic disrupted education as we knew it, Big Shoulders Fund principals, teachers, and team members hit the ground running and haven’t looked back. Read more about being “future forward” for students in this article from Kristin Ziemke, Big Shoulders Fund Learning Innovation Specialist.
In 2019, a $16 million gift from Beth and Bruce White launched the Northwest Indiana Initiative to support long-term success for students in 20 Catholic Diocese of Gary elementary schools. Amid COVID-19 challenges, it was especially helpful by providing more than 220 emergency scholarships and assisting schools in acquiring Personal Protective Equipment.
To graduate in a year turned upside down by the pandemic was a truly remarkable achievement. Big Shoulders Fund schools found imaginative ways to safely honor all those students. From cacophonous car parades to jubilant outdoor extravaganzas, the celebrations made sure a joyful spotlight was on each of the well-deserving grads
212 West Van Buren Suite 900 ✶ Chicago, IL 60607 ✶ 312.751.8337 ✶ info@bigshouldersfund.org
Serving up needed meals as hunger took hold across our communities
Inspired by the innovative philanthropy of the Lavin Family Foundation, Big Shoulders Fund schools have collected and distributed more than 100,000 meals, often working with locally owned neighborhood restaurants like St. Ethelreda with Eat & Run and Our Lady of Guadalupe School with Roma’s Restaurant.
Big Shoulders Fund Plus is a special commitment of $70 million in additional support for 30 of the highest-need schools among our 72 network schools. This 10-year initiative not only provides financial and academic support, it also keeps 30 neighborhood schools open. 30 neighborhood anchors thriving. 30 neighborhood communities hopeful.
Giving thanks to teachers and principals who give so much.
1,300 gift cards given. A lunch break initiative bringing much-welcomed meals. Heartfelt thanks to teachers, principals, and staff on the front lines every day. Small gestures honoring the biggest heroes. Made possible through the generosity of Big Shoulders Fund supporters and a leadership gift from Executive Committee member Tim Sullivan and Sue Sullivan.
Support to Schools
In an effort to support teachers and students this past year, Big Shoulders Fund doubled down on programming and provided new supports.
2019 Launch helps Northwest Indiana soar in turbulent 2020.
The Auxiliary Board's Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser Proves Big Success
The Big Give, a peer-to-peer campaign executed by the Big Shoulders Fund Auxiliary Board, was a huge success raising nearly $18,000 for the Auxiliary Board Scholarship Fund.
More than 370 individuals gave in support of our network of schools and students. Thank you to the Auxiliary Board for leaping into action and to all who contributed
The Chairmen's Advisory Council Helps Bridge Digital Divide
In 2021, the Big Shoulders Fund Chairmen's Advisory Council (CAC) selected “Addressing the Digital Divide” as a drive issue to collectively focus their time.
In only two weeks, the CAC rallied 262 of their friends, family, and colleagues to help support this campaign, and they raised an incredible $113,000 (and counting) to address these needs. This effort had more than 60 CAC members participate, and was a true team effort.
A thousand little candles light the way to a brighter tomorrow.
Who is that
For St. Thomas the Apostle School seventh grader Darius Mason, it was a personal mission. His great-great-aunt died of COVID-19. His great-uncle was fighting to recover. His cousin had the idea to make masks and asked Darius to help. So Darius learned how to sew. He gathered fabric and elastic. And together with his cousin, made over 400 masks for first responders and essential workers. Now they reap the benefits of what Darius sewed.
masked man?
Teaching helpful tools to take on rough emotional tolls
Over the past years, multiple Big Shoulders Fund schools have worked hard to develop and implement a social emotional learning (SEL) initiative with support from Big Shoulders Fund’s SEL and Wellness Coordinator Kirk Ziemke. See the impact at Visitation Catholic School in this video.
Longtime Big Shoulders Fund supporter Carol Lavin Bernick founded Enchanted Backpack and CC’s Wish List. Partnering with Big Shoulders Fund, they support schools by distributing school supplies and clothing. While Bernie’s Book Bank, a longtime partner with support from KPMG, provides summer reading to hundreds of students.
Something to read, something to wear
thanks to someone who cares
Stock Market Program and mentors trend up as arrows point down
When COVID-19 shutdowns threatened the culmination of the Stock Market Program at Big Shoulders Fund schools, students and their volunteer teachers quickly took their sessions online. Not only did they finish strong, but 54 out of 66 schools beat the S&P 500. All schools are participating again this year, with 177 SMP volunteer teachers.
Also, 123 mentors stepped up with new virtual ways to help their mentees achieve greater heights.
What's better than a good story? 100 good storytellers
When COVID-19 hit and schools had to switch to remote learning, Big Shoulders Fund volunteers hit the books. Reading favorite stories in video sessions to share via e-learning. Almost 100 storytellers entertained and educated students with engaging video tales. Big Shoulders Fund Board member Beth White even did so from horseback.
A good walk helps school openings run better
Big Shoulders Fund conducted meticulous walk-throughs with school principals to better plan safe, in-person learning and helped set up classrooms following the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC. As well as a virtual option for families who prefer it.
Good enough isn't good enough for these fellows
Big Shoulders Fund launched the Sullivan Leadership Fellows Program in 2018 thanks to the support and vision of Tim and Sue Sullivan.
This professional learning community was created to provide principals who are in the early stages of their career with the resources and support they need to succeed in their role.
In times of great uncertainty look for comfort in mother nature
Veterinarian Dr. Gery Herrmann and his staff at the Wildlife Discovery Center of Lake Forest offered Big Shoulders Fund students an intimate look at animals and nature.
History teaches us to handle our today and our tomorrow
While studying the American Girls series, students wrote a book about themselves as American students in 2020, played historical games and made historical crafts.
Building coding skills while playing whack-a-mole
St. Ann School teacher Kathleen Fox helped students team up with Capital One Coders to program a whack-a-mole app, which they built together in real time, published and even played!
Virtual Enrichment Programming
Big Shoulders Fund offered its first-ever virtual summer enrichment program to keep students engaged and learning when parks and programs were shut down. Virtual afterschool programming did the same. Collectively these programs served nearly 1,000 students from Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
From mad science to mad dance skills. Virtual clubs made real connections
Over Achievers
Read on to be inspired by students, teachers, principals, and alumni with the magic combination of high expectations for themselves and others, a commitment to making the most out of life, and the motivation to pay it forward.
When she wouldn't give up she gave hope to us all
Ebany Guerra turned her challenges into motivation, earned a Big Shoulders Fund Dr. Scholl Foundation Scholarship in high school, and now attends American University in Washington DC pursuing her degree in Finance.
One man's gambit led to a team of queens
Eric Luster is more than a great 8th grade teacher. He’s also the Chess Coach at St. Ethelreda School. He elevated his 8th grade team to chess royalty by guiding them to win First Place in the Illinois State Chess Championships. Three girls also won individual trophies for 3rd, 4th, and 10th place. With his daughter, Shakira, finishing 3rd in state. Nice moves, Eric!
Dreaming big dreams out in big sky country
The Big Shoulders Fund Staddle Camp Program at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming educates, delights, and amazes star-struck students like Izzy Molina. As a middle school camper, he was one of hundreds of young cowboys and cowgirls getting a whole new outlook out west. Later, he became a junior counselor and Outdoors Bound participant. Izzy now follows his dreams at University of Wyoming.
Thanks to those who contributed in-kind to the creation of the year-end review.
Design by Symmetri Marketing Group
Writing by Robert Dreveny
Photography by Pictureboy Creative
COVID-19 concerns did not dampen the resolve of our undaunted supporters. The $1 million Challenge Grant from Executive Committee member Kimberly Querrey and Lou Simpson more than doubled our donations over the summer. Additionally, the 2020 Golf Classic raised nearly $600.000.
An extraordinary $1 million commitment from Citadel CEO Ken Griffin and COO Gerald Beeson targeted the growing digital equity gap by expanding access to free high-speed internet to almost 3,000 Big Shoulders Fund students through the Chicago Connected program.
