February 23, 2016
Children have the rare ability to reach into their imaginations and find wonder in the world. We cherish and nurture that right, and the imaginations of the brothers and sisters in our Villages. It is our hope that the children who come to us feel the safety and encouragement to rediscover and continue to explore this wonder, and dream about the possibilities ahead of them.
Our corporate partner, Wintrust Financial, understands this core value and generously supports our efforts toward progressing further in the programming and resources we provide the children in our care. They even help inspire others in the Chicagoland community to take part with events like a recent networking-with-nonprofits event for young leaders, which included our Emerging Leaders Board (ELB).
More recently, Wintrust has given us a great gift by illustrating, with a mural, our commitment to the well-being and development of our children on The Mural Building, a space they devote to featuring the work of local charities and causes. Located at 1735 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60622, the mural will be viewable from the Kennedy Expressway—one of the busiest roads in the state. Wintrust shared this about the development of the mural:
In developing the concept for the mural, we were struck by the idea that One Family Illinois is committed not only to the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of a child, but also his or her capacity to dream.
To execute the concept we reimagined the city of Chicago through the eyes of a child. We replaced skyscrapers with rocket ships and planted dragons in the sky. Ultimately, it was our goal to capture the playful and imaginative spirit of a child.
We are thrilled and honored to see the city of Chicago, our Villages, and hope for the dreams of our youth represented. Thank you, Wintrust, for your partnership and support!
Help Us Tell Our Story
This is a glimpse of the finished product. Let us know if you happen to see the mural, and be sure to follow along throughout the month of March on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook where we’ll be celebrating the hopes and dreams of the children of One Family Illinois.
Please join our conversation on social media from March 1 – March 31, 2016, and help spread awareness about our story. If you want more details about how you can contribute, click here to take the next step.