Every person deserves a chance to reach their full potential, an opportunity to succeed despite any mitigating circumstances in which they find themselves.
We Raise Foundation in Itasca, Illinois, is in the business of investing in human potential. The foundation is leveraging the power of generosity to make a difference in people’s lives throughout its community using strategic, collaborative, and sustainable solutions. Together with its partners, We Raise is transforming Chicago neighborhoods for the better.
The foundation awarded their largest grant to date to the MAAFA Redemption Project, which provides housing—in addition to life coaching, professional training, and other social services—for high-risk young men in the Chicago’s West Garfield Park, an area with one of the lowest life expectancies in the city. With support from We Raise, the MAAFA Redemption Project is revitalizing a neighborhood that the project’s executive director describes as long forgotten.
Thirty-one-year-old Quentin is a product of MAAFA’s work. Traumatized by the death of family members and incarceration of people close to him, Quentin turned to MAAFA to build back his sense of trust. After completing MAAFA’s program, he earned his high school diploma and was accepted to an associate’s program at Loyola University Chicago.
Two years ago, We Raise helped make an incredible second chapter possible for Tabitha. After completing her seventh prison sentence, Tabitha went back to school and subsequently founded the SoulFisher Ministries, which provides workforce training and educational resources for women as they re-enter society after incarceration. With We Raise’s backing, Tabitha is helping to keep formerly incarcerated women above the poverty line and out of prison.
We Raise’s belief that all people deserve to be protected from poverty, violence, and inequality is transforming lives through education, training, and many other support programs that offer a brighter future to so many.
We Raise Foundation is a member of Lutheran Services in America, a network of 300 health and human service organizations located in more than 1,400 communities across the United States. Together, the network makes a difference in the lives of one in 50 Americans every year.
Learn more about We Raise Foundation.
By Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager
