Polk Bros. Foundation

After joining Polk Bros. Foundation in 1989 as its second employee, Program Director for Education Suzanne Doornbos Kerbow is set to retire in late November 2024. “Suzanne has done so much for Chicago public school students and their families, while also ensuring more Chicago educators and principals have the professional learning and support needed to meet students’ needs,” said Polk Bros. Foundation CEO Gillian Darlow. “We will miss her, as a colleague and a friend. Suzanne's legacy of leadership, especially in spearheading the Foundation's Full-Service Community Schools Initiative, will continue to shape our city's educational future long after her retirement. Her empathy, passion and integrity have been a gift to all of us.” Here's to you, Suzanne — may your next adventure be as extraordinary as the one you've shared with us! https://lnkd.in/gMhB-2FC

The time is now! Early registration discounts for Forefront's Annual Summit 2024 end on September 4. Discounted rates for Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile are only available until September 2. Get your team registered and join us for a day of dynamic programming. https://bit.ly/3LuKlWx #ForefrontUnitedAndThriving

Your voice matters! This meeting is more than just a discussion - it's about shaping the future of our communities. We need everyone’s input to ensure that our programs continue to meet the needs of our residents for years to come.

Fresh Taste Austin Fresh funder collaborative has opened its 2024 Call for Ideas. Is your organization embedded in Austin and working to: - Build the Austin economy through food-related businesses including grocery and culinary enterprises? - Innovate emergency food efforts and nutrition assistance programs that expand healthy food options? - Expand access and quality of green spaces and food production? - Develop and promote culturally relevant food justice education? - Promote information on food resources and activities to Austin residents? Submissions are due Monday, August 26, 2024 at 11:59pm. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dbfBVkh9. 

After 8 years with Polk Bros. Foundation, JC Aevaliotis is transitioning to the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, where he has accepted an exciting role as Senior Program Director (Arts & Culture). We are so thrilled for JC and the opportunities ahead for him in his career. And yet, we will very much miss him and all the ways he inspired us, challenged us and made us laugh.    Please join us in cheering JC on in his new role! We are eager to see the positive impact we know he will make there. https://lnkd.in/gaHffvDq

Congratulations to #PolkBrosGrantee LIFT, Inc. which just opened its new HQ in Bronzeville's historic Rosenwald Courts today! Polk Bros. Foundation Program Officer Channing Lenert (pictured here) joined in the festivities along with Polk Bros. Foundation's Vice President of Program Evette Cardona and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Anna Lee. Channing, who also serves as chair of LIFT-Chicago's board of directors, said, "LIFT provides coaching and direct cash assistance to more than 200 families with young children throughout the city. And, the LIFT-Chicago team is now amplifying our mission by providing technical assistance to key allies and advocating for policies that address the root causes of multi-generational poverty, like the recently-passed Illinois Child Tax Credit. The new office will be a space where LIFT families can participate in coaching sessions, pick up day-to-day items for parents, and build community with each other. What was really special today was to see how welcoming the space was for little kiddos to hang out and play – essential for an effective two-generation strategy."

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of James Fawley as our new vice president of investments and administration. “I am very excited to join the Polk Bros. Foundation at such an important time in its history. In these volatile, uncertain times, the Foundation’s mission has never been more critical and I look forward to supporting our team and Board to make Chicago a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said James. Please join us in welcoming James to Polk Bros. Foundation! Read the full update. https://lnkd.in/gPz_sAbx

This September, after 15 years with the Foundation, Vice President of Investments and Administration Amy Hill will retire. "Amy’s stewardship of the Foundation’s resources has paved the way for grantmaking that makes a real difference in people’s lives. And her efforts to help streamline the Foundation’s processes have made, and will keep making, the application experience easier and more equitable for our grantee partners. We will miss Amy and her strategic guidance greatly, and wish her well as she starts her next chapter,” said Polk Bros. Foundation CEO Gillian Darlow. From all of us at Polk Bros. Foundation: Amy, thank you for the compassion and leadership you share with our team and with Chicago. We hope your upcoming retirement brings you so much joy and fulfillment! ❤️ Read the full update: https://lnkd.in/geyyYU49

The supreme court’s decision criminalizes acts of being homeless which has dire consequences for #GenderBasedViolence survivors who are unhoused. The City of Grants Pass v. Johnson case looked at whether cities are allowed to ban homeless people from sleeping in public spaces and penalize them despite having nowhere else to go. The ruling in favor of Grants Pass gives cities more power to arrest, cite and fine people who sleep outside in public places. This worsens the plight of already vulnerable individuals without addressing root causes of homelessness. We know #GBV can cause, contribute, or perpetuate housing instability. and is recognized as the leading cause of housing instability for women. Up to 57% of all homeless women report domestic violence as the immediate cause of their homelessness.  The #JohnsonVGrantsPass decision creates further barriers to survivors accessing safe housing by making it even more difficult to leave an abusive relationship because of fear of penalties if there is not a shelter bed available at the moment a survivor is able to flee. Survivors often cannot plan in advance for when they are able to leave, given the ongoing violence and threats to bodily harm that they face in their home. When shelter beds are not available, survivors stay unsheltered, in cars, or in other places not fit for human habitation as they await shelter availability. For those survivors that need access to emergency shelter in Illinois, please contact the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 877-863-6338, and we will work to connect you to a safe shelter space. 

There are many ways we can help people experiencing homelessness. Fining or jailing those who sleep outside is not one of them.