By Judy Carmack Bross

 A Youth Innovator from Kuumba Lynx presents at the Youth Innovation Showcase

Through their names as well as their work many Chicago non-profits exemplify what they accomplish—The Breakthrough Board, After School Matters, Ignite, Artists in the Public School–to name but a few. Recently, Bright Promises showcased the power of promise, with Chicago youth displaying their innovative ideas and agency members and board sharing upstream approaches to early childhood education, youth mental health, and youth leadership development at the annual Bright Promises 2025 Awards event.

Youth leaders from Ruckus Teens demonstrate their entrepreneurial skills during the Youth Innovation Showcase

Bright Promises grew out of another compelling name: the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, founded in 1869 when Chicago leaders decried animal cruelty at the stockyards.  In 1877 it became the Illinois Humane Society when it expanded to include abused and neglected children.  Marshall Field, George Pullman and Philip Armour funded its first offices. At the World’s Fair of 1893 it hosted the first international conference for humane organizations and established the first juvenile court in the country here in 1899.  It operated family programs at the Robert Taylor Homes and other locations for many years and in 1973 became a foundation providing seed money to fund programs promoting child welfare.

Youth leaders from Communities United educate guests about issues in their community during the Youth Innovation Showcase

Bright Promises chose joy as the theme of its recent benefit, and the joy that dreams realized can bring. Held at Wildman BT on West Carroll street and Chaired by Bryan Stokes II and Dorri McWhorter, the evening honored Grace Araya, President & CEO, Concordia Place; Tony Alvarado Rivera, Executive Director, Chicago Freedom School; and Maria Paula Gareza Degillo, Youth Director, Communities United. Bright Promises also launched a new initiative representing over $1 million in investments in Chicago’s early childhood workforce that night.

 Board Chair Nancy Snyder described its new initiative: 

Nancy Snyder

“Bright Promises funds innovative partnerships that create solutions to unmet needs facing children and youth in our City.  I like to say that we fund exploration.  Our new initiative is a six-year strategy that centers on the social, emotional, and mental health of the early childhood workforce. The initiative invests in sustainable, community-led approaches that provide our front-line educators with skills to thrive—thereby improving outcomes for them and the children they serve.

“As with any of our initiatives, our funding strives to have a wholistic, community-led approach.  Our hope is that this newest funding cycle will strengthen the early childhood ecosystem in Chicago.  We will share our successes and learnings with the community at the end of our funding cycle, helping our communities adapt to become more resilient.  

Bright Promises Executive Director Katherine Korey welcomes over 300 multicultural and multigenerational guests to the 2025 Awards Ceremony

We spoke with Executive Director Katherine Korey, asking her first how they choose joy as the focus of the event.

“We advance joy by creating spaces where children, youth, and families feel safe, seen, and celebrated. Joy is resistance. It’s healing. It’s a reminder that even in the face of adversity, our young people deserve moments of light and laughter. Our programs and partnerships are designed to uplift and inspire.”

Honoree Tony Alvarado Rivera enjoys the photo booth with his colleagues from Chicago Freedom School

We asked Korey to tell us more about Bright Promises:

CCM:  How do you work with different student groups and what are some of the inspirational moments you have with youths?

KK: We work with youth through trusted community partners who understand the unique needs of each group—whether it’s young people navigating trauma, systemic inequities, or simply seeking a space to be heard. One of the most inspiring moments was hearing a young participant say, “This program helped me see myself as a leader.” That’s the kind of transformation we strive for—where youth not only feel supported but empowered.

 Awards Co-Chair Dorri McWhorter, President and CEO of The Executive Club of Chicago, speaks about her roots as a Head Start kid

CCM: You showcased youth programs at the benefit, what do these youth programs say about Bright Promises?

KK: They say that Bright Promises is a catalyst. Each program we showcased is a testament to our belief in innovation, equity, and community-driven change. These innovative youth displays reflect our commitment to investing in ideas that are bold, responsive, and rooted in the lived experiences of young people.

Honoree Grace Araya enjoys the photo booth with staff and board members from Concordia Place

CCM:  What did you most want to say to the guests at the benefit about Bright Promises?

KK: You are part of this movement. we each have both a responsibility and an opportunity to care for and protect every member of our community — especially our children and youth. And if you’ve ever felt helpless or wondered what you could do in the face of so much need, this is your moment. Support this work. Stand with us. Because the future of our children depends on what we choose to do — right now. Bright Promises is not just an organization—we are a community of changemakers. Your support fuels the innovation that helps young people thrive. Together, we are building a future where every child has the opportunity to succeed.

 Guests of Presenting Sponsors Wintrust enjoy the photobooth

CCM: What can a non-profit do to solve such great problems that young people are facing today?

KK: The truth is—no single organization can solve these challenges alone. The problems young people face today are complex, systemic, and deeply rooted. And that’s exactly why we believe in the power of the nonprofit ecosystem.

At Bright Promises Foundation, we know that every organization, every donor, every funder plays a critical role in creating better lives and brighter futures for our children and youth. We don’t pretend to have all the answers. Instead, we invest in collaboration. We listen to our partners, we learn from our communities, and we support innovative, community-led solutions.

What can a nonprofit do? It can be part of something bigger. It can spark change by investing in others. It can build trust, share knowledge, and create space for youth to lead. Bright Promises is that space—where change is kickstarted, where ideas grow, and where a shared commitment to equity and opportunity takes root. We believe that transformation happens when we work together. And we’re proud to be part of a community that’s rising to meet the moment—with creativity, courage, and care.

2025 Awards Co-Chair Bryan Stoke II, Director of Education Portfolio at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, welcomes and thanks guests

CCM:  Chicago has become a real center for innovation. How do you encourage innovation successes in teenagers and what can be the results for the community when this is developed?

KK: We encourage innovation by funding programs that teach design thinking, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. When teens innovate, they solve real problems in their communities. The ripple effect is powerful—more engaged youth, stronger neighborhoods, and a city that thrives on creativity and inclusion.

But here’s what we believe deeply: we are not preparing the next generation to lead—they are already leading. Young people are not waiting for permission to make change. They are organizing, creating, and imagining new possibilities every day. Our role is not to direct them, but to support them, guide them, and co-create with them.

At Bright Promises, we invest in youth-led ideas and amplify youth voices because we know that transformation happens when young people are at the center of the solution. We are the space where those changes are kickstarted—where innovation is nurtured, and where a community of changemakers grows. Together, we’re building a future where young people are not just participants—they are the architects of a more just, joyful, and inclusive Chicago.

Handmade glass awards were presented to the honorees created by youth impacted by gun violence at Firebird Community Arts

CCM: What about alumni of the program? Do you keep in touch with them and are there success stories that you want to share?

KK: Yes, we do! Many alumni go on to become mentors, advocates, and leaders in their own right. One alum recently launched a youth-led mental health initiative in their school district. Another alum who was a former gang member founded their own nonprofit and then went on to pass the bar and get hired as an associate at a major law firm. These stories remind us that our impact doesn’t end when the program does—it grows with every young person who carries the mission forward.

2025 Awards Selection Committee Chair Nick Bruce (left), honoree Maria Paula Gareza Degillo (center), and Bright Promises Executive Director Katherine Korey (right)

CCM:  What are the things that keep you up at night and what are the things that give you great hope?

KK: I am a passionate advocate for youth mental health. The profound toll that everything happening in our city, our country, and our world is taking—and will continue to take—on the mental health of young people deeply concerns me. When left unaddressed, trauma in childhood can impact nearly every aspect of a young person’s health and well-being. I know this not just from research or reports—I know it from personal experience.

I often think about how different things might have been if I had received mental health support sooner. That reflection fuels my commitment to this work. But here’s what gives me hope: research shows that just one healthy, supportive relationship with a trusted adult can reverse the long-term effects of trauma. That means every single one of us has the power to be a healing influence in a young person’s life.

At Bright Promises Foundation, we believe that while we can’t prevent every hardship, we can help young people build the resilience and persistence to process and move beyond those experiences. We do this by investing in programs that prioritize mental health, emotional well-being, and trauma-informed care—because we know that healing is possible, and that it starts with connection.

This is a call to all of us—parents, educators, neighbors, donors, and community leaders: we each have a role to play. Together, we can create a city where every young person feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Youth leaders from Palenque LSNA present their multi-lingual resources at the Youth Innovation Showcase

CCM:  Bright Promises: the most wonderful name. What does that name mean in terms of your work? 

KK: It means we believe in the potential of every child. “Bright Promises” is a commitment—to nurture, to uplift, and to invest in futures that shine. It’s a name that reflects our optimism, our purpose, and our unwavering belief that change is not only possible—it’s already happening.

2025 Awards Selection Committee Chair Nick Bruce (left), honoree Grace Araya (center), and Bright Promises Executive Director Katherine Korey (right)

Longtime board member Paul Bodine was among the supporters at the benefit and we asked him to tell us more from his perspective.

CCM:  How many years have you been involved and what is it about the organization that has encouraged you to stay dedicated to its purpose?

PB: I was recruited to join the board 35 years ago and am continuously impressed by the unique talents it seeks to occupy its board and the trust it puts in the staff and the children’s organizations it partners with – encouraging them to speak directly with those individuals working directly with the children every day, understand their world, their needs and challenges, identify barriers, root causes, and opportunities, then boldly implement practical solutions to these problems, learning as they go, irrespective of industry norms or risk of failure. The organization values measurable impact upon the greatest problems of the day facing children and agilely shifting gears as the greatest problems change over time. 

Honoree Maria Paula Gareza Degillo hugs her mother, the first person to ever immigrate to the United States from her village in the Phillipines

CCM:  It is really so interesting what you say about leaders discussing the challenges of disadvantaged children. How did the concept of innovative programs developed by youths to strengthen their communities evolve? 

PB: A major moment of clarity came while planning the celebration of our 150th anniversary. Having a gala to celebrate ourselves did not feel right. Bright Promises was not about the board and donors; it is about the kids. The board had heard a lot ABOUT the kids, but not FROM the kids, firsthand, their truth. And the truth was that the kids were way ahead of us, having already come up with highly practical ideas to make their communities better for everyone. All they needed was someone to listen to them, hear what they had to say, empower and enable them. We are listening and learning as fast as we can. It was a watershed moment. These kids will grow up with an advanced sense of citizenship and values, rebuilding their own communities from within.

2025 Awards Selection Committee Chair Nick Bruce (left), honoree Tony Alvarado Rivera (center), and Bright Promises Executive Director Katherine Korey (right)

CCM:  How do you see Bright Promises affecting the larger community? 

PB: Bright Promises works collaboratively with its partners to devise and test collaborative solution models, which lend themselves well to adoption by other communities worldwide. The high-impact aspects of their Bright Promises’ approach include addressing complex challenges, agility, resilience, license to follow the evidence no matter how greatly it varies from current norms, sidestepping the industry filters by listening directly to the kids, hearing their truth, their aspirations, what they feel they need to grow hope and self-actualize, and crafting enabling solutions.

Jay Rosenbloom is honored upon his retirement from the Bright Promises Board of Directors

CCM:  What particularly impressed you about the recent BFF awards? 

PB: The interaction among the attendees and the kids explaining their projects was so encouraging; the kids were so well-spoken. The energy in the room burned from within each participant framing the evening from their own experience – everyone had a story to tell and an aspect of Bright Promises that particularly resonated with them. Every story was different. When our presenters and recipients spoke, it was electrifying. Every person found something special, something unique in Bright Promises’ message, which spoke to them.  

An organization which has come through for 156 years on its promises to improve life in Chicago is truly to be celebrated.

A youth leader from Alliance of the SouthEast shares their experience during the Youth Innovation Showcase

For Further information about Bright Promises, visit: https://www.brightpromises.org/