Steans Family Foundation

The Steans Family Foundation is proud to spotlight Kids Rank and their incredible 9th Annual Kids Rank Ball: Your Roadmap HOME — held during the Month of the Military Child. More than 200 military and civilian community members gathered for an unforgettable evening honoring military children and their families. During the event, the 2026 Unsung Hero Award was presented to Joshua, a 10-year-old Kids Rank member and son of Army veteran parents. Joshua embodies what Kids Rank stands for — connection, leadership, and strength that lifts those around him. That same week, he was also honored as a Chicago White Sox Hero of the Game. 🌟

This #MothersDay, we recognize the dedication, perseverance, and compassion shown by mothers and caregivers who make the Steans Family Foundation’s work possible. 💐 Today, we honor the mothers who raised our hardworking team members who support their community, juggle childcare and work, and show up with strength, care, and generosity every day. Sending warm wishes to all the women who inspire us to lead with love.

Are you an educator looking to make a real impact? Teach North Lawndale is recruiting 40 teachers for Early Learning Centers and K-12 classrooms in North Lawndale for the upcoming school year. This is more than a teaching position – it’s a chance to join a community-driven movement rooted in equity, cultural responsiveness, and transformative education. The Steans Family Foundation is proud to expand access to education and improve outcomes for local students, alongside Chicago Public Schools and North Lawndale Early Learning Centers. Are you or someone in your network interested in making meaningful change? Share this with educators who should know about this opportunity. 🔗Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/42LSFtB

In the heart of North Lawndale, beelove® café is more than a place to grab a bite or enjoy a cup of Kribi coffee or tea—it is a community anchor creating local hospitality jobs that build confidence, career skills, and pathways to a brighter future. Through the support of the Steans Family Foundation and the NLEN, L.L.C., beelove® café invests in people and opportunity in the heart of North Lawndale. beelove® café’s new spring menu is creating buzz, and each day the café pours both espresso and care into the community—strengthening connections and expanding economic pathways for local residents. Each purchase directly supports the North Lawndale Employment Network’s work in career advancement and workforce development—providing job training, financial coaching, and placement services for community members. While working at the café, NLEN program participants build transferable skills in customer service, teamwork, and operations—preparing them for long-term employment opportunities beyond the café. This model not only helps individuals secure meaningful careers, but also strengthens the local economy by investing in North Lawndale residents and fostering sustainable community development. Visit beelove® café at 1111 S Homan Ave from M-F from 7AM-3PM and Saturday for private events.

Happy Earth Day from the Steans Family Foundation! 🌎 We believe strong communities and a healthy planet go hand in hand. Earth Day is a reminder that caring for our environment and communities today helps create more sustainable futures for generations to come. 🌱 #EarthDay #CommunityInvestment

In honor of #NationalVolunteerDay, the Steans Family Foundation is honoring the dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to uplift communities in North Lawndale and North Chicago. Today, we encourage everyone to get involved, whether by volunteering with local organizations, attending community events, or investing in your neighborhood. Every act of service helps strengthen our communities.

At the Steans Family Foundation, we are proud to highlight partners creating opportunities in North Lawndale! The Farm on Ogden is more than a green space — it’s a multi-use hub for food, health, and jobs, bringing vital resources together in one place for the community of North Lawndale. We’re especially excited to partner with the Farm on Ogden this summer to support youth employment opportunities, helping young people build skills and pathways for the future.

The Steans Family Foundation is excited to announce the launch of the North Lawndale Neighborhood Network! The Neighborhood Network Initiative is United Way of Metro Chicago's approach to community-led transformation, investing in local partners like NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITY COORDINATING COUNCIL (NLCCC), which is leading the North Lawndale Network’s vision and work. The North Lawndale Neighborhood Network will amplify and extend the momentum already created by NLCCC. With generous support from the Steans Family Foundation and guided by NLCCC’s leadership, the goal of the North Lawndale Network is to build on a decade of community-driven progress. This impactful work will continue to organize residents, mobilize resources, and elevate shared goals that strengthen safety, stability, and opportunity for all in North Lawndale. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4vqfaSi #LIVEUNITED #NeighborhoodNetworkInitiative #NorthLawndale

This tax season, our partner, Ladder Up | Free Tax Return & College Aid Guidance, is helping individuals and families build stronger financial futures through free tax preparation, college financial aid support, and financial education programs. Beyond tax assistance, Ladder Up provides workshops and resources that help people better understand and manage their finances — from navigating financial aid to building the skills needed for long-term financial stability. The Steans Family Foundation is proud to support organizations like Ladder Up that expand access to financial knowledge and resources. Financial education and support play a critical role in shaping opportunities and building a more stable future.

The Collins Academy STEAM High School has recently launched a new parent learning center, Parent University, offering classes in job readiness and application support, financial literacy, access to social services, and expungement assistance. Developed in collaboration with the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council and CPS’s Community Action Council — with support from the Steans Family Foundation — the center creates opportunities for families to invest in their own growth alongside their children’s education. Parent University is more than just a resource hub; it’s a space for the North Lawndale community to come together, expand their skillsets, and support one another. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4sG3jNV