Local activists trying to energize millennial voters
By Kierra Gray Robert Moses thinks millennials can have a big say in the outcome of the upcoming presidential election. The 23-year-old University of Illinois at Chicago student is an organizer for the non-profit Chicago Votes. Its goal is to register new voters and makes complex political issues easy for young people to understand. “I feel like they’re [millennials] engaged by doing […]
Olympic diver goes for a new title: Ph.D.
By Peter Dawson Nine-time U.S. national diving champion Christina Loukas, 30, always thought preparing for two Olympic games would be the hardest challenge she would ever face. Then she went to graduate school. “Going to PT [physical therapy] school is harder than training for the Olympics,” Loukas said. “[The Games] are physical, but it’s only […]
Choir finds harmony, hope, healing from addiction
By Brendan Hickey The members of the Harmony, Hope, & Healing choir all have something in common: They struggle with drug addiction and homelessness, they are enrolled or have completed a 12-step recovery program, and they all know Tina Villapando. Kevin Tamila abused drugs for much of his life. After joining Harmony, Hope & Healing […]
Chicagoland nonprofit saves dogs, helps veterans
By Brendan Hickey Jonathan Cooper returned to his home in Chicago after two military tours in the Middle East alive but injured. His back was broken and his mobility severely limited. With the help of a cane he was able to walk but fell constantly, injuring himself further. His disability ruled his life until he […]
Empowered Fe Fes gives young women sense of disability pride and community
By Rebekah Frumkin At 21, Alexis Smith already has the résumé of someone twice her age. She’s a poet, memoirist and activist working on a short film about inclusivity for people with disabilities. She also has spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, for which she uses crutches 90 percent of the time and a power wheelchair the […]
