Causes I’m Supporting

Part of my mission is to give back to causes I care about. A portion of my profits on handmade goods go toward two Chicago-based non-profits who are changing lives through mental health advocacy and support.

Read below to learn about the organizations I’m supporting.

NAMI Chicago:

Guided by the experiences of those living with mental health conditions and rooted in equity, NAMI Chicago educates to fight stigma and discrimination, fiercely advocates for our community, and shares hope, connection and expertise with people on their mental health journey.

NAMI Chicago provides the services needed to support wellness in our community, from lending a listening ear to a concerned family member, to working with individuals long-term connecting to resources for legal and housing assistance. Their Helpline is the heartbeat of this work, serving the community 7 days a week, connecting individuals, families and providers with the right resources for mental health support. Callers dial 833-NAMI-CHI to connect to a live clinician or peer for referrals, guidance and expertise.

NAMI Chicago also offers peer-led support groups and classes in various locations across Chicago. These sessions foster community and provide safe spaces to discuss mental health, both for individuals living with a mental health condition and for their families and friends. Their compassionate, knowledgeable peer facilitators provide support and teach new skills along the road to recovery.

Project Onward:

Since 2004, Project Onward has become a leader in the field of disability arts for its innovative blend of accuracy, artistic excellence and social engagement. Their mission requires them to:

Provide artists with disabilities the opportunity to create their work in a safe, supportive studio environment, with access to work space, materials, and professional guidance without being encumbered by cost.

Connect artists with disabilities with the arts community and the general public, by holding professional exhibitions and selling their work. Additionally, public programs have been designed that promote audience participation

Inspire change by using art to promote empathy and reduce the stigma of mental illness and developmental disabilities. They seek to improve the self-image of artists by emphasizing the social and economic value of their work. This will cultivate new audiences in the art market by increasing awareness of, and generating demand for artwork created by peoples with disabilities.