Earlier this fall, the JCC Chicago held its second annual Growing Hope Concert free for the community as part of the organization’s Growing Hope movement to amplify its message of acceptance, kindness, inclusion and hope.
All performers were local and included Broadway star Shoshana Bean; American Idol winner Lee DeWyze; 12-year-old spoken word artist Akira Slaughter; rising star Tina Naponelli; award-winning concert violinist Rachel Barton Pine; and the JCC’s Happiness Club, their 2024 Youth Ambassadors of Hope.
Adding to the excitement, J.B. Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, proclaimed September 25, 2024, Growing Hope Day to expand the JCC’s message of tolerance, inclusion and kindness.
“Each year, we learn more about what this event means to the community and how to expand its impact,” saidKaren Goodman Minter, the chief marketing officer of the JCC Chicago. “This year’s concert was truly a party with a purpose — an event dedicated to healing the world.”
Accompanying the event was a pre-concert Growing Hope Community Fair showcasing a variety of organizations making the world a better place and offering opportunities for individuals to get involved and give back.
YMCA of Metro Chicago Partnership
One of the highlights of the night was Dorri McWhorter, the president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, joining Addie Goodman, the president and CEO of JCC Chicago, on stage to welcome the YMCA as an anchor partner in the Growing Hopemovement.
Together, both entities will use Growing Hopeas a call to action to engage and empower youth to build a brighter future for all.
“The partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is a big breakthrough for the Growing Hope movement,” said Goodman Minter. “The JCC and YMCA are joining hands, wrapping our arms around the 40,000 youth served between our institutions, and standing together as an example of how to repair our world. Addie Goodman and Dorri McWhorter — both the first female leaders of their organizations — are working together to get further, faster in making Chicago a city of hope. We’re excited to see the impact of this partnership at next year’s Growing Hope concert.”
Benefits and Advice
Goodman Minter said as the JCC aims to make Chicago the first city of hope, the Growing Hope Concert is being established as the feel-good event of the season. The Chicago Cubs, another anchor partner, has been with the project since the beginning, and having the concert hosted at Gallagher Way right outside of iconic Wrigley Field is always exciting.
“It’s incredible to see people coming together to celebrate acceptance, kindness, inclusion and hope,” said Goodman Minter. “The Growing Hope Concert is an all-hands-on-deck event that relies not only on our agency but on partnerships with others across the city.”
One piece of advice Goodman Minter had for creating successful community events like this is to establish clear goals for the event, delineate roles across organizations and meet regularly to ensure everyone is on the same page.
“Following an event, it’s always a good idea to debrief and start planning early for next year,” said Goodman Minter. “For those who choose to meld mission with action, take a moment to hang back, soak in the awesome vibes and know you’re an agent of good in the world.”
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