This is not a for profit business, but an organization that provides help and services from a…read moreChristian aspect to the needy of their community at large.

I discovered Proud To Run after searching runguides.com for running events in the Chicago and…read moreChicagoland area during the month of June. I considered it because I support anything LGBTQ, plus I imagined that it would be a fun event to participate in with it being pride month. Out of the option to run either the 5k or 10k, I selected the 5k being that it was my preference in distance at the time. As for Proud to Run as an organization, it is staffed entirely by volunteers and donates 100% of its net revenues to mission-driven LGBTQ non-profits across Chicago. For packet pick-up, we were required to pick up our bib number and Proud to Run tank top from either Fleet Feet Old Town, or Montrose Harbor Grove 16 leading up to the event depending on the date. The hours were pretty much the same each day at Fleet Feet Old Town, but I ended up picking up my bib and tank top the day of the event at Montrose Harbor Grove 16 being that it was most suitable for me. I eased into the run with the mindset of taking it easy and using it as a training run since it has been so hot as of late in Chicago. I kept my pace within a 7:10 - 7:45 minute mile pace, with the goal of finishing the 5k in no more than 25:00 minutes. This flat course started at Montrose Harbor Grove 16 and headed along the Lakefront path slightly passed Foster Avenue Beach and back to Montrose Harbor Grove 16. Always a lovely sight is the Lakefront, which I have visited many times for training runs as well as run events. Along the course each mile was marked and there was an identifiable hydration station featuring water within it. And the volunteers working at the hydration station were enthusiastic and supportive of all participants. There were affiliates of Proud To Run near the finish line within Montrose Harbor Grove 16. After finishing the run, I just wanted to grab whatever hydration and snacks were available, relax and see what other festivities followed the event. I loved hearing about the history of the event which was organized by Peg Gray of the Gay Athletic Association, along with Rob Williams and Jim White back in 1982. Along with that and hearing more about the struggles of the LGBTQ community this year with some I am familiar with, I cherished the experience even more. Now as for the swag, I anticipated picking up the Proud To Run tank top prior to the start of the event. I quickly put it on after I picked it up minutes before the event. It was maroon with the event name written on the lower half, with the words "Love right now" inside of a heart; and it fit my body frame perfectly! The cute medal given once I crossed the finish line featured a moveable heart with birds on each side and the event name on the lower half; the color of it matched the tank top. As a memory of the event, I am grateful to add the medal to my collection that goes back to 2007 when I initially started running. With my Garmin 235 GPS watch on my wrist, a sparkle in my eye underneath my sunglasses, I took on Proud To Run 5k.... and conquered it! As a supporter of LGBTQ, I would surely run Proud To Run again in time. Any event that brings individuals together of different ethnic backgrounds, gender, and age groups I am all for it! Thank you very much, Proud to Run Chicago. ~Gonna run 'til I don't jiggle. ~ Thomas G

This year was my second year running Proud to Run. Last year I ran the 5k, and this year I ran the…read more10k. I'm already planning to run the race again next year, because it is one of my favorite things about Chicago's Pride celebration. Proud to Run is awesome for a lot of reasons. It has been part of Chicago's Pride activities since 1982, and everyone is invited to come out to run and celebrate, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. In addition to celebrating pride, the race raises funds for local LGBT organizations. This year's beneficiaries were Affinity Community Services, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, and Chicago House. With race entries getting more expensive every year regardless of distance, I'm always more willing to hand over my money when I know the money is going to a good cause. And, in order to keep as much of the money as possible going to the chosen charities every year, Proud to Run is organized by an all volunteer, community based board of directors. How great is that? Even with it being all volunteer led, the race is extremely well organized. Online registration is quick and simple, and there is always plenty of information about the race available at the website and email reminders sent leading up to race day. There are also plenty of packet pick up opportunities, with five different advance packet pick up dates offered this year, in addition to race day packet pick up. The course is pretty standard, starting at Montrose Harbor and winding through the park, utilizing the Lake Front Trail. The course this year was well marked and easy to follow, with volunteers stationed at any turns to make sure that racers went in the right direction. All of the volunteers, from packet pick up, to water stations, to those just making sure folks know where to turn on the course, were lovely. These were some of the best and happiest race volunteers I've ever seen! As I mentioned, I ran the 5k last year and the 10k this year. I love that there are two distances to choose from, giving more people an opportunity to participate. I have friends who aren't interested in a 10k, but they will run a 5k, so we can all run our chosen distance and then meet back up after the race. The 10k starts about 10 minutes before the 5k, allowing a little extra time for 10k runners and keeping the course a little less crowded for everyone. Every runner gets a medal once you cross the finish line (sorry, but I love some race bling!) and various post race goodies (bagels, fruit, water, Gatorade, chocolate milk, etc.). There are prizes for the top finishers for each distance, as well as a pretty sweet raffle after the race with prizes from various local business, including Universal Sole. Just be aware that you must be present to win raffle prizes, so if your bib number is called and you are not there, then a new winner is selected. So stick around for the post race entertainment!

I lost a loved one earlier this year and had to make the difficult decision of letting a lot of…read moretheir items go. Among many things, their medical supplies were one of the most triggering for me to part ways with. Part of me wanted to toss them in the dumpster but then the other half of me was like, "Someone could benefit immensely from this." So I spent weeks figuring out places that would accept such things (and boy did I have a lot) and found the Heart to Heart Lending Closet in the Edgewater neighborhood. I connected with Laurie and she was totally understanding of my situation and accommodated a time for item drop off. They mainly take medical supplies and will take mostly anything related as long as they are intact and in good, working condition. The best part of this organization is that they give away donated medical supplies (free of charge) to those in need (local or global) who have limited resources to pay for costly items out of pocket. There is healing in knowing that the items you give (big or small) are getting a "second home" to someone who needs it the most. They not only accept donations but are always looking for volunteers. If there is an organization you could devote time to, this is one of those places.

Well I'm not sure why Yelp changed the name of this entry, which was North Center Garden Walk, one…read moreof if not *the* major event that the association puts on. But this review is for the garden walk specifically. Held each July, this is one of the more extensive garden walks in the area. 2023 is the first time I attended. There were 45-50 gardens on the walk (which included a few parkway gardens that are the responsibility of the association). The home gardens were lovely and featured yards of all types, from hardscaping to lush green space that looked more like it belonged in a forest preserve than a shared yard in North Center. There is a trolley that one can use to visit the various gardens, as they span a large area--there are gardens east of Damen, as well as some several blocks west of Western. This year, though, the trolley was a bit confused so hopefully they'll get that back on track next year. I'm not sure the trolley stopped at the correct stops (it passed me when I was walking down Bell, and that's not a street that had a trolley stop) so I wasn't sure I could trust it to actually be at the place it was supposed to be. So next time I might take the trolley, but I might also just drive to an area where I wanted to wander and take a look at the gardens (however, there are areas where some gardens are located that are permit parking only so that could be tricky). Sadly, most of the gardens that I went to didn't have anyone in them. That's ok I suppose but it's fun to hear from the owners what inspired their gardens, what they enjoy most about them, and so on. I was walking around between about 12:45-1:45 or so and but only met a couple of homeowners. Since I'm 38 weeks pregnant I couldn't do as much wandering as I'd hoped (there's only one bathroom on the route, and it was a mile from where I was) but perhaps next year I'll hit more homes and get to hear from the owners. Something that makes this garden walk cool and different from some of the others I've been to is that they have bands playing at several houses. There were about five bands, I believe, playing throughout the day. I saw one that was setting up and one was actually playing when I visited the garden next door. They were a folk band and they were really enjoyable! Another really great and fun part of this walk is that they have several kids' lemonade stands set up throughout the walk. I passed an unofficial one too (and bought a lemonade--it was delicious). I love that they work to include so many people in the neighborhood in the walk. I would like to return again and probably will next year. It seemed a tiny bit disorganized this year but I can tell it's a very good event. The sudden downpour probably put a bit of a damper on the afternoon too. I only wish it was two days long so I could more easily see all the gardens!

!!ATTENTION ALL SKOKIE PARENTS!! Please keep your children away from this daycare by any means…read morenecessary! Look for other daycare alternatives. This place is a public safety hazard. In less than 2 months my son contracted 3 diseases/viruses: (1) HFM (Hand, Foot & Mouth), (2) Strep Throat and (3) recently RSV. They do a terrible job of properly communicating and reporting children with illnesses. I believe they underreport the number of illnesses that occur. They have zero standards for cleanliness and hygiene. Their standards are so low, they make a Motel 6 look like a Ritz-Carlton. Not to mention, the beds these poor children sleep on look like military field gurney stretchers dating back to the Gulf War. When I picked up my son during lunch hour there was a foul smell of spoiled rotten food. It smelled like a forgotten dumpster. I'd rather walkthrough the streets of Manhattan on garbage day and the streets of Tenderloin in San Francisco. They even forgot to change his clothes after lunchtime and gave him to me with food all over him. I had to clean and change him in the car before I put him in the car seat. It's next door to a very sketchy "CASH ONLY" salon & spa business.

We had a great experience sending our now 2-year-old son to Mosaic. He became very attached to his…read moreteachers (and they, him), he had blossoming friendships, and his language skills developed far quicker than with his nanny. In addition to the standard baseline requirements (safety, hygiene, friendliness), we were looking for a place that would offer diversity. Mosiac delivered in spades - staff and students came from varied cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. Erum, the Director, is amazing at communicating expectations to the parent community and responding to individual parent's needs. Thank you, Mosaic team, for making our life easier by knowing our son is well taken care of!

Although St. Leonard's House is a bricks-and-mortar "place," more than that it is a life-changing…read moreexperience. I've been volunteering at SLH (which is affiliated with St. Leonard's Ministries and Episcopal Charities) for about four and a half years, leading a current events discussion group once a month through Chicago Cares. SLH is a residential transitional facility for men released from prison without the resources needed to rebuild their lives. Acceptance is by invitation only, and the guys here have their heads in the right place - taking advantage of the opportunity ahead of them and avoiding at all costs the lives that got them into trouble. SLH has a 6-month program, which includes career training, high school for those who didn't finish, life skills education, substance abuse counseling... Pretty much everything they need. Only about 20% of the men who complete the program become re-incarcerated, whereas more than half of other former inmates go back. I think the strongest testament to the work SLH is doing is that the vast majority of their staff is comprised of people who came there are a resident, completed the program, and later felt driven to give back by leading others through the same program. SLH also relies heavily on volunteerism as they log more volunteer hours than staff hours in any given time frame. There are tons of ways to get involved, and if you do you will see the difference that's being made here. Check out their website and send an email to find out what volunteer opportunities are available. You'll be rewarded.

After reading the negative reviews on Yelp, admittedly from many years ago, I was reluctant to…read moreattend a service there. But I did go and was delighted that my experience was completely delightful! We were joyfully greeted immediately in the lobby and welcomed enthusiastically. The service was thoughtful and timely and the music was uplifting. After the service we were again engaged with welcoming kindness in chats with other members as well as with the minister and assistant minister. Ignore any negative reviews and go! You're sure to love it!

When my children were of preschool age I wanted to give them the support of a spiritual community…read more My wife and I investigated many different types of religious organizations and found the UCE had the most comprehensive program for life long education. While we initially joined for the benefit of the children, we discovered many opportunities for our personal growth. We've been members for nine years now, and it has been a life changing and life affirming experience. The community is very welcoming to all races, religions, sexual orientations and political ideologies. The Church offers opportunities to safely explore your thoughts and feelings. By providing this safe space, the impact of fear and dogma are reduced. I find that most consistent aspect of the community is that we build compassion by celebrating open discussion, deep connection, and creative empathy. In my experience there, members generally find that their spiritual beliefs align with what might be considered progressive ideology. However, we are all exploring and learning each time we meet.

My son has been attending this daycare since he was 2 months old and my niece is in the preschool…read moreclass. I have nothing but amazing things to say about Ms. Joy and ALL of her staff! Since day one they have always dealt with all my questions with such kindness and sincerity. Any concern I've ever had has been addressed immediately and resolved. I never have a doubt my son is well taken care of on a daily basis. My niece has learned so much in their preschool program and tells me every day how much she loves school!! I would highly recommend A Step By Step for anyone looking for a reliable, safe and loving environment for their children!!

Yes, this is as good as it gets! I recommend A Step by Step Academy to everyone that I know who…read morehave children! I Love this place! You can Trust the place! Best child care I've witnessed, Period. Joy, the owner, and the whole staff here at A Step by Step is so professional, so helpful, and so on point that all Four of my kids have attended the academy! When I say rapid learning... Whew!! I want to say geniuses are being bred in that building! I have two still there now, and it's one of the best decisions my wife and I have made together. So grateful for you all, thank you, and keep up the great work! Cheers, Darryl Jones