State Farm and 1871, a Chicago-based non-profit that supports entrepreneurs, teamed up to sponsor and organize the “Hackathon for Good.” The event benefited the technical needs of True Star Foundation, a Chicagoland youth non-profit. 

“The Hackathon for Good gave us a glimpse into the future. It provided technology solutions that allow the organization to operate at a higher level, engage youth in ways that excite and inspire them, and allow us to reach more young people in a cost effective way,” said True Star Foundation Co-Founder DeAnna Sherman.

True Star's weekly after-school, in-school and summer programming teaches students about a variety of disciplines in the media industry. Students not only learn about the profession, they actually work cooperatively to produce professional-quality work in each area.

The hackathon teams provided True Star with several technical solutions. These included digitizing its curriculum, helping its students create digital portfolios, and providing the organization with a blueprint for a mobile app that will extend their reach and mission.

It’s all part of a commitment to build a better future for our communities through innovation.

“State Farm believes in supporting our communities, in being a Good Neighbor. We were excited to be part of the Hackathon for Good with 1871 and to support True Star Foundation,” said Fawad Ahmad, State Farm Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer. “It was a great opportunity to observe innovative ideas that will ultimately benefit the students True Star serves.”

“At 1871, we support innovators that are building a better tomorrow for their communities,” said 1871 CEO Betsy Ziegler. “Organizations like the True Star Foundation are doing the necessary, on-the-ground work to empower youth in Chicago to lead. We were proud to join our longtime and dedicated partner State Farm to create technical solutions for this important non-profit.”

Submissions for this year’s program will be accepted starting June 2 at 1 p.m. ET and will end once 2,000 submissions are received. The voting phase will follow from Aug. 18-27, where the public can vote for their favorite cause from the list of 200 finalists. The 40 winners will be announced Sept. 29. For more information, please visit https://www.neighborhoodassist.com.

The commitment includes a $4 million national grant to LISC to expand employment, revitalize commercial corridors, promote health and enhance community safety in 12 cities over the next two years. In addition, State Farm has set up a $10 million loan pool with LISC focused on its home state of Illinois. It will specifically address the needs of small businesses and community nonprofits hit hard by COVID-19 in Central Illinois communities like Peoria, Bloomington and Springfield, as well as Chicago.

“This year marks our 20-year anniversary of investing in LISC—an organization vital to connecting resources to communities in need,” said Annette Martinez, senior vice president for State Farm. “We know that together, we are creating economic opportunities to help communities grow and prosper—and providing relief to small businesses and nonprofit organizations struggling due to COVID-19.”

The $10 million pool, announced in late April, will offer low-cost loans of up to $250,000, with LISC’s local program staff in Central Illinois and Chicago connecting with businesses and nonprofits to deploy capital. The loans are one piece of the larger State Farm COVID-19 relief strategy, which includes $2 billion in premium rebates to customers.

At the same time, the new grant from State Farm will fuel national outreach strategies, including support for staffing and tools focused on addressing the root causes of poor health in communities. Grant funds will further advance long-term community investment programs in 12 metro areas, with a particular focus on:

• Financial Opportunity Centers, which provide a range of integrated services to help people build financial stability—from job training and placement to financial coaching and income support.
• Commercial corridor revitalization and anti-displacement strategies in gentrifying communities, to catalyze economic vitality that benefits local residents.
• Community health and safety programs, such as “green” strategies for affordable housing and recreation programs that engage at-risk youth.

Implementation will vary to meet local needs. For example, the new State Farm grant will seed the opening of a new Financial Opportunity Center in Atlanta, so LISC can support financial and employment services for hundreds of residents. In Indianapolis, it will fuel a program that revitalizes underutilized industrial sites, creating jobs and economic vibrancy. In Milwaukee, it will advance public safety strategies that connect community members, businesses and law enforcement in common efforts, while also fueling “creative placemaking” activities to reduce crime. And, in Phoenix, it will support transit-oriented development plans that revitalize businesses in often-overlooked communities.

“Now, as we all face uncertain days ahead, State Farm has once again stepped up to help, both responding to the immediate crisis and continuing to support long-term opportunities for stability, opportunity and growth," said Maurice A. Jones, LISC CEO.

In addition to these four cities, the State Farm grant will support similar local efforts in the Bay Area (Oakland/San Francisco), Chicago, Houston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Peoria, Ill., Philadelphia, and Tacoma, Wash.

“Even before the global health crisis, State Farm had long supported strategies to build stronger, more inclusive local economies where families and businesses could thrive,” said Maurice A. Jones, LISC president and CEO. “Now, as we all face uncertain days ahead, State Farm has once again stepped up to help, both responding to the immediate crisis and continuing to support long-term opportunities for stability, opportunity and growth. We are enormously grateful for their steadfast support.”

Over the last 20 years, State Farm has invested $149 million in LISC’s community development programs, leveraging more than $11 billion to build or rehabilitate 53,000 affordable homes, create more than 20 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space, and serve nearly 215,000 people through income- and wealth-building initiatives.

In the News:

• WGLT:  State Farm to Fund Load Programs for NonProfits (04/21/20) 

Join the conversation on Yammer!

State Farm was a big part of this year’s All Star game both on AND off the court! Take a look at some highlights of the big event.

To others, Saturday mornings are for giving back.

For more than 20 years, a group of State Farm^® employees has used their Saturday mornings to help those less fortunate. Waking up early, shopping for groceries, cooking and serving breakfast has been the norm for this group, and they’re content to continue.

Every Saturday in Bloomington, Ill., the kitchens at Salvation Army’s Safe Harbor Homeless Shelter and Home Sweet Home Ministries are busy with State Farm employees, including Mike Blaize and Tracey Vincent, who call themselves The Breakfast Club.

“It’s not easy to get up that early on a Saturday morning; it’s just very rewarding,” Tracey, a State Farm employee, says. “The residents always appreciate of the meal we provide and it’s a nice way to give back to the community.”

Mike has always enjoyed cooking for others, so when his family moved to the area and he heard about The Breakfast Club, he wanted to get involved.

“Moving here from Chicago and being new to State Farm, it was another way to connect to the community outside of church and recreational events,” says Mike, State Farn employee.

“For me, it’s food for my soul. I have all my physical needs met, this is something deeper,” he adds.

The Breakfast Club breaks up the tasks each Saturday. A crew leader is responsible for buying the ingredients that morning and ensuring everyone shows up for duty. The cost of ingredients is split among each volunteer, and usually adds up to about $15 a person. The first crew cooks the food, followed by the second wave who serves the residents.

The club is more than just a few hours volunteering on the weekends, it’s friends getting together to give back.

“I’ve gotten to know people from all different departments of State Farm through this,” Tracey says. “You get to work with the same people over and over again and people you wouldn’t normally come into contact with.

“It’s enriched both my personal and professional life.”

And on occasion, the volunteers have quality interactions with those they serve.

“Residents are often quiet and reserved, but on occasion you’ll get someone who really wants to talk and engage and you learn a little about them,” Mike says.

“A man was trying to express his gratitude and asked us questions about our jobs. He said, ‘If I had a car, I’d get State Farm insurance.’

“Those kinds of conversations keep me coming back.”

In the News:

• Forbes: 4 Simple Things Every Leader Should Learn From Being Neighborly (9/28/18)
• Bloomington Pantagraph:  For 20-plus years, State Farm's Breakfast Club serves hot meals at shelter (11/11/18)

When gang members shattered his windows and tried to set his house on fire – Rob Castaneda’s hope faded. He and his wife recently moved to Little Village - eager to start a new life chapter. But the Chicago crime in their southwest side neighborhood overshadowed their dreams for the future.

With a damaged home and broken hopes, the Castanedas were ready to say goodbye - but their neighbors weren’t. They rallied behind the family, encouraging them to stay on the block. That determination inspired the Castanedas. They realized moving wouldn’t solve the neighborhood problems. But something else could help the area bounce back.Castaneda started Beyond the Ball – a basketball program designed to get youth off the streets and on the court. Kids began playing at the school gym, a spot free from violence. News of the safe place to play spread quickly, and program participation skyrocketed. The momentum didn’t stop there. Shortly after creating Beyond the Ball, the Hoops in the Hood program emerged. Founded by LISC Chicago, this summer league gives hundreds of Chicago students an opportunity to play basketball, compete in tournaments and show their team spirit. Today, Beyond the Ball is part of the Hoops in the Hood network.

“LISC Chicago saw a program that was working for one of our community partners, and with leadership and support from State Farm, scaled it to a citywide level,” said LISC Chicago Executive Director Meghan Harte. “LISC ensures Hoops in the Hood is community run and flexible to each neighborhood’s needs. That’s a big part of what makes it so successful.”

Changing the Neighborhood One Kid at a Time

Andrell Bryant never expected basketball to change his life. But it did – 10 years ago. The high school freshman had no plans for summer break. So Castaneda encouraged him to join the Hoops in the Hood program. Bryant hit the ground running, participating every summer until his graduation four years later. “I had aged out of Hoops in the Hood, but wanted to stay involved,” he said.

Bryant decided to coach Hoops in the Hood athletes. He also officiates summer games and became a program coordinator. “I love it,” he said. “Every time the season ends, I want to start again – even though I know I’ll have to wait another seven months. It’s about building relationships with the kids and helping them build for the future.”Today, Bryant is a full-time security guard and works as a part-time basketball coach through the Chicago Park District. “My passion is to work with students,” he said. “To open my own gym in the future, and to show kids this is what hard work is like if you want to be an athlete. Too many students don’t have the ability to go to a gym in their own neighborhoods.”

Bryant credits his outlook and success from his Hoops in the Hood experience. “Being a coach, mentor and role model in the program taught me a lot. And each child that’s gone through it has elevated my value of the game. It’s made me a better person. I want to continue that positivity.”

The World Champion Chicago Cubs today announced the Cubs Trophy Tour presented by State Farm, designed to share the team’s historic hardware with Cubs fans throughout Chicago and the Midwest.

The tour will kick off this Friday, December 9, at the new Cubs Team Store on Michigan Avenue. Fans will be able to take their photo with the World Series Trophy from 12 to 3 p.m. inside the new location at 663 N. Michigan Ave. The store offers an expanded line of products sold at Wrigley Field – including popular World Series merchandise, holiday gifts and new items arriving daily – and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“We’re excited to share our cherished trophy with fans this offseason as we celebrate such a historic World Series Championship,” said Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts. “This year’s World Championship team is unparalleled, and so are our fans. We can’t wait for them to experience the joy of seeing this piece of history in person.”

“State Farm is delighted to continue supporting the Chicago Cubs and ‘help life go right’ for the organization and its fans,” said State Farm Advertising Director Ed Gold. “Presenting the Cubs Trophy Tour is a great way to bring that excitement into Chicago neighborhoods, the Midwest and throughout Spring Training.”

After Friday’s Cubs Trophy Tour debut at the new Cubs Team Store, the tour will continue the following Wednesday and Thursday, December 14-15, at Chicago City Hall. Fans are invited to see the trophy from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.

Following a series of visits to iconic locations throughout Chicago, the World Series Trophy will hit the road, going on display in Bloomington, Champaign, Freeport, Peoria, the Quad Cities, Rockford and Springfield in Illinois; South Bend, Indianapolis and other cities in Indiana; Des Moines and other cities in Iowa; plus other locations throughout the Midwest. In Chicago, plans are underway to visit the Cubs Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program and participate in the annual Cubs Caravan and Cubs Convention in January. The trophy will visit Mesa, Arizona, during Spring Training and return to Wrigley Field for the Cubs’ 2017 Home Opener April 10.

Fans can follow the Cubs on Twitter and Instagram (@Cubs) for specific updates on the Cubs Trophy Tour using the #CubsTrophyTour hashtag. These team updates and fans’ social media posts with the trophy will be posted to www.cubs.com/trophytour, along with a tentative schedule, highlights and more information about the World Series Trophy.

About the World Series Trophy:

The World Series Trophy, also known as the Commissioner’s Trophy, was originally created by Major League Baseball in 1967. The first club to receive the trophy was the St. Louis Cardinals after they defeated the Boston Red Sox in seven games in the World Series that year.

In 2000, Major League Baseball commissioned Tiffany & Co. to redesign the trophy. Master artisans employ age-old techniques such as spinning, silversmithing, chasing, hand engraving, and polishing to complete the award.

The 24-inch trophy features 30 flags, one for each MLB team, with latitude/longitude lines symbolizing the world, and 24-karat vermeil stitches representing those on a baseball. The sterling silver trophy weighs approximately 20 pounds and stands 24 inches high with a diameter of 11 inches. Etched on the base are the words, “Presented by the Commissioner of Baseball,” along with the signature of Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr.

Each year, one full-sized trophy is constructed and presented to the winner of the World Series by the Major League Baseball Commissioner.

About the Cubs Team Store:

The Chicago Cubs have opened a new Cubs Team Store for fans shopping on the Magnificent Mile this offseason. The new location, operated in partnership with Levy Restaurants, will be open through April and offer an expanded line of products sold at Wrigley Field – including popular World Series merchandise, holiday gifts and new items arriving daily. Fans can purchase exclusive merchandise from clothing brands including Columbia Sportswear, Johnnie-O, Majestic Athletic and Under Armour. The Cubs Team Store is located at 663 N. Michigan Ave. and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Imagine having no food: Not on the dinner table, or in the pantry, or even in the fridge. This isn’t the scene of a third-world country, but of our very own America. Poverty and hunger are often a joint package.

One of the most common effects of poverty is its negative impact on health and nutrition. Food deserts are parts of the country where people are living without cars or supermarkets within a mile of their home.

These deserts are usually in poor communities. The result: People have few affordable options to feed themselves, often left to shop at mini-marts, only carrying processed foods.

Among all of this is VittleWise, a Chicago non-profit organization that’s rescuing food, delivering it to families in need, and providing nutrition education.

A Welcome Detour

It all started just outside of Detroit. It was here that Ed Beebe grew up loving food. Long story short: he went to culinary school, became a chef, and then his career met a roadblock.

“The recession after 9/11, I remember vividly any restaurant that I worked at, there would be more people knocking at our backdoor than coming in the restaurant,” shared Ed. “Those two things hit me hard.”

Eventually Ed decided to pursue a Masters in Marketing and worked for the American Medical Association for five years. It was here he learned more about nutrition, and the impact of unhealthy food on the body. For a guy who always knew he wanted to do something with food, an idea sparked.

“It all came back to one thing, food education. For a lot of people, their diets still weren’t changing just because they had access to healthier food,” said Ed. “That’s how VittleWise started, finding that fulfillment in doing culinary work and volunteer work.”

Voilà, VittleWise

Feeding Families

In Chicago, it’s estimated that 55 million pounds of food are wasted annually. Through a growing network of donors and food businesses, VittleWise is taking a stab at reducing food waste throughout the city.

Today, VittleWise delivers rescued food to families throughout Chicago. At this point, the recipients are about a halfway split between single-mothers and elderly people.

These families are not only receiving food, but improving their health. For one family in Hyde Park, the healthy food donations allowed each family member to get rid of their diabetic symptoms.

“They took me in as a long lost family member or friend. There’s people that really don’t have a whole lot,” said Ed. “Just dropping the food off, and seeing how happy they are.”

An Open Door

In 2015, Ed came to the State Farm Next Door® facility in Lincoln Park.

“I wanted to make sure I wasn’t jumping into something unmanageable with this new idea of a delivery program,” said Ed.

VittleWise was selected over more than 55 applicants to become the Project in Residence, a six-month residency program that provides the space and knowledge to help project owners launch their business.

“The biggest impact Next Door had was being able to have more of a business mindset. I had the passion and the drive, but not the business mindset,” said Ed. “They knew how to bring that in.”

VittleWise completed their residency at Next Door, and continues to make progress day by day. The non-profit has recently moved to a larger space to accommodate the growing food donations, and two new cookbooks will be coming out soon.

Stay tuned and stay healthy!

Click for more information on food deserts.

Learn more about Next Door Chicago by following @nextdoorchicago on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and subscribe to their newsletter here.

The reward for good work…is more work. At least for Clare Pfotenhauer. The former police officer retired at 50 and then started a new career. Clare shared, “Retiring at 50 was too young.”

Let’s rewind to June 1988. Clare Pfotenhauer just graduated from the police academy and began her exciting and rewarding career with the Illinois State Police in Chicago.

Her very first night on the job, Clare was called to a traffic crash. What she saw was horrific; an unrestrained child was trapped underneath the dash of an overturned vehicle. “I believed this experience was a sign I should begin working on child passenger safety issues”.

Within several years, she progressed through the ranks and became a Safety Education Officer. For more than 18 years, she conducted child seat inspections, organized traffic safety programming and even ran safety education booths at the Chicago Auto Show and Illinois State Fair. She knew she found her niche in safety education.

Clare was an integral part of the department. In 2011, she was promoted to Sergeant in the Patrol Unit. Just a year later she was transferred to the Public Information Office Safety Education Unit as the Statewide Coordinator.

Clare’s work in the Safety Education Unit gave her the opportunity to focus on community programming. She was involved in a variety of activities including:

• Child Passenger Safety Seat Technician Training, Recertification Classes and Seat Inspections;
• Traffic Safety Programming;
• Safety Education Booth at the Chicago Auto Show, the Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin County Fair;
• Lifesavers Conference as a presenter and organizer; and
• Safety Education Officer Conference as a presenter and organizer and press events for holiday emphasis periods

On December 31, 2015, after 27 years of service, Clare retired from the Illinois State Police as the Northern Deputy Chief Public Information Officer. But this hero couldn’t just walk away from what had become her calling.

“I started my career with the Illinois State Police at the early age of 21,” shared Clare. “As a result, I maxed out my time with the Illinois State Police and retired at 50. Now, I’m following my passion, working to improve child passenger and teen driver safety.”

She is now the Child Passenger Safety Coordinator for Cook County and neighboring counties. She also serves as the Regional Traffic Safety Liaison, providing traffic safety programming for teens and seniors at RUSH-Copley Hospital.

Through the efforts of Clare, State Farm, and other traffic safety partners, Illinois is able to provide educational, interactive and engaging traffic safety programming for all ages statewide.

This superhero may have retired but she is still making it her job to save lives. Thanks Clare!

To read how auto safety work like Clare’s saved a young girl’s life, read Saving Leilani.