Family support through our Community Hubs is our heartbeat. This November and December, that heartbeat was louder than ever as our campuses transformed into centers of holiday magic and community care. Our Community School Coordinators (CSCs) have been the holiday heroes on the ground, working alongside our students and other staff to bridge the gap between neighborhood resources and our families’ needs. From food drives to festive balls, the "Distinctive Way" has been all about showing up for one another with open hearts and helping hands.
At CICS Bucktown, Sophia Camacho and her students got hands-on at a local food pantry, bagging fresh produce to feed 15 families, while CICS Irving Park’s Morganne Stevens delivered Thanksgiving kits to 30 families and a pop-up resource table at dismissal. That momentum is still rolling, with Irving Park’s Student Council now taking the reins on a school-wide food drive! Similarly, at CICS Longwood High School, student leaders from Panthers 4 Peace stepped up to organize a food drive to distribute over 50 meals, demonstrating leadership while meeting critical needs within their school community. The spirit of community support came to full fruition at CICS Lloyd Bond, where former families have returned as partners through organizations like MGM Enrichment and Tomorrow Starts Today to provide food and toys for current families. These efforts were amplified by Youth Guidance and Men of Purpose, who distributed 16 family meals in November!
Our Community Hub promise came to life through the campus-to-campus kindness of Victoria Jones and Tammy Grier at the CICS Loomis-Longwood campus. They shared over 30 surplus coats with CICS Lloyd Bond—made possible by partners like Operation Warm and Enchanted Backpack—and coordinated with local food pantries to support families navigating SNAP benefit changes.
At CICS Prairie, Dolores Ruiz-Villalvazo partnered with Roseland Hospital and Kids Off the Block for a festive "Friendsgiving". Beyond community events, Dolores curated a "Christmas in a box" for a family of nine in need, while the Prairie Gospel Choir brought holiday cheer to the local "Cookies with Santa" celebration.
The magic continued at CICS West Belden, where Jesus Meraz and his team turned the school into a winter wonderland for "Disney Magic Night." Students danced the night away at the Winter Ball and snapped photos with Santa and Minnie Mouse, while our friends at GAP Community Center showered scholars with dozens of toy donations.
While these stories represent just a few of the many highlights from our campuses this year, they reflect the deep commitment of our entire community. Whether it’s a warm coat, a hot meal, or a gift under the tree, this season has been a beautiful reminder that we are at our best when we’re taking care of each other.
Want to join the magic of giving? Click here to donate to the Distinctive Schools Holiday Drive, where 100% of proceeds will be shared directly with Distinctive Schools families in the most need.