[ ALt_ ]

Started as a collaboration between Jon Veal and Jordan Campbell, alt Space Chicago (abbreviated alt_) was created in response to community trauma and the belief that art could be used as a tool for healing. Campbell’s family history of entrepreneurship and Veal’s lifelong passion for art merged to positively disrupt their communities through tangible acts of service. Sharing the mutual motivators of family, community, change and servanthood, Veal and Campbell moved forward to create alt_.

The communities on the South and West sides of Chicago have a history of disadvantaged resources so they created ‘alt_ market.’ They created a functional art installation that transforms abandoned spaces into a communal free market where members of the community can give and take, thus creating a temporary communal shared economy. The market meets the needs of neighbors going through tough times and highlights the importance of sharing resources in food desserts where access to fresh foods is scarce. The work transforms these buildings into a safe space for the community to be able to share, ultimately acting as a symbolic catalyst for new opportunities.

Since its inception, alt_ has expanded into an artist-led, Chicago-based non-profit that is dedicated to revitalization through art and culture. alt_ provides an alternative to the dominant cultural narrative, manifesting new opportunities on the South and West Sides of Chicago.

We’ve been following the work of alt_ for years and find their approach to community support inspiring. After the sudden death of their cofounder Jon, alt_ has continued to pursue his vision making an artful and supportive impact. withlove collective is proud to support the efforts of alt_ and is using the Enhance People’s Lives fund in Q4 2023 to do so.

After the Game

Sports and athletics can be vital in childhood. Not only are there obvious health benefits of being active, but there can be vital life skills of leadership, team work, and dedication. Unfortunately, the cost of kids sports has risen making it harder and harder for everyone to participate. We were thrilled to find After The Game which is a local Chicago charity working to help bring to opportunity of sports and athletics to more kids across the city.

After the Game’s mission is to create equitable and therapeutic opportunities for youth through the vehicle of sports, the arts & academics. We partner with schools and organizations to provide resources for children who can learn and excel in their chosen disciplines and build essential life skills such as teamwork, discipline, resilience, and self-confidence.

It’s exciting to see After the Game help children of all backgrounds discover their passions, develop essential skills, and unleash their full potential. We couldn’t be happier to support ATG with our Enhance People’s Lives Fund for August and September 2023.

Chicago canine rescue

Six years ago this scruff face came home. 6️⃣🎂 We met at @chicagocaninerescue and with her intense eye contact, immediately knew that was that and she had a home.

This July, like we do every year, are using our Enhance People’s Lives Fund to support CCR and their mission. CCR has been working since 2001 to find homes for homeless dogs and has saved over 7,000. They do an amazing job of truly knowing the dogs and what their needs will be and throughly vets the homes they’ll be placed in. CCR isn’t as big or well funded as some of the other agencies in Chicago but their caring is through the roof.

Talking about local is one thing and putting action behind it is another. 1% of all our revenue goes to our Enhance People’s Lives fund which highlights and contributes to local charities in our community working hard to help enhance people’s lives.

The Love Fridge

The Love Fridge is a Chicago-based initiative created to nourish communities through mutual aid. Powered by kindness, generosity, and most importantly, love, they firmly believe that feeding oneself is not a privilege, but a right.

With food insecurity at an all-time high, keeping our communities fed is now more important than ever. The volunteers come from all over Chicago, working within their own neighborhoods to collaborate with like-minded partners to place community refrigerators across the city. 

These refrigerators, painted by local artists to reflect the communities in which they live, provide neighbors the opportunity to donate food as well as take what they need, ensuring accessible food 24/7. 

During the Holiday season of 2022, we will be sharing our Enhance People’s Lives Fund to help support access to Love Fridges across the city.

After School Matters

As students return to school, it’s a time to remember the importance of not just education, but the programs and opportunities teachers and schools provide in the community. The more engaged a student is in studies and extracurricular programs the more likely they are to chase their potential.

After School Matters is non-profit organization that provides life-changing after-school and summer program opportunities to nearly 19,000 Chicago high school teens each year. Their mission is to provide Chicago public high school teens opportunities to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond.

Through hands-on programs, skilled professional instructors, and continued improvement, After School Matters provides teens with opportunities to discover their potential and find their future.

We’re thrilled to support After School Matters programs with our Enhance People’s Lives fund during July + August 2022.

Chicago Canine Rescue

At withlove, we want to support organizations that are making a positive impact in our communities. We started our Enhance People’s Lives Fund as a way to highlight and help fund things we believe in.

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Five years ago this pup came home from @chicagocaninerescue and in that time Penny has been a best friend, a travel partner, a running mate, an alarm clock, and been the greatest part of the last few years.

CCR is a small rescue that may not have as many resources as bigger rescues but they give a great amount of effort and care to the animals and made the adoption process a wonderful experience. This month we’re using our Enhance People’s Lives fund to support CCR and their efforts to place animals in loving homes.

Make City

We love making things and we love this city, so when we found the Make City organization it felt like natural fit.

Make City, located in four buildings on Chicago’s Near West Side, is one of the oldest and largest business incubators in the world. It houses over 110 new and growing companies across a diverse set of industries including food/beverage, light manufacturing, professional services, and apparel. Their goal remains to assist companies move toward long-term success.

It’s great to see on organization providing the space, education, and tools needed to help aspiring entrepreneurs create their dreams and that aligns with our values at withlove.

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Talking about local is one thing and putting action behind it is another. 1% of all our revenue goes to our Enhance People’s Lives fund which highlights and contributes to local charities in our community working hard to help enhance people’s lives.

Arts of Life

Every quarter we choose a local charity or organization to support with our Enhance People’s Live fund and we’re kicking off 2022 with support for @the_arts_of_life.

Arts of Life advances the creative arts community by providing artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership.

Everyone can create and Arts of Life programs are helping artists be a part of supportive community.

Talking about local is one thing and putting action behind it is another. 1% of all our revenue goes to our Enhance People’s Lives fund which highlights and contributes to local charities in our community working hard to help enhance people’s lives.

Pilsen Food Pantry

This quarter we're using our Enhance People's Lives Fund to support @pilsen_food_pantry.

Pilsen Food Pantry started in March 2020 as a response to food insecurity that was accelerated by the pandemic. 1 in 3 Chicago families are food insecure and it's nearly twice as high in Black and Brown communities. They aim to address health and social outcomes through the direct distribution of high quality and culturally-appropriate foods.

Normally we donate quarterly, but this season we will be donating monthly to not miss the families in need during the holidays.

Talking about local is one thing and putting action behind it is another. 1% of all our revenue goes to our enhance people’s lives fund which highlights and contributes to local charities in our community working hard to help enhance people’s lives.

Chicago Canine Rescue

At withlove, we want to support organizations that are making a positive impact in our communities. We started our Enhance People’s Lives Fund as a way to highlight and help fund things we believe in.

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Four years ago I welcomed Penny home from @chicagocaninerescue. This bunch of scruff has been a best friend since day one. Road trips, morning runs, patio hangs, and product deliveries during last years shut down, we’ve done it all together.

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CCR has been working since 2001 to find homes for homeless dogs and has saved over 7,000. They do an amazing job of truly knowing the dogs and what their needs will be and throughly vets the homes they’ll be placed in. CCR isn’t as big or well funded as some of the other agencies in Chicago but their caring is through the roof.

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If you’re looking for a running buddy, travel partner, or endless cuddles with a friend, check them out. I’m glad I did and proud to be supporting CCR this quarter!