This holiday season, I’m raising funds for something deeply important to me. I'm very proud to have founded the All Stars Project of Chicago 18 years ago in 2007. I have personally witnessed the growth and development of tens of thousands of young people here in Chicago through our core programs - the All Stars Talent Show Network and the Leslie J. Raffel Development School for Youth (DSY). The DSY is a free 10-week afterschool program that has been a lifeline for young people from underserved communities. As 17-year-old Diego shared, “So many people my age are hesitant to try new things… The All Stars Project helped me, and others, feel like we belong.”

It costs $5,000 to support one student through outreach, transportation, and 10 weeks of programming that lead to paid internships and real pathways to college and careers. My year-end goal is to raise enough to bring at least one more young person into this life-changing program, and I need your help before December 31. If you can, please make a gift—any amount truly helps.