Catalyst Directory

Shine Together, formerly known as Teen Success, Inc., helps young mothers complete high school and a postsecondary degree education and develop the knowledge and skills to nurture their child’s positive development. Utilizing a two-generation approach, Shine Together partners with young mothers to heal trauma, build skills and a future mindset, and address the barriers they face to being successful in school and in life. By supporting them in this, Shine Together is laying a foundation for continued success into the future and to break the cycle of poverty for two generations — young mothers and their children.

Skills for Chicagoland’s Future flips the traditional workforce model on its head, bridging the gap between employers and job-seekers by starting with the job first. The Skills team works deeply within communities to help companies successfully hire people who are unemployed, underemployed, or have nontraditional backgrounds, and remove barriers to meaningful work opportunities for qualified candidates. While Skills sources, vets, and prepares talent to match companies’ specific hiring needs, candidates get coaching and resources that help them to achieve long-term professional success.

Sky’s the Limit is taking on the nonfinancial barriers — like the lack of professional relationships and skills development — that prevent underrepresented entrepreneurs from achieving their full potential. Its team runs a powerful matchmaking software that connects entrepreneurs with expert volunteers to help them overcome their obstacles. As a result, Sky’s the Limit has cultivated a digital community that’s leveling the playing field for entrepreneurial success.

Sojourner’s Military Resiliency Center provides a safe space for veterans and their families to gather and build community. Recognizing that returning to civilian life is a difficult journey, Sojourner’s offers resources and community events to help veterans navigate the transition successfully.

Solutions for Change transforms lives and communities by working to permanently solve family homelessness. A solution focused on well-being and capacity-building, the organization works to create access for parents to the right set of opportunities, address root causes of dependency, and equip people with the skills, knowledge, and resources to permanently solve their homelessness. The comprehensive model blends affordable housing, educational opportunities, employment training, and health-related solutions — all within one cohesive strategic partnership.

Son of a Saint enhances boys' lives growing up without a father through long-term peer-to-peer relationships. Designed in response to research that shows boys without fathers face higher rates of justice involvement, substance abuse, and dropping out of high school, Son of a Saint initiates mentor-mentee relationships to positively shape boys’ personal development and unlock their full potential. Instead of a short-term fix, Son of a Saint invests in enduring personal relationships to address every boy’s unique needs.

SongwritingWith:Soldiers holds weekend retreats across the United States for veterans from all conflicts as they transition back to civilian life, fulfilling the need for services that build a community of support and combat isolation. Since 2012, the organization has connected with hundreds of veterans and military families, creating a safe and inspiring environment to share their experiences and write songs with professional songwriters. The songs are recorded and shared nationally, reaching and connecting more veterans and raising civilian awareness of the challenges the military community faces. When not writing songs, participants take workshops in creative writing, meditation, and more — to maximize the benefits of creative collaboration.

Sound Off delivers vital, long-term mental health support for veterans, service members, and intelligence officers while maintaining the anonymity of the person seeking help. Nearly 47% of those who meet the criteria for mental health disorders do not seek support due to personal and professional stigma, as well as a lack of trust in a clinician’s ability to understand their respective experiences. To overcome these obstacles, Sound Off enables users to maintain complete anonymity while receiving care from a licensed counselor or sharing their experiences with a peer who has walked the same path. By reducing the stigma and fear associated with seeking mental health support, Sound Off is ensuring veterans around the country are receiving the help they need on their own terms.

Springboard to Opportunities connects families in affordable housing with resources that empower them to overcome systemic barriers and achieve success in education, work, and life. By centering resident-driven solutions, the organization provides tailored support to meet the unique needs of each community, breaking cycles of poverty and fostering lasting change. Through strategic partnerships and deep community engagement, Springboard to Opportunities builds pathways for families to thrive and create a brighter future.

Starting Right, Now ends homelessness for youth by providing one-on-one mentoring and a stable home, along with assistance with employment opportunities, financial literacy, and life skills, and support for educational achievement.