About Wards365
Wards365 is a social enterprise initiative of Christmas in the Wards with a mission to lead programs that prioritize equity in lived experience, foster resiliency and community self-determination, build local systems, and propel human capital across Chicago communities 365 days a year. EVERY DAY, historically marginalized, hard-to-count communities grapple with access gaps in goods and services, inequities in resources, and the struggles of resiliency in their neighborhoods.
For almost 30 years, Christmas in the Wards has served these communities throughout Chicago with food, clothing, education technology, and necessities, along with surprise gifts from Santa to thousands of deserving families through the abundance of generosity that marks the holiday season. However, when the Season of Giving passes, in the wards across Chicago from south to west to north, communities seek and strive for better in the face of institutional and socio-economic adversity, divestment, and disenfranchisement.
Our Purpose: Bridging Gaps that Build Resilient Communities through Community-Centered Initiatives.
Supporting equity, access, and resiliency to the people, communities, and wards of Chicago.
re∙sil∙ience
Noun
1. The capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties
2. The ability of a substance/object to spring back into shape; elasticity
“Resilient people possess three characteristics — a staunch acceptance of reality; a deep belief, often buttressed by strongly held values, that life is meaningful; and an uncanny ability to improvise. You can bounce back from hardship with just one or two of these qualities, but you will only be truly resilient with all three. ” – Diane Coutu
Bridging Gaps to
Build Resiliency
2024 Signature Events
Coming May 2024
Pre-Summer Resource and Social Impact
Festival Serving 2000+ Families
Coming October 2024
Foodtober
Month-Long Food Insecurity Activations Providing 10,000 Meals and Nutrition
Coming December 2024
28th Annual Season of Giving Supporting 1000+ Need-Based Families