Community Healers Graduate Ready to

Rebuild Chicago’s Communities— Block By Block

Graduation celebrates inspired leadership, visionary planning, and neighborhood transformation across Chicago’s West and South Sides.

Chicago, IL – The Capacity Building For Community Healers program will celebrate its Spring 2025 graduation on Friday, June 6, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon at La Palais Bu-Sche, located at 4628 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60644.

With a theme of Faith Over Fear:  Rebuilding Our Communities With Intention, Block By Block, the event will feature an inspiring keynote address by Anthony Oliver, Chairman and CEO of Community Ventures Investment Corporation (CVIC). He will use a metaphor of construction and rebuilding to demonstrate that every training, strategy, and connection is a brick toward more just, equitable, and sustainable communities.  Oliver will draw upon his experience of building community from the bottom up.  State Senator Lakesia Collins, the program sponsor and a dedicated advocate for community development, will provide kickoff remarks. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the graduates as they showcase their accomplishments through interactive displays. Elected officials representing the program’s target communities have been invited.

Award Presentations

As part of the ceremony, several distinguished individuals will be honored for their contributions to community healing:

• Donald J. Dew, MSW, ACSW, President/CEO, Habilitative Systems, Inc. – Holistic Community Healer Award

• Rev. Michael Eaddy, Pastor, Peoples Church of the Harvest COGIC– Community Healing Shepherd's Award

• John Paul Jones, Founder, Sustainable Englewood – Community Healing  & Justice Award

• Otis Monroe, President and CEO, The Monroe Foundation. – Community Healing Trailblazer Award

• Anthony Oliver, Chairman and CEO, CVIC– Community Healing Developer Award

About the Capacity Building For Community Healers Program

Sponsored by State Senator Lakesia Collins, the Capacity Building For Community Healers program is designed for nonprofit and faith-based leaders in North Lawndale, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, Austin, and Englewood who aspire to elevate their organizations. Participants include board members, executive directors, program managers, development managers, clergy, and career changers.

Capacity Building for Community Healers equips leaders with the tools and knowledge to strengthen their organizations and expand their impact.  To date, the program has touched nearly 200 nonprofits, offering workshops, coaching, an online community, organizational assessments and planning and leadership development. Program partners include Nonprofit Utopia, LLC, State Senator Lakesia Collins, the Illinois Department of Human Services, Teamwork Englewood, Friendship Baptist Church, Sankofa Safe Child Initiative and Deborah’s Place.

About Nonprofit Utopia, LLC

Founded by Valerie F. Leonard, Nonprofit Utopia, LLC is a premier learning community for leaders who want to start, manage, and grow nonprofit organizations. Through an array of online courses, coaching, consulting services, and a dynamic community network, Nonprofit Utopia empowers organizational leaders to enhance their skills and achieve their missions. Nonprofit Utopia will launch its  Nonprofit Founders’ Academy in July 2025.

Event Highlights

• Date: Friday, June 6, 2025

• Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 noon

• Location: La Palais Bu-Sche, 4628 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60644

• Keynote Speaker: Anthony Oliver, Chairman and CEO, CVIC

• Program: Graduate displays, awards, keynote address, certificate presentations, and light brunch

Members of the community, media, and stakeholders are invited to join in celebrating these remarkable leaders and their commitment to community healing.

RSVP and Media Inquiries

For attendance and media inquiries, please contact Valerie F. Leonard at valeriefleonard@nonprofitutopia.com or (773) 571-3886.

Nonprofit Utopia, LLC
The ideal community for leaders who want to start, manage and grow nonprofits.
www.nonprofitutopia.com

Having braved the economic storms of 2007, 2022, and now 2025, I invite you to join me in a robust conversation where faith, intellect, and collaboration take center stage. There are common themes to explore that could lead to strengthening the foundation of our community. Together, let’s redefine challenges into meaningful opportunities for all.

RSVP HERE