Serving People with a Mission

10/06/2026

In our third operating year (Aug 1, 2022 to Jul 31, 2023), Serving People with a Mission raised $24,853.56, more than triple the year before.

This year, we brought Hand-n-Hand to West Town with Noble Schools and launched our first summer program in Englewood with Grow Greater Englewood, our first community-based partner. Giving People expanded to serve over 1,200 people, and a Hand-n-Hand graduate shared her story live on CBS 2.

Thank you to Noble Schools and Grow Greater Englewood for walking hand-n-hand with us.

10/02/2026

Serving People with a Mission launched its programs in South Lawndale, a youth hot spot in Chicago. During the reopening of schools after COVID closures, SPM was among the first community-based organizations to reenter Chicago schools despite the ongoing risk. SPM being a youth leg organization, housed and protected its inaugural cohort of servant leaders and instilled the servant leadership mindset in those youth. SPM also saw the formation of its leadership, electing Jacque Stefanic as its leader.

10/01/2026

Founders Jacque, Carlos, and Valeria served as student leaders at Loyola and introduced a movement of servant leadership. They founded Serving People with a Mission to uplift, inspire, and change an entire community of young people, starting in Chicago. With these three at the forefront of servant leadership, SPM was born. In its first year alone, the founders pooled together $905.07 as college students to create Serving People with a Mission.

09/11/2026

Serving People with a Mission is hosting the Celestial Odyssey, a space to step into the future of doing good in our community.

This year, SPM turns 6 years old, and it's because of the people, like you, who have built it up: our donors, our students, our staff, and our servant leaders. SPM is setting a global vision to grow and impact people everywhere, and we recognize Chicago as our home.

Join us at Willis Tower's, The Metropolitan, on Thursday, November 5, 2026 for our next gala, an evening of elevated dining, cocktails, and entertainment, with live, silent, and online auctions plus raffle prizes.

Take a look back at last year's celebration in the video below, then reserve your spot for this year and bring your people: celestial-odyssey.eventlify.com

See you there!

09/09/2026

WE GOT THE GRANT 🎉

SPM was just awarded $243,750 from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) through the state's R3 Program (Restore, Reinvest, Renew).

What that means: our Hand-n-Hand Leadership Program is coming to North Lawndale, and 38 students there will get mentorship, leadership training, and real support for their future.

Thank you ICJIA for investing in North Lawndale's youth 🙏

Want in? We need volunteers, partners, and supporters. Link in bio (servingpeoplewithamission.org).

09/08/2026

Serving People with a Mission is coming to North Lawndale youth this fall. If you know of a student, or are a student that is between the ages of 13-18 and a resident of North Lawndale - our application is open: https://forms.gle/YXv9FDJGj2VS5WSz5.

We look forward to serving North Lawndale!

For questions please contact [email protected].

08/26/2026

Are you ready to help shape the future of Chicago's leaders? 🏙️✨

Join Serving People with a Mission and The Metropolitan at Chicago's Willis Tower for an inspiring evening dedicated to raising awareness around Servant Leadership and empowering both current and upcoming Chicago leaders.

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, November 5th

📍 Location: The Metropolitan at the Willis Tower

🎟️ RSVP Here: https://celestial-odyssey.eventlify.com/ (Link in bio!)

Check out the flyer for details, and tag someone who is passionate about making an impact in our city, our community, and world!

Building a brighter future for Chicago, one leader at a time. Celestial Odyssey is an invitation to look forward  to imagine what is possible when opportunity, purpose and community come together .On November 5, The Metropolitan will transform into an immersive evening inspired by discovery, po...

08/14/2026

A place where youth leaders and seasoned leaders are seen as equals... 💙

Earlier this summer, Serving People with a Mission hosted our Youth Summit at CineCity Studios in Chicago.

It was a time to recognize and honor our young servant leaders—to give them strength, support them, and protect them. A safe space where servant leaders from all walks of life in Chicago are able to gather and project a good future together.

At the SPM Youth Summit, we enjoyed presentations from our youth in our servant leadership programs. We heard about their past impact, addressed the present, and spoke of the future.

With more young servant leaders coming out of Serving People with a Mission, our community's future is good.

07/18/2026

A few weeks ago, members of SPM leaders had the opportunity to attend an event hosted by the Hadley Young Visionaries with our friends from the Springboard Foundation. It was an inspiring evening filled with meaningful connections, community, and learning more about Hadley's incredible mission and impact.

Thank you to Hadley Young Visionaries for having us. We had a wonderful time! ✨

07/18/2026

✨Philanthropic Project Recap! ✨

Our Hand-n-Hand Leadership participants turned compassion into action by collecting donations, volunteering at Shriners Children's Chicago, spending time with young patients, and giving back through a student-led fundraiser to raise money.

This project was organic youth leadership and is a powerful reminder that servant leadership is about using your experiences to uplift others and create lasting impact. We're so proud of our youth leaders and grateful to everyone who made this project possible to bring Good to our community. These leaders are continuously setting the example for their fellow peers in Chicago and beyond. 🌆🌎✨