The Chicago Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

08/20/2026

The Chicago Chapter is proud to congratulate Chicago State University on receiving a $10,000 grant from the Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc.!

We are especially proud to serve as a community partner to this incredible institution and to support the continued impact of its Pre-Freshman Program in Engineering and Science (PREP).

PREP has helped Chicago middle and high school students explore the possibilities of STEM through hands-on learning, engineering research, science fairs, technology exposure, and national STEM competitions, all while preparing students for success in college-level STEM courses.

This grant will help PREP continue opening doors, expanding opportunity, and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers.

Congratulations, Chicago State University! We look forward to seeing the lasting impact this investment will have on the students and families you serve.

08/10/2026

The greatest measure of our legacy is what our children carry forward and plant in others.
🩷💙

This summer, our JJ Chicago Alumni proved that service does not end when our teens graduate—it simply grows with them.

In partnership with the The Jaden Sebastian Blake Foundation, our Legacy Teens wrote heartfelt cards and donated LEGO sets to children hospitalized with sickle cell disease, offering encouragement, comfort, and a little joy during their hospital stays.

They also rolled up their sleeves to support a blood drive because our blood matters. For patients living with sickle cell disease, access to compatible blood donations can make a life-changing difference, and our alumni answered the call.

The Chicago Chapter’s legacy of service, community, family, and impact continues long after our teens graduate and walk boldly into adulthood. These values were not simply part of their childhood activities, they were planted in their hearts.❤️

We are incredibly proud of the compassionate, service-minded adults they are becoming. With hearts like these leading the way, our future is very bright. 🌟

Help us continue supporting children and families in our community by joining the Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Chicago Chapter team for the St. Jude Walk/Run on Saturday, September 26, at Brookfield Zoo.

Walk with us, fundraise with us, and help us make an even greater impact:

https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?pg=team&team_id=333698&fr_id=164550

07/26/2026

The Five Star World Class Chicago Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated proudly congratulates Deidre S. Lindsey on her historic election as the 29th National President of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated! 🎉🎉🎉

There is something especially meaningful about watching one of our own from the Mid-Western Region step forward to lead our beloved organization on the national stage.

Madam National President, your journey of service, leadership and commitment has prepared you for this moment. From your service as National Treasurer to now answering the call to serve as National President, you continue to demonstrate what it means to lead with purpose and put our children, families and organization first.

The Chicago Chapter stands proudly with you as you begin this next chapter of leadership. We celebrate you. We support you. And we look forward with excitement to all that is possible under your leadership.

May God grant you wisdom, discernment, strength and grace as you lead our sisterhood forward. May your tenure be filled with impact, progress and a legacy that strengthens Jack and Jill for generations yet to come.

From Chicago to the Mighty Mid-Western Region and across this entire sisterhood — CONGRATULATIONS, MADAM NATIONAL PRESIDENT DEIDRE S. LINDSEY! 🌟

We are ready to lock arms and move forward together.

Mission Possible.
One Purpose. One Future. Our Children.

🩷💙 Long Live Jack and Jill! 💙🩷

07/13/2026

Great advice!

Mid-Year Money Check-In

We're halfway through the year, and for many of us, our wallets have definitely felt it!

By now, you may have:
✨ Enjoyed a family summer vacation
✨ Paid for Teen Leadership Conference
✨ Paid for and planning for National Convention
✨ Paid our membership dues for the upcoming program year
✨ Have started planning chapter activities, grade group activities, and upcoming events

Now is the perfect time to pause and take a mid-year financial check-in.

As we prepare for another incredible Jack and Jill program year, let's be intentional about creating a financial plan that allows our children to continue experiencing those unforgettable "But for Jack and Jill" moments—the leadership opportunities, cultural experiences, service projects, friendships, and memories that help shape who they become.

Here are a few tips to help set your family up for success:

💗 Create a Jack and Jill budget. Estimate costs for dues, programming, travel, attire, fundraising, and regional or national events before the year begins.

💙 Pay yourself first. Continue saving for your family's future while planning for chapter activities.

💗 Start a monthly sinking fund. Setting aside a little each month makes larger expenses—like conferences and conventions—much more manageable.

💙 Prioritize experiences over extras. Focus on the events and programs that will have the greatest impact on your children's growth and development.

💗 Plan for the unexpected. Build a small cushion for last-minute opportunities, travel changes, or additional chapter expenses.

💙 Take advantage of rewards. Use travel points, hotel rewards, cashback programs, and early registration discounts whenever possible.

💗 Review your spending. Celebrate what went well this year and identify areas where you can save or adjust before the next program year begins.

Remember, financial planning isn't about saying "no" to opportunities—it's about saying "yes" with confidence to the experiences that matter most.

Here's to another year of intentional planning, meaningful investments in our children, and creating memories they'll cherish for a lifetime.

Because some moments truly are... But for Jack and Jill.

07/03/2026

Investing in the future of Chicago Youth, one scholar at a time. ✨🎓

The Chicago Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is proud to celebrate five outstanding young men who embody academic excellence, leadership, service, and limitless potential.

In partnership with the Chicago Urban League, we were honored to award five $1,000 scholarships to these exceptional graduating seniors as they begin the next chapter of their journeys:

🎉 Gregory Mitchell – Dartmouth College
🎉 Jalen Boyd – Florida A&M University
🎉 Joshua Ogundipe – Northern Illinois University
🎉 Kieron Bonaparte – Howard University
🎉 Rodd Giddens – DePaul University

Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients! Your Chicago community is cheering you on as you pursue your dreams, lead with purpose, and create lasting impact. We cannot wait to see all that you accomplish.

We also extend special congratulations to our Teen President, Carter Elligan (Tracey Lewis Elligan), who represented our chapter with poise and excellence by delivering remarks on behalf of the Chicago Chapter during the scholarship luncheon. We are incredibly proud of your leadership and the example you continue to set.

Special thanks to our Scholarship Committee for their tremendous work!

07/01/2026

Happy Birthday Madam President Alexis Hart McDowell of The Chicago Chapter. 💙💗 We appreciate her excellence and leadership!

06/15/2026

Today, we joyfully celebrate Colleen Dodson-Honoré, our 2025–2026 Outstanding Mother! 💗💙

For 17 beautiful years, Colleen has poured her gifts, wisdom, creativity, and heart into the Chicago Chapter. Her service has been marked by excellence, generosity, and a deep love for our children, our mothers, and our mission.

Colleen is the kind of mother member who makes things better simply by saying yes. As Technology Chair, she helped move our chapter forward by strengthening our digital systems and creating resources that continue to support us today. Her leadership brought order, innovation, and connection in ways that still bless the chapter.

And in her graduating year, Colleen gave us one more extraordinary gift. She took our desire to serve the broader community and helped turn it into a clear, thoughtful, and sustainable path forward. Through her Community Service Recommendations Report, she gave our chapter meaningful ways to serve during meetings, through chapter-wide events, and through on-demand opportunities that allow members to make an impact all year long.

Colleen helped us see service not as another task, but as a joyful expression of who we are. She built bridges, opened doors, and reminded us that when our chapter shows up with purpose, our impact reaches far beyond ourselves.

What a legacy. What a gift. What a mother.

Colleen, thank you for serving with grace, leading with vision, and leaving the Chicago Chapter stronger, more connected, and more inspired because of you.

Please join us in celebrating Colleen Dodson-Honoré, our 2025–2026 Outstanding Mother! ✨💗💙

06/12/2026

The Chicago Chapter is proud to recognize Alexis Hart McDowell as our 2025–2026 Inspirational Leader. 💗💙

When Alexis stepped into the presidency, she brought more than vision. She brought heart, intention, and a deep belief that a thriving chapter is built not only through programming, but through joy, connection, purpose, and love.

Under her theme, “The Highest Expression of Love, Leadership, and Legacy,” Alexis set a tone that has been felt throughout the chapter. She reminded us that leadership is not simply about moving an organization forward, it is about making people feel seen, valued, inspired, and connected along the way.

Through her intentional focus on member engagement, Alexis helped cultivate a culture where mothers wanted to show up, participate, serve, and build meaningful relationships. That vision came to life through the work of VP Joya Gibson Gregoire, Patrice Johnson, Dawn Hasbrouck and the entire Mothers Relations team, who brought renewed energy to our sisterhood and helped strengthen the sense of community that makes the Chicago Chapter so special.

Her leadership also extended beyond the chapter. Alexis made community presence and service impact a priority, ensuring that our work was visible, consistent, and meaningful beyond our membership. At the same time, she led with a commitment to operational excellence, guiding the chapter toward its first full attempt at the Five Star program, a milestone rooted in discipline, collaboration, and devotion.

Alexis Hart McDowell has led with strategy, grace, courage, and conviction. But most of all, she has led with love.

Because of her leadership, our chapter has been reminded of what is possible when joy, excellence, service, and sisterhood come together with purpose.

Please join us in celebrating Alexis Hart McDowell, our 2025–2026 Inspirational Leader! ✨

06/05/2026

Join us in celebrating Stacy Frazier as our 2025–2026 Outstanding Lead Teen Advisor!

Serving as Lead Teen Advisor requires patience, consistency, organization, and heart and Stacy has brought all of that and more to her leadership this program year. She helped guide our teens with care, supported their growth as leaders, and created space for them to show up, take ownership, build confidence, and make meaningful memories together.

Stacy’s commitment to our Teen Group has been steady, intentional, and deeply impactful. She brought administrative order, clear communication, structure, and accountability to the work, ensuring that our teens, mothers, and families were supported throughout the program year. Her leadership helped strengthen the foundation for successful teen programming and meaningful teen engagement.

From planning and communication to encouragement and follow-through, Stacy has served as a trusted advisor, thoughtful leader, and dependable presence. Her work reflects a deep belief in the promise and potential of our young people.

Because of Stacy’s leadership, our teens have been supported, challenged, celebrated, and prepared to lead with purpose. She has given her time and talent in service of their development, and the Chicago Chapter is stronger because of her dedication.

Congratulations Stacy Frazier, our 2025–2026 Outstanding Lead Teen Advisor! ✨

06/03/2026

The Chicago Chapter is proud to recognize Jason Wilder, husband of Ceshia Wilder, as our 2025–2026 Outstanding Father!

Jason’s commitment to The Chicago Chapter runs deep. As a former Chicago Chapter teen, Teen Chapter President, and Teen Regional Conference delegate, he understands firsthand the power of this organization to shape confidence, leadership, service, and lifelong memories. Today, he continues that legacy as a dedicated father who consistently shows up for our teens and our chapter.

Throughout this program year, Jason has been a steady and dependable presence at teen events, serving as a chaperone for nearly every major teen function, including the Teen Retreat at Covenant Harbor in Wisconsin, the Teen Valentine’s Day Party Fundraiser, the Six Flags outing, and the upcoming Teen Leadership Conference. His willingness to step in, support, drive, guide, and ensure our teens are safe and fully engaged reflects the very best of fatherhood and service.

Jason’s presence is more than participation. It is leadership in action. He models what it means to give back to an organization that poured into him, while helping create meaningful experiences for the next generation of Chicago Chapter teens.

We are grateful for his dedication, his dependability, and his heart for our children and families.

Please join us in congratulating Jason Wilder, our 2025–2026 Outstanding Father! ✨