Hamilton Wings

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Hamilton Wings

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Hamilton Wings works to promote leadership development and academic readiness for children through the use of and access to high-quality arts.

Hamilton Wings’ programs target diverse, economically and/or socially disadvantaged children aged 6-17 who have limited access to arts and enrichment programs at school and at home. Hamilton Wings offers youth and their families opportunities for meaningful, creative, non-traditional learning, and promotes participation by children and families in the area’s rich cultural resources. Founded in 1995 by (the late) Ann Jones, then principal of Garfield Elementary School, and Dr. Risé Jones, Hamilton Wings is an enrichment program that uses arts-immersion activities to promote leadership, self-development, and academic readiness among youth in the Elgin community. Hamilton Wings was named in memory of the late Dr. Charles Hamilton Jones. Early Hamilton Wings programs featured stand-alone Saturday sessions at Gail Borden Library primarily serving students from Elgin’s Garfield Elementary School. In collaboration with local artists, Hamilton Wings developed experiential learning workshops designed to introduce students to various art forms, which they then used to create arts-based projects and explore such related concepts as decision-making, self-representation, composition, and goal-setting. Programs included Do-It -Yourself Opera, a workshop with vocalists from Lyric Opera of Chicago; the Art of Etiquette with home economist Ellie McKinney (Vocational Technical Coordinator, District U-46); the Art of Creating Theatre with dramatist Gerri Carter; Abstract Art with John Davy of the Fox Valley Arts Council; Newspaper Writing with Teresa Mask of the Daily Herald; and the Art of Ballet with guest teachers from the Lisa Boehm School of Ballet

22/09/2026

For years, these pages have captured the creativity, joy, and inspiring moments that made Hamilton Wings so special. As our organization completes its final chapter, our social media spaces (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Flickr) will be stepping offline following September 30th.
Before these pages wind down, we invite you to take a walk down memory lane with us. If there are photos, videos, or moments that hold a special place in your heart, please feel free to revisit, save, and download them over the next week.
While these digital archives are concluding, the impact, art, and connections built here live on through all of you. Thank you for filling our feeds—and our community—with so much life.
For any questions regarding board correspondence or organizational inquiries, please reach out to Donna Anderson, Board President, 224-402-0809, [email protected] or Jeff Meyer, Board Treasurer, 815-355-3843, [email protected]

09/09/2026

A heartfelt thank you from all of us at Hamilton Wings. 💜

As we approach September 30th—our official sunset date—we want to pause and express our deepest appreciation to everyone who helped bring the late Dr. Risé Dawn Jones’s vision to life over the years:

• Our school and community partners: for opening your doors and collaborating to uplift local youth.

• Our grantors and donors: for investing in arts education and believing in our purpose.

• Our students and families: for sharing your creativity, joy, and trust with us.

Thank you for every memory, every performance, and every milestone. It has been an honor to serve and create alongside you. ✨

31/08/2026

We are so grateful to know that these materials will continue to spark joy, play, and artistic expression with YWCA Elgin. Thank you for carrying the creativity forward and for being such a vital light for our local youth! 🎭👏

27/08/2026

At the heart of Hamilton Wings was the visionary spirit of the late Dr. Risé Dawn Jones, whose passion for empowering youth through the arts touched countless lives. 💜

To honor her memory and the beautiful community that brought this mission to life, our official Flickr archive is now live. Decades of performances, workshops, classroom breakthroughs, and shared smiles are preserved for you to explore, download, and cherish.

Take a walk down memory lane, find familiar faces, and help us celebrate the incredible journey we all shared.

🔗 Explore the full archive: 204893469@N06/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">www.flickr.com/people/204893469@N06/

Tag someone you spot or share a favorite memory in the comments! ✨

19/08/2026

Dear Hamilton Wings Family,

For over thirty years, Hamilton Wings has been a sanctuary for young people to discover their creative voices, build resilience, and take flight. Founded through the bold vision and profound dedication of the late Dr. Risé Dawn Jones, this organization grew into a loving creative home that shaped generations of young leaders and artists across our community.

Today, we write to share that after an extraordinary journey of creative empowerment, Hamilton Wings is officially sunsetting its programs and operations. While sharing this news brings deep sadness, our hearts are filled above all with immense gratitude. The true impact of our mission lives on in every student who found their confidence, every story shared on stage, and the vibrant community that stood behind us every step of the way.

To read our full statement, organizational transition details, and reflections on our journey, please visit our website at www.hamiltonwings.org

For questions regarding the transition, organizational archives, or to send a note to our leadership, our board remains accessible during this concluding period.

Donna Anderson, Board President: 224-402-0809 │ [email protected]
Jeff Meyer, Board Treasurer: 815-355-3843 │ [email protected]

27/06/2026

IT’S ALMOST TIME!

The cast of When We Are Older performs their original opera tonight, for one night only. Don’t miss it!

Link for tickets in our bio.

26/06/2026

SHOW TIME!!!

In a few hours, the cast of When We Are Older will preview the show to their family and then tomorrow debut it for the entire community!

We’re so proud of everyone and so excited for their big night. The true magic in our SCORE program is the creative process our students experience alBreak a leg!

Tickets are still available for tomorrow night!! Link in bio.

24/06/2026

Day 1 of tech rehearsal is complete!!

This is our first day running through the entire show front to back and incorporating our kids chorus. They’re not old enough to be in our full SCORE program yet but WOW will they be fantastic when they are!!

When We Are Older premieres this Saturday at ECC’s Blizzard Theater. This is a completely original story that you’ll only get to see once!

Get your tickets now with the link in our bio.

23/06/2026

🗣 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8! We’re back from break and ready to go!! Will we see you at our show this Friday?!

Link to purchase tix in our bio.

04/06/2026

You don't want to miss this!!! "When We Are Older", an original opera created by kids will be showing on Saturday, June 27th, 7:00 PM at Elgin Community College, Arts Center's Blizzard Theatre. 🎼

In this sweeping drama of grief and betrayal, two young girls, Crystal and Mia, forge an inseparable bond amidst the rain-soaked sorrow of a funeral. However, their devotion is soon tested by the poisonous lies of a jealous peer, leading to a public confrontation that costs Crystal’s mother her livelihood and shatters the girls' relationship. Through a series of sharp, melodic arguments and a tragic final insult, the two are forced to confront the fragility of trust and the heavy burden of guilt. Spanning fifteen years from a somber playground to a chance encounter in a distant coffee shop, When We Are Older explores whether time can truly heal the wounds of the past or if some bridges, once burned, remain lost to the echoes of memory.

Get your tickets here 👉 https://eccartscenter.org/events/ire/

Address

Telephone

(847) 697-0876

Website

http://www.hamiltonwings.com/

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