Resource Central
The Nucleus of the Conference
Located in the Grand Ballroom, 2nd FloorVisit Resource Central early and often for everything you need to learn, share, and connect with other attendees. You can:
- Pick up your registration materials and tickets for off-site sessions.
- See the latest products, services, and programs available from our industry partners.
- Learn more about the benefits of being a Council member.
- Network with your colleagues and enjoy refreshments.
- Leave messages for other attendees.
- Check your e-mail or use the Internet at the Cyber Café. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the conference in Resource Central, meeting rooms, and public areas.
Marketplace at Resource Central
The Marketplace is a new feature of this year’s conference. We have curated four local Chicago-based nonprofits that are doing work in four diverse areas: vocational skills development, documentary film and storytelling, nutrition and youth, and literacy for school-aged children. These organizations provide an opportunity for you to see actual work in action as we strive to make our communities safer and reduce issues of food insecurity—two of our main content areas of this year’s conference.
Marketplace Vendors:
beelove™ – Sweet Beginnings, LLC
Sunday, April 7, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
In accordance with the off-site session, Connecting Hope and Opportunity in North Lawndale and Pilsen, Sweet Beginnings, LLC will be offering their beelove™ products in the Resource Central Marketplace.
On Monday afternoon during the off-site session, attendees will tour iconic North Lawndale College Preparatory Charter High School and meet with student ambassadors to discuss the impact the school has had on shaping a positive future for young African-American men. A subsidiary of the North Lawndale Employment Network, Sweet Beginnings is also deeply involved in the North Lawndale community. Through the beelove™ initiative, Sweet Beginnings offers full-time transitional jobs for individuals with significant barriers to employment, particularly formerly incarcerated men. This work program helps individuals establish a work history, develop necessary job skills, and find permanent employment in related industries.
All of the gourmet honey-infused beauty products are all derived from Sweet Beginnings’ North Lawndale apiary (beehives). Every beelove™ purchase supports Sweet Beginnings in its efforts to assist Chicagoans facing barriers to employment.
Kartemquin Films
Monday, April 8, 7–11 a.m.
At this year’s conference, attendees will have a chance to watch 15 films that have been selected as part of this year’s Film + Video Festival. Documentaries play a critical role in storytelling and social change. Kartemquin Films is the maker of the documentary “The Interrupters,” a critically acclaimed exposé chronicling the work of everyday men and women in their effort to eliminate violence in Chicago communities. It won the Henry Hampton Award at last year’s Annual Conference.
Founded in Chicago in the 1960s, Kartemquin Films is one of the nation’s preeminent documentary film studios. Their films have had an undeniable impact on Chicago communities, shedding light on overlooked societal failings, exposing injustices done to underserved communities, and documenting the trials and unlikely achievements of Chicago citizens. These documentaries have received a number of awards, including the 2007 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions and the Chicago Film Critics Association’s Big Shoulders Awardin recognition of outstanding service to the film community and the world.
Visit the Kartemquin Films booth to purchase moving and inspiring films or to discuss social justice and empowerment. Proceeds will support Kartemquin in the development of future films.
Common Threads
Monday, April 8, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Chef Art Smith’s nonprofit initiative, Common Threads, will be operating a booth in the Resource Central Marketplace as an extension of the breakfast plenary, Leveraging Our Talents and Resources to Make a Global Difference.
Founded in 2003, the mission of Common Threads is to bring food-related learning to children in underserved communities. Through professionally-led after-school programs, children learn about nutrition and about cooking affordable and fulfilling meals. Infused in the learning is an appreciation for and exploration of different cultures, and an emphasis on the dichotomy of family and nutrition in the nourishment of children.
Meet with Common Threads in Resource Central to discuss the challenges of ensuring childhood nutrition in underserved communities, the urgency of the obesity epidemic, and the often-overlooked problem of malnourishment in the United States. Or take home a piece of Chicago with one of the organization’s cookbooks. The sale of Common Threads’ goods will help support its after-school health and nutrition programming.
826 Chicago
Tuesday, April 9, 7 a.m.–Noon
Continuing the conversation at this year’s conference about developing safe communities and fostering positive outcomes for young adults, join 826 Chicago representatives as they share stories of developing young people’s creative and expository writing skills.
826 Chicago provides tutoring, after-school programs, field trips, assistance with student publications, and programs for learners of English as a second language. With emphasis on offering engaging and rewarding learning experiences, students discover how to be expressive, creative, and confident in their communication skills as they strive to establish their unique voice.
Founded by author Dave Eggers, 826 Chicago utilizes unique retail storefronts that generate revenue to support the learning centers housed in the back of the same establishments. Chicago 826 operates The Boring Store, Chicago’s only undercover secret agent supply store. The Boring Store outfits its spy-entele with the latest and greatest in espionage-related wares. Stop by the 826 Chicago booth to learn more and pick up some spy gear for yourself or your loved ones. The sale of all goods contributes to 826 Chicago’s free educational programming.
