A group of children and a young adult gathered around a table in a classroom setting, engaging in conversation and activities. A colorful poster is displayed in the background.

CONNECTING KIDS ACROSS CLASSROOMS, COMMUNITIES, AND TIME.

At Once Upon Our Time Capsule, we empower youth to explore their past, understand their present, and dream boldly about their future. We transform the traditional time capsule into a collective storytelling experience, empowering youth to reflect, connect, and share their voices.

How THE TIME CAPSULE works

  • Child with glasses smiling and raising left arm, wearing a navy blue shirt, sitting in a classroom setting.

    Each year, we launch a new Youth Time Capsule with a unique theme and an aligned project-based, supplemental curriculum.

  • Children participating in an arts and crafts activity around a table covered with a striped tablecloth. The table is filled with paper, markers, colored pencils, and craft materials. Children are focused on drawing and crafting.

    In schools, after-school programs, summer camps, and homeless shelters, youth use writing, art, and video to create and share artifacts for the digital Youth Time Capsule.

  • Two teachers standing in front of a classroom whiteboard, smiling and holding books and papers. A classroom setting with students raising hands, colorful posters, and educational materials displayed on the walls.

    When the Time Capsule is reopened, participants are reconnected with the stories they preserved and can reflect on how far they’ve come. 

how we help kids

Our time capsule is digital, providing an updated take on an old tradition. Supported by a dynamic curriculum which can be deployed in a variety of settings, we encourage kids to share their unique stories with each other and the world.

  • Through the process of contributing to the Youth Time Capsule, youth reflect on their personal growth and achievements, their values, and their communities. They articulate their experiences, perspectives, and dreams through writing, art, and digital media. Along the way, they build their sense of self-worth.

    Research consistently shows that individuals with higher levels of self-worth are more resilient to stress, less likely to develop mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and more likely to engage in healthy behaviors.

  • Research shows that when children feel socially connected to and accepted by others, they experience better physical and mental well-being and they even perform better in school. Once Upon Our Time Capsule fosters a sense of belonging by valuing diversity, encouraging connection, and empowering youth to be their authentic selves within the community.

ATTENDANCE

82% of students said they enjoy school more on days when they do the Time Capsule program

CONFIDENCE

81% of students reported increases in self-awareness and positive identity

CONNECTION

83% of students said adults and peers in their school understand them better after participating in the Time Capsule progam.

OUR Partners

We partner with schools, after school programs, and government agencies to bring our programming to youth in a variety of settings. Reach out to us at hello@ourtimecapsule.org with ways you want to partner.

  • Chicago Urban League logo with text 'Opportunity. Community. Impact.'
  • Chicago Public Schools logo with silhouettes of students and graduate.
  • Logo of Communities In Schools Chicago, featuring a stylized house and figures in blue, green, and red above the text.
  • Logo with the word 'WINGS' and the tagline 'helping kids soar', featuring two blue wing illustrations.
  • YMCA logo with blue "Y" and purple triangle
  • Logo of DREAM Charter School with a red shield design.
  • International Rescue Committee logo with a black arrow and text on a yellow background.
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago logo with interlocking blue hands graphic.
  • Logo of KIPP Chicago, College Prep Public Schools, featuring a blue font on a white background.

Teachers LOVE US

  • " I see some of the most shy students begin to open up and show bravery by participating and sharing their ideas with the whole class. Students have the opportunity to show off their true authentic selves, helping them build their confidence. The attendance for the program is also one of the highest for after school, which highlights how engaging the program is for our students. I am grateful for the commitment Once Upon Our Time Capsule offers in partnering with us to provide support to the well being of our students.”

    Mary Hayes, Chicago Public School teacher

  • “Students need more opportunities to use their imagination and to connect socially without the use of electronics. The program provides a space for students to do just that-- to be kids.”

    Anonymous Survey, public school teacher

  • “Through their innovative approach and unwavering commitment to inclusivity, Once Upon has created a space where every child feels valued, heard, and empowered. Their dedication to promoting equitable opportunities for connection and personal development aligns closely with our organization’s core values.”

    Anonymous Survey, public school teacher

  • "The program was amazing... Our students benefited so much. It really gave them a chance to reflect on their own identity, their own culture, and what makes them special and unique. What was really amazing was that they got to share that side of themselves with their peers and with their class. I can't say enough wonderful things about the program."

    -Monica Balesh, Counselor, Philip D. Armour Elementary School, a Chicago Public School

thanks to our supporters

  • MacArthur Foundation logo in blue and green text on a white background.
  • The word "INNOVATION" with "800" above the last "O" in orange.
  • Wintrust logo with "In the community" text below.
  • Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses logo
  • Logo of Polk Bros Foundation with colored bar
  • Logo of Bloomberg Philanthropies in purple text on a white background.
  • Crown Family Philanthropies logo with abstract design and text.
  • Cognia logo with stylized black text and a red dot accent.
  • Logo of Frechette Family Foundation with stylized tree icon.