OUR origin STORY

In 2021, we launched a groundbreaking citywide Time Capsule in Chicago, enabling children to process and share their pandemic stories. Our aim was to celebrate them as an extraordinary generation who navigated unprecedented challenges with resilience.

Teaming up with 40 organizations, including Chicago Public Library, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Lurie Center for Childhood Resilience, MyChi MyFuture, and Multiple, we helped kids from every corner of the city to contribute to this collective memory.

As the project concluded, we asked ourselves: "How else can a time capsule support our young people?" Conversations with parents, educators, and youth revealed that what we had created was more than a record of history; it was a potent tool for nurturing ongoing youth well-being.

At the core of our work is the Youth Time Capsule, an annual tradition that fosters connection, reflection, and creative expression among youth, particularly those from underserved communities. We aim to nurture a sense of belonging and self-worth by providing a platform for youth to document their journeys through storytelling, art, and creative expression.