Our dear friend, Monika Neuland Thomas has helped and inspired many people in her work as an artist, teacher, mentor, mother, culture-keeper and care-giver.  But now she needs our help.   
Monika has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer -- invasive ductal carcinoma triple negative --  and will be undergoing treatment (surgery, chemo and radiation) starting in early August.    Her insurance coverage is meager and she needs help to pay for treatment and cure.   Please help us help her.

Monika has unleashed the creativity of hundreds of adults with special needs through her work at Envision Unlimited and shared it in parks, farms, camps, circus parades, and storefronts.  She has learned and taught the crafts and techniques of artisans across the globe as the first Artist in Residence at the Chicago Cultural Center.   She has guided the development of individual artists and organizations like The Weaving Mill, ZeroLandfill, Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange, Envision Westtown Community Kitchen, and others.  And that is only the tip of Monika's influence.   

She has touched so many -- we need her more than ever.

The Funds raised here will help pay medical bills and related expenses.  They will be used for therapy, from massage to chemo.  She will use them to offset necessary living expenses while taking time off from work during her treatment and recovery.  

If you have questions or would like to contact Monika, please leave us a message here and we will forward it to her.   We are all joining together to help her make it through this challenging time.  Please join us and please share this with others who care.

Thank you.


Martha Boyd, Isabella Kimrey, Barbara Koenen, Kristen Noonan, Siv Sjursen, and Emily Winter

July, 2019  Chicago, IL