Horizons for Youth and Laurens Hope

My name is Chris Kelleher and I am raising money for a great charity, Laurens Hope, which is a part fof a larger charity known as Horizons for Youth.  Lauren's Hope was inspired by Sister in Law Lauren Heath, who passed away two years ago.  Her memory lives on as this organization is making a big positive impact on the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, helping hundreds of under-privelaged families and kids.  More detail below.  Any donations are really appreciated. 
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Lauren’s Hope is a strategic initiative conceived by Lauren's friends and family in partnership with Horizons for Youth. The objective is to help revitalize the Austin neighborhood through education, economic development, and community development.

History of Lauren’s Hope
Lauren and her husband, Kent Barnett, founded the On Cloud Nine gala in 2001 to honor the memory of their daughter, Paige, who unexpectedly lost her life in 2000 at only 18 months old, and to support the children of Horizons for Youth.

Through her involvement with Horizons for Youth, Lauren spent nearly two decades working to help Chicago children achieve their full potential. Lauren passed away in July 2015 after a courageous 18-month battle with brain cancer, and her legacy lives on through this initiative.

A devoted mother and advocate for children, Lauren was especially moved by the need for greater educational and economic opportunities in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, located less than a mile from her home in Oak Park. While she was fighting cancer, Lauren grew determined to energize her friends and family to address the issue.

LAUREN'S HOPE'S GOALS FOR 2016-2021 PARTIALLY FUNDED BY THIS CAMPAIGN INCLUDE:

*Significantly increase the number of Austin children participating in the Horizons for Youth program.
(The Horizons for Youth Mission is to enable students from low-resource neighborhoods to become the first in their families to graduate from college.)

*Enhance the overall capability and sustainability of Horizons’ partner schools in Austin.

*Launch the first block of our “one block at a time” economic development approach.

*Enable affordable home ownership with educational support to ensure long-term success.

*Improve the day-to-day life of Austin residents by facilitating better access to healthcare and support programs.