We spent Easter Saturday with Clara at Clara’s House Shelter. Whatever your religious belief, Spring is a time of rebirth. Spring is a time to begin anew. It is a time of Hope. Whenever we begin again, we do so with the hope of infinite possibilities. However, we should never forget where we began. Remembering where it all began is a reminder to be grateful and it is a time to reflect.

For Dreams For Kids it all began on 12/24/89, at Clara’s House Shelter. Spending time with Clara on Easter Saturday was a gift. It was a reminder of where and when the spirit of Dreams for Kids was born. Sitting in front of the same fireplace of 20 years ago where Santa brought hope for 54 kids who would never have known it was Christmas, had we had not come, Clara shared from her heart about, what the last 20 years has meant to her. It was an emotional experience. Clara spoke of the “working poor.” She said, “We had nothing. No money, no experience, and we had never even been inside a shelter. We still had something to give to those in need. And so we did.”

I realized the very mission of Dreams For Kids was born in that room. The world is listening now, and it is the working poor of the Southside of Chicago who made it all possible. Dreams For Kids is creating an unprecedented global movement of youth empowerment and it was born in a tiny shelter and sustained by the passion of a generous people how never gave up. They had little of their own, yet gave to those who had less. They may live in poverty. However they are not poor. They are rich in generosity, passion, and inspiration.

Spring is in the air. Will this be the time of your rebirth? If you have suffered adversity or loss, embrace this time as one of hope and begin to live once more. Each of us has something to give. Let’s take our stand for those who have less.