Announcing the 2025–26 Healing, Leading, Changing Cohort
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<title>Healing, Leading, Changing: Bright Promises Announces 2025–26 Cohort Tackling Racial Trauma in Youth</title>
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<h1>Healing, Leading, Changing: Bright Promises Announces 2025–26 Cohort Tackling Racial Trauma in Youth</h1>
<p><strong>Date:</strong> September 4, 2025</p>
<p><strong>Author:</strong> Bright Promises Foundation</p>
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<h2>Quick Facts</h2>
<ul>
<li>$2M invested over 6 years</li>
<li>15 organizations funded in 2025–26</li>
<li>Focus: racial trauma, youth leadership, systemic change</li>
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<h2>Why Healing, Leading, Changing Matters</h2>
<p>Racial trauma is a persistent and often invisible force that undermines the ability of children and youth to thrive. From microaggressions to systemic discrimination, the cumulative impact of racism can lead to long-term emotional, psychological, and physical harm. But healing is possible—and it starts with safe spaces, trusted relationships, and empowered youth leadership.</p>
<p>Bright Promises launched HLC to address this trauma head-on. Over the next six years, we will invest more than <strong>$2 million</strong> in community organizations to scale trauma-informed programs, share best practices, and build a thriving nonprofit ecosystem that centers healing and equity.</p>
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<h2>2025–26 Cohort Highlights</h2>
<p>This year’s cohort includes a mix of renewed partnerships and new grantee organizations, each selected for their strategic alignment, community impact, and commitment to youth empowerment:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>A Long Walk Home</strong> – Expanding its Black Girls in Art Therapy initiative and alumni leadership program to reach over 2,000 youth.</li>
<li><strong>BUILD, Inc.</strong> – Enhancing its Youth Ambassador program with restorative justice strategies and middle school mentorship.</li>
<li><strong>Project VISION</strong> – Deepening civic engagement and culturally competent programming for immigrant and first-generation youth.</li>
<li><strong>Arab American Action Network</strong> – Continuing youth-led workshops on racial profiling and trauma through a community-centered lens.</li>
<li><strong>Chicago Freedom School</strong> – Training youth leaders in emergency response, conflict de-escalation, and transformative justice.</li>
<li><strong>Girls Inc. of Chicago</strong> – Empowering girls to advocate against hair discrimination through the Crown Act.</li>
<li><strong>Gads Hill Center</strong> – Developing youth-produced podcasts on racial trauma and community change.</li>
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<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<meta name="description" content="Bright Promises Foundation announces the 2025–26 Healing, Leading, Changing cohort—15 nonprofits advancing trauma-informed care for BIPOC youth in Chicago.">
<meta name="keywords" content="racial trauma in youth, trauma-informed youth programs, Bright Promises Foundation, Healing Leading Changing initiative, youth leadership development, nonprofit support for BIPOC youth, restorative justice programs, Chicago youth nonprofits">
<meta name="author" content="Bright Promises Foundation">
<title>Healing, Leading, Changing: Bright Promises Announces 2025–26 Cohort Tackling Racial Trauma in Youth</title>
</head>
<body>
<article>
<header>
<h1>Healing, Leading, Changing: Bright Promises Announces 2025–26 Cohort Tackling Racial Trauma in Youth</h1>
<p><strong>Date:</strong> September 4, 2025</p>
<p><strong>Author:</strong> Bright Promises Foundation</p>
</header>
<section>
<h2>Quick Facts</h2>
<ul>
<li>$2M invested over 6 years</li>
<li>15 organizations funded in 2025–26</li>
<li>Focus: racial trauma, youth leadership, systemic change</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section>
<h2>Why Healing, Leading, Changing Matters</h2>
<p>Racial trauma is a persistent and often invisible force that undermines the ability of children and youth to thrive. From microaggressions to systemic discrimination, the cumulative impact of racism can lead to long-term emotional, psychological, and physical harm. But healing is possible—and it starts with safe spaces, trusted relationships, and empowered youth leadership.</p>
<p>Bright Promises launched HLC to address this trauma head-on. Over the next six years, we will invest more than <strong>$2 million</strong> in community organizations to scale trauma-informed programs, share best practices, and build a thriving nonprofit ecosystem that centers healing and equity.</p>
</section>
<section>
<h2>2025–26 Cohort Highlights</h2>
<p>This year’s cohort includes a mix of renewed partnerships and new grantee organizations, each selected for their strategic alignment, community impact, and commitment to youth empowerment:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>A Long Walk Home</strong> – Expanding its Black Girls in Art Therapy initiative and alumni leadership program to reach over 2,000 youth.</li>
<li><strong>BUILD, Inc.</strong> – Enhancing its Youth Ambassador program with restorative justice strategies and middle school mentorship.</li>
<li><strong>Project VISION</strong> – Deepening civic engagement and culturally competent programming for immigrant and first-generation youth.</li>
<li><strong>Arab American Action Network</strong> – Continuing youth-led workshops on racial profiling and trauma through a community-centered lens.</li>
<li><strong>Chicago Freedom School</strong> – Training youth leaders in emergency response, conflict de-escalation, and transformative justice.</li>
<li><strong>Girls Inc. of Chicago</strong> – Empowering girls to advocate against hair discrimination through the Crown Act.</li>
<li><strong>Gads Hill Center</strong> – Developing youth-produced podcasts on racial trauma and community change.</li>
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