The Honeycomb Project Collects Supplies for College-Bound Youth

The Honeycomb Project, a Chicago-based nonprofit that engages families in volunteer opportunities, is collecting supplies as part of its Summer Swarm initiative to benefit youth served by UCAN. Volunteers are collecting school supplies, dorm room essentials and personal care items for youth from the city’s west side who will head to college or trade school in the fall. The Summer Swarm donation drive helps reduce some of the financial burdens families may face at the start of the new school year. Donations will be distributed at UCAN’s 7th annual Trunk Party on August 2, 2024 at UCAN in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood.

UCAN’s primary clients are youth in the Illinois child welfare system and youth who have been removed from their homes for reasons of abuse or neglect. The purpose of UCAN’s Trunk Party is to provide these young people with trunks of supplies to ensure they start school prepared and ready to learn.

The public can support UCAN’s Trunk Party by donating new backpacks, sheets, towels, tissues, laundry detergent and more. Items can be dropped off now through July 31, 2024 at Chicago locations:

• The Honeycomb Project (1030 W. North Ave. #303, Tuesday - Thursday from 9am – 5pm)
• UCAN (3605 W. Fillmore St., Monday - Friday from 9am – 4:30pm)

The Collier family of Wicker Park served as co-chairs of last year’s Summer Swarm and has stepped up again to lead this initiative. As chairs of the 2024 Summer Swarm, the Colliers are empowering nearly 50 families to engage their networks to collect donations.

“We got involved with The Honeycomb Project years ago because my husband and I wanted to provide our sons Vaughn, Holden and Tate with fun, educational opportunities to give back to neighbors in need, and Honeycomb’s many programs make it easy to do that,” said Kristen Werries Collier. “Volunteering has been, and continues to be, an enlightening experience for our kids and a bonding experience for our family. Whether it’s at a food pantry or as chairs of the Summer Swarm, we find volunteering with Honeycomb particularly rewarding because we see the direct and immediate impact of our efforts.”

The Collier boys balance school work with their personal interests. In the fall, Vaughn will be a senior at Walter Payton College Prep where he is a member of the National Honor Society, National Latin Honor Society, varsity soccer team and an All-American track athlete. Having recently graduated with honors from Payton College Prep, Holden will start his freshman year at Indiana University where he will study finance, and Tate will be a senior at the University of Michigan, studying engineering and art/design.

In addition to their role with the Summer Swarm, the Colliers lead Honeycomb’s monthly “Nourish Your Neighbors – West Town” project, which provides fresh, healthy food to residents on Chicago’s south and west sides. Also, they manage a Love Fridge, serve on the planning committee for the Holiday Cheer Challenge fundraiser and participate in Honeycomb’s many immersive projects, such as “Furnish Homes for Families.”

In 2021, Holden and Vaughn founded Kit Fit FC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that equips young athletes of underrepresented communities with essential sports gear. The Collier boys applied their learnings from Honeycomb to establish and grow their nonprofit. Since forming Kit Fit FC, the Colliers have collected and distributed 200 pairs of cleats as well as soccer balls, shin guards and bags.

To learn more and contribute to the Summer Swarm, visit thehoneycombproject.org.

About The Honeycomb Project

Founded in 2011, the Honeycomb Project is Chicago's go-to organization for family volunteering. Each month, Honeycomb hosts dozens of volunteer projects that tackle global issues, such as homelessness, conservation and food insecurity, on a local level. Kids ages 3-17 work and learn alongside their parents, preparing home-cooked meals at shelters, growing fresh vegetables at city farms, building nature trails along the Chicago River and more. Additionally, through the Honeycomb Leadership Corps, teens and parents dedicate more than 1,500 volunteer hours per year, managing program operations, serving as ambassadors and mentoring Honeycomb youth. For more information, visit thehoneycombproject.org

About UCAN

UCAN strives to achieve its vision that youth who suffer trauma can become our future leaders by building strong youth and families through compassionate healing, education and empowerment. Founded more than 150 years ago as a Civil War orphanage, UCAN is one of Chicago’s oldest, yet most innovative, social service agencies. UCAN has grown into a multifaceted social service organization serving and impacting over 21,000 youth and families each year. We believe that our inspiring programs help to break cycles of violence and abuse while instilling a powerful sense of hope for the future. Learn more about UCAN at ucanchicago.org.