Giving Tuesday Reflection

A Moment That Has Stayed With Me Forever

When I was a high school art teacher in Little Village, there was one morning when the bell rang and my students were nowhere to be found. It was a school where schedules shifted without warning. I was also teaching the JROTC art classes that year, which meant government visitors and surprise events were part of my normal routine. So when the room stayed quiet, I sat down at my desk and opened my email to see what I had missed.

About a minute later, the door burst open and every student in that class came parading in with flowers, cake, sweets, and balloons. They had spent a full month going on undercover spy missions to learn what kind of cake I liked and which little treats made me smile. It was my birthday and they were throwing me a surprise party.

That act of generosity stayed with me. It had been a difficult year for many reasons. Their joy filled the room and refilled my tired bucket. In that one moment I felt the reminder I needed. I was making a difference in their lives. And they were making one in mine.

That memory always rises to the surface on Giving Tuesday.

Why Giving Has Always Been Part of My Life and My Work

Long before photography became my path, my work centered on people. Their stories. Their growth. Their courage. Teaching and counseling shaped the way I see the world. Giving was woven into those roles because the work itself relied on empathy, community, and care.

Now, as a photographer, giving is still part of the way I move through my business. Not because it is expected. Because it feels like a natural extension of that early classroom lesson. Generosity creates connection. It reminds me that we all need each other.

The Causes I Support and Why They Matter to Me

ACLU

I donate to the ACLU because the dignity and rights of every person matter. I have spent much of my career helping people feel seen. Civil liberties protect that right at a much larger scale. Supporting their work feels grounded in my values.

Share Our Spare

As a mother, I know how much those early seasons depend on the generosity of others. Share Our Spare provides essential supplies to families who need support. Their mission speaks to the part of me that remembers those early years so vividly. No parent should feel alone in that stretch of life.

WBEZ

I also donate to WBEZ. Public radio has always been part of my daily rhythm. It has informed me, broadened my perspective, and nurtured my curiosity. That feels worth supporting.

Alive Rescue

I fostered two dogs through Alive Rescue. My second was my foster fail and now a valued member of our family. She is a constant reminder to me how love and structure can completely transform a life. Rescue work is another kind of community care. It is quiet and patient and deeply meaningful.

Giving Through Photography

Each year I also offer a small number of discounted sessions to nonprofits. It is one way I can use my skills to support people who are already doing good work. Photography can amplify stories. It can bring visibility to missions that matter. Every time I photograph a nonprofit team, I leave with a little more hope than I walked in with.

What Giving Teaches Me About Being a Photographer and a Person

Giving is not about grand gestures. It is about staying grounded. It keeps me curious. It keeps me connected. It reminds me that the heart of this work has always been people. Their stories. Their courage. Their dreams.

I have found that giving does not drain me. It refuels me. It feels like a way of saying I see you and I am with you.

How I Hope to Grow My Giving in the Future

I do not believe anyone must give in any particular way. Seasons shift. Capacity shifts. What I know is this. I want to keep supporting the organizations and communities that have shaped me. I want generosity to stay part of the way I move through the world.

A Closing Reflection

If this season brings you toward your own version of giving, I hope it feels grounding. Time. Money. Skills. Encouragement. There is no small offering. There is only the intention to care for the world around you. I am grateful for every person who does that work in their own way.

Thank you for being part of this community.