OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
DONATIONS
RAISED
Since its formation in August 2023, the Foundation has raised significant funds for the Federal Problem-Solving Courts. We are proud to have the support of the Steans Family Foundation and the City of Chicago/United Way Returning With Hope grant. We are grateful to all of our donors for their generosity.
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The Foundation has contributed more than $100,000 to the participants of the Federal Problem-Solving Courts since it began in 2023.
grants made
As a result of a major increase in donations in 2025, the Foundation also dramatically increased its grants to participants, paying for the courts’ program expenses but also providing funds for housing, utilities, healthcare, holiday gifts for participants' children, groceries, and additional support for SNAP participants affected by the government shutdown.
The Foundation also assumed the costs of the Courts and paid for incentive gift cards and “Lunch and Learn” educational events for participants.
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In addition, the Foundation paid the cost of a life coach and mentor, Dr. Tony Jackson. Dr. Jackson provides job coaching, mentoring, and life coaching to our Second Chance Reentry Participants.
Dr. Jackson has also partnered with different organizations that offer engaging therapeutic activities to the participants such as rock climbing, exercising, skating, biking, journaling and a plethora of other fun activities that help lower stress and cope with boredom.
The Foundation also hired a new contractor, Will Smith, who will serve as a program evaluator for Second Chance. He will ensure that the program follows best practices for reentry courts and will engage new potential participants as soon as they express interest in joining the program. He also will do exit interviews for those who leave the program and follow up with them for three years following graduation. Will is a veteran of Second Chance, having served as one of the U.S. Probation Officers assigned to the Court.
2026 fundraiser
On the evening of May 19th, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter and Federal Problem-Solving Courts Foundation hosted the 2026 Restoring Lives Reception at the Union League Club of Chicago, bringing together nearly 190 members of the federal legal community.
Ultimately, that mission drew 24 sponsors to the 2026 Restoring Lives Reception, generating just under $110,000 in sponsorship support alone, not including ticket sales.
From platinum-level firms to local Chicagoland practices, the breadth of support reflected the legal community's genuine investment in the Foundation's work.​​
The evening's most powerful moments came during a panel discussion featuring graduates of the SECOND CHANCE and SOAR court programs, moderated by Will Smith, a retired probation officer and current Foundation contractor.
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Maurice Bowman and Thomas Ross, both 2026 graduates of SECOND CHANCE court, spoke about life after serving federal sentences of nearly twenty years. Both men credited the structure and accountability the court provided as essential to staying on track after release. They described what it meant to stand before judges and prosecutors who offered guidance and support.
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Ivory Aldridge, a 2026 graduate of SOAR court, spoke about the fear that her money laundering charge would take her away from her three children.
MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
A Google photo album with all photos from the event can be found linked here
GRADUATIONS SUPPORTED
The Foundation provided funds for the 2026 graduation ceremonies for SOAR and SECOND CHANCE programs.
The funding purchased gifts for each graduate as well as catering of both events.