2022 Annual Report

A note from our founder

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your belief in our mission and your ongoing support for our work with youth. It is because of you that we have been able to make significant strides in 2022, better serving our community, expanding our reach, and achieving substantial growth for our organization. 

Throughout 2022, our team was heavily focused on rebuilding after the challenges posed by the global pandemic. As we returned to in-person programming, we witnessed firsthand the profound impact it had on the emotional well-being of our Chicago youth. The need for healthy and trusting relationships with caring adults, as well as pathways to unlock their full potential, became more evident than ever. We also received valuable feedback from schools and teachers about the urgent need for social-emotional learning programs that cater to younger students, not just at the high school level. 

Responding to this pressing demand, our team dedicated the early part of 2022 to designing a groundbreaking program called Young Changemakers. This initiative was intentionally crafted to offer comprehensive social-emotional learning at the elementary and middle school levels. I am thrilled to share that we successfully secured partnerships with four Chicago schools that were eager to pilot our new program. Through this expansion into elementary and middle schools, we were able to serve an astounding 300+ students in 2022, a significant increase from the 41 students we reached in 2021. 

In addition to the creation of Young Changemakers, our team focused on an organizational wide effort to rebuild and strengthen the systems that underpin our operations. Recognizing the importance of sustainable growth and impact in our community, our dedicated team worked tirelessly to create and implement effective systems and structures. These efforts included refining our hiring processes, enhancing board engagement, and adopting new fundraising strategies. Through these measures, I am confident that our nonprofit will transition from being an emerging organization to a sustainable one, ensuring our ability to make a lasting difference in our community for years to come. 

These achievements only scratch the surface of the incredible work carried out in 2022, and I am genuinely excited to share more accomplishments in this annual report. Looking ahead, our focus is to deepen our relationships with our students by investing in longer-term programming. We aim to expand the reach of Young Changemakers, all while maintaining our reach with teenagers and young adults through our Ignite program. Alongside our dedicated supporters, we are on track to increase our impact by serving a remarkable 500 young individuals in 2023! 

There are no words to adequately express my gratitude for your unwavering support of our mission to nurture our youth. I am honored to have you by our side as we continue to empower and make a positive impact in the lives of our future generation. 

Onward together,

Debra Giunta

Executive Director + Founder

“I learned a lot about myself and how I can use my strengths as a benefit in my everyday life and in my career. I learned so much from all the guest speakers and feel reassured. Everything that is meant for me in the future will happen at the right time.”

Enily, Prismatic Student

“After each session I feel better about myself and it makes me more confident that I’m in great hands.”

Jimena, Prismatic Student

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to share my story in a safe space with engaging community leaders. Listening to how others challenge themselves to overcome their adversities was motivating and impactful. I appreciate Prismatic Movement’s dedication to prioritizing voices that are often overlooked and underrepresented. Looking forward to more opportunities to connect with game-changing leaders.”

Joshua Travis, Prismatic Volunteer