My Nonprofit Reviews

I first heard about CircEsteem from an actress working in San Francisco. She had helped found the organization when she was living in Chicago. When she learned that I was moving with my mid-elementary and middle school children to Chicago, she told me to look them up. I did and enrolled my two children -- aged 9 and 11 in introductory circus arts classes. Once a week, we traveled from Evanston to Chicago to participate in classes with city kids and kids from Lake Forest, another northern suburb. It gave my kids a great opportunity to work with kids of other socioeconomic backgrounds and to learn circus arts at the same time. The director, Paul Miller, always made my children and all the children welcome and encouraged them in all their endeavors. He brought great energy, enthusiasm and interest to each and everyone in his presence -- adults and children alike. My daughter and I also participated in the after school tutoring program -- she as part of a community service project and I because I am a learning specialist. While my daughter and I were tutoring, vollunteers from the Lycee School, a french elementary and high school, in Chicago also were tutoring kids. I thought what an amazing way to gather people together for mutual benefit and learning.My husband has taken photographs for Circusteem on numerous occasions. When I go into a city school where I work, I see posters with his photographs, advertising upcoming performances. Since my kids have been involved with Circusteem, we have attended fundraisers and performances. I am always amazed at the incredible skills that the performers bring to their programs. Circusteeem is indeed a great asset to the greater Chicago community.

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