By Judy Carmack Bross
Chineze Mogbo, Kirstie Mason Harris, Lisa Burnett, Doug Mowery, Emily Summers, Shantal Mbabazi, Monique Byrd, Stephanie Piccirilli and Mose Stamps accepting a recent Chicago Innovation Award
“We’re proud to recognize Ignite’s Youth Housing Model as one of this year’s Chicago Innovation Award winners. Their flexible model that meets 18 to 26-year-old individuals where they are, helping them finish school, gain employment, build life skills and acquire affordable housing is a unique solution that meets a critical unmet need.” – Luke Tanen, President and CEO, Chicago Innovation.
From impetus to incubation, innovation thrives in Chicago where Ignite, creator of a canny and caring housing model, can be recognized for finding ways to get the job done. With its youth-centered approach, Ignite offers a solution to homelessness like no other program. In honoring Ignite, Chicago Innovation showed how important the breadth of innovation is to non-profit organizations, always looking for opportunities and solutions.
Luke Tanen, CEO of Chicago Innovation set the stage for us: “We had over 650 people. A fun opening performance from America’s Got Talent Finalists’ Leo High School Choir was followed by welcome remarks from Toni Preckwinkle and Alexi Giannoulias, and lots of other special guest presenters. And most importantly, 21 inspiring winners across industries that remind us why Chicago is a diverse and thriving hub of innovation, including one of them being Ignite.”
Stephanie Piccirilli, Ignite’s President and CEO
Stephanie Piccirilli, Ignite’s President and CEO, states: “We believe in a world where youth are defined by their potential, not their circumstances.” She explained that the organization which will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary at the Ritz-Carlton April 11, 2026, is unique in supporting youths to put homelessness behind them and move toward stable housing and careers. “Federal housing programs, whether you are 18 or 45, only last 24 months. The economics in Chicago are that you have to make $50,000 a year, or $25 an hour to afford an apartment. The math doesn’t work: no young person, under 24 without a college degree, can walk out of a 24-month program and afford a market-rate apartment on their own, with no financial support. This has led to chronic homelessness and sets up young people to fail. Then they are in survival mode and that’s when violence happens. We provide a comprehensive spectrum of services through private funding to youth who are chronically homeless that levels the playing field.”
Robert Walker, Stephanie Piccirilli and Mr. William Scott
We asked her to tell us about one of the clients she will always remember:
“In February 2022, Kala found Ignite after navigating childhood homelessness and family health challenges that ultimately disrupted her college plans. Ignite’s unique housing model extends the runway for youth like Kala, who, after finding stability at Ignite’s Belfort House, nearly four years later maintains her own Ignite apartment. Kala is balancing a full-time job while studying for a career in business. Like all youth in Ignite Community Housing, she has a stable place to live while attending school, holding down a job, and building her future – all while saving and contributing to rent and expenses. Each young person who walks through our doors is building a future for themselves, one filled with healthy growth, goal-setting, and financial independence. That’s why 91% of youth in Ignite’s residential programs are employed or in school.
“Our biggest needs right now: Private funding to support the housing model that houses Kala and support for our capital campaign, to pay off our transitional housing building and shelter that houses youth 14-21.”
A strong board of directors backs up Piccirilli and her staff in helping youth like Kala. Board member and pulmonologist Dr. Stacy Raviv also told us about an unforgettable client she met.
“Ignite doesn’t simply provide a single touch point to youth at the greatest risk of harm. The program surrounds them with housing, basic needs, educational and career programming, goal setting, life skills development, and mental and physical health support.
“Maybe most importantly, Ignite provides a community where young people can belong. And Ignite does this for each client for years, if that is what they need. After all, how many supportive parents draw a line at age 19 or 20 and walk away from providing these things for their own kids?
“I’ve met a lot of Ignite’s clients, many of whom are young people with achievements to be proud of: college scholarships, first jobs, and new friendships. But one young person I will never forget was Drew. He was a beautiful young man with an infectious smile, and he eagerly helped me to cook dinner one night at Belfort house, as we casually chatted about ourselves and our food preferences. Drew was interested in the middle eastern spices and herbs I brought and wanted to try everything!
“After dinner he made a special request and asked if next time, I might cook an African dish. I regret that I didn’t ask him why. By his speech, I assume that Drew was born here in Chicago, so I think he wanted to learn more about his African heritage. Ignite is a place where young people from so many backgrounds converge; it’s possible that he had spoken with other clients about African food in their homes. In any case, I was happy that he had both the confidence and interest to make the request. Drew was a vibrant young person with unique curiosity… and that’s what makes Ignite so special – there’s a place for everyone at to be celebrated.
“I bring up Drew’s story because as a board, working together with Ignite’s amazingly dedicated and talented staff, we are always looking at how we can evolve, strengthen our services, and better meet the needs of each unique client. We’ve recently renovated our data collection systems to allow for improved self-reflection. We formally search out feedback from a wide swath of stakeholders. And this year, after achieving the goals of our previous 5-year strategic plan ahead of schedule, we will write a new 5-year plan. We do this in order to provide the best for every Drew.
“Investing in young people is smart, both financially and morally. A young person has the flexibility and potential to change his future and become a productive, positive member of his community. And, of course, every young person deserves an opportunity to live a full life, regardless of the circumstances into which he was born. Ignite capitalizes on this vision and opportunity and delivers support with calculated care. “
Piccirilli came to Ignite with a strong business background.
“I was working in the hospitality business but I soon knew that I wanted to do more than I was doing. I wanted to serve my community, contribute to making the world a better place. I was introduced to a workforce development program while I was in a leadership position with a local hotel company and called them up. I said I would answer phones, anything they needed; I just wanted to work there. Nothing was available at the time but two weeks later someone moved and they called me up to ask if I could come in the next day. That was almost 27 years ago; I’ve been in the social impact space ever since. I was gifted with this path to serve, and one that led me to Ignite.”
The name Ignite says it all.
“Ignite speaks to the fire in every young person who walks in our door. It is a name we will never outgrow. We want every person we serve to never lose that fire. We have to keep it going. It means so much on every level,” Piccirilli said.
For further information about Ignite visit: ignitepromise.org
Other needs: Holiday gift drive (by Dec 5th) – https://www.ignitepromise.org/events
