The Impact of LOTUS in the Community

Since its founding, L.O.T.U.S. (Lifting Ourselves Through Us) has transformed the educational and emotional landscape for children and families across Chicago’s South and West Sides. By curating and co-creating immersive programs rooted in equity, exposure, emotional intelligence, and culturally relevant learning, LOTUS has:

• Empowered over 400 youth through programs like Camp Flight, our flagship summer camp, and Young Engineers focused on STEAM education, creative problem-solving, sports equity, and self-awareness.

• Trained and employed over 20 local educators, facilitators, and community leaders, creating sustainable workforce pipelines and offering professional development in trauma-informed and human-centered pedagogy.

• Connected families to resources through our Eye-to-Eye Program, which provides academic advocacy, mentorship, health referrals, and family supports via home and school visits and school collaboration.

• Secured thousands of dollars in scholarships and programming resources to ensure children from all backgrounds—not just those with access—can thrive in hands-on, joyful learning environments.

• Elevated community voice through partnerships with organizations, artists, journalists, educators, and wellness leaders, bringing stories, skills, and mentorship directly into schools, camps, and neighborhoods.

• Built a culture of safety, exploration, and belonging, where children are not only taught but seen, heard, and inspired to imagine new possibilities for their futures.

At its core, LOTUS is changing the odds—not just for individual students, but for entire communities. Let’s create, together, experiences that will guide US to realize and be empowered by our greatness!