Northwestern University Medill Journalism Graduate Picks AHK
Northwestern University Medill journalism graduate student Julia O’Leary picked Almost Home Kids as one of two not-for-profits for her final project, producing a 60-minute-like segment. Her introduction says it all.
“Nonprofit work isn’t easy. It often comes with little recognition, less funding and a heavy reliance on volunteers and dedicated employees. But nonprofit organizations serve as the strongest advocates and change the most lives. There are over 1.5 million nonprofits in the United States and around 10 million worldwide. It’s impossible to know them all. Most people are introduced to certain nonprofits when something changes in their own lives that causes them to seek help and resources. This is the case for two Chicago-based organizations that were started when mothers shared a common experience over child loss and child care. Almost Home Kids and Start Legacy Foundation are two organizations working to make a difference in their communities. I’m Julia O’Leary. Those stories tonight on Difference Makers.
Francennett Llamas gave birth to twin boys in an emergency C-section at 25 weeks and five days. They were just 12 inches long and weighed about as much as a pair of shoes. Xavier and Damian had to be resuscitated at birth and were rushed to the NICU, where they stayed for 10 months, undergoing countless surgeries in an attempt to save their lives. Both twins had patent ducts, arterial SIS, or PDA, which is a congenital heart defect common in babies born prematurely. Sometimes that hole in their heart will close on its own, and it did for Damian, but Xavier was rushed into emergency surgery. Fortunately, the surgery was a success, and Xavier stabilized. But Damian was worsening. This was only the beginning of a back-and-forth battle for survival and their future as children with medical complexities.”