Trellus

At the end of June, Trellus hosted a spelling bee for our adult English language students, who represent more than 35 different native languages. The event celebrated not only spelling skills but also the important role that sound awareness plays in literacy development.

Spelling Trivia: How many sounds are in the word weight?
The answer is 3: /w/ /ā/ /t/

Few people stop to think about the connection between sounds and spelling. Yet understanding how spoken sounds map to written words is a critical building block of reading and writing. Research from the science of reading emphasizes that explicit spelling instruction is a key component of literacy development. By helping learners understand the sounds of English and how those sounds connect to print, we are building confidence and creating stronger readers, writers, and communicators.

At Trellus, one of the ways we address literacy for growing readers is through our spelling club, which is led by literacy intervention instructor Leona Leighton. With the Spelling Club, learners in lower levels develop phonemic awareness by listening to words and breaking them into individual sounds. This foundational skill helps students strengthen their spelling, reading, and overall literacy abilities. Our higher-level ESL learners also participate in a Spelling Club designed for students who have strong speaking and listening skills but continue to face challenges with spelling, reading, and writing. For these learners, targeted literacy support can be transformative—strengthening academic success, workplace communication, and overall confidence.

The spelling bee gives students a fun opportunity to put their skills to the test. It creates positive motivation to study, prepare, practice, and challenge themselves while celebrating learning alongside their peers. Just as importantly, it helps build a sense of community, encouragement, and shared achievement among students from diverse language backgrounds.

Today is World Refugee Day. Across the globe, millions of resilient individuals are redefining their futures after being forced to leave everything behind.

At Trellus, we recognize that welcoming refugees isn't just a humanitarian duty—it’s an investment in a richer, more vibrant community. Their strength inspires our mission every day.

Join us in honoring their journeys and advocating for worlds that offer safety, dignity, and opportunity for all. 🌍✨🔗 https://mytrellus.org/the-resilience-fund

Earlier last month, Trellus Co-CEOs Eric Lindstrom and Rebecca Creighton traveled to Springfield to advocate for the immigrant and refugee communities Trellus serves every day. Through conversations with State Representatives and legislators, they shared the realities nonprofits and community organizations are facing as they continue to do more with less while meeting growing community needs.

Advocating for Trellus means advocating for the families, children, and individuals who rely on access to education, support services, and opportunity. Being present in Springfield matters — not only to ensure lawmakers understand the challenges facing community-based organizations, but also to elevate the voices and experiences of immigrant and refugee communities during a time of heightened uncertainty and increasing barriers.

The day was filled with meaningful conversations, policy discussions, and relationship-building — along with an unexpected stop at the Women’s Legislative Talent Show, proving there’s always room for a little joy in advocacy work. By the end of the day, Eric and Rebecca had logged 17,600 steps — roughly 8 miles— on behalf of Trellus clients, staff, and communities.

We are proud to share that Trellus is entering our 6th of partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)! As a funded partner of the newly launched Healthy Chicago Mental Health Collective (HC-MHC), we have been awarded crucial funding to expand vital behavioral health services across Chicago.

With this support, Trellus is bringing expanded, strategic mental health services and school-based support directly to the Albany Park, Rogers Park, and West Ridge neighborhoods.

Why This Matters

The HC-MHC is a citywide network of CDPH Mental Health Centers and community providers working together to strengthen Chicago's mental health safety net. This funding enables us to deeply serve more individuals and families in need, ensuring our communities get the care they deserve.

"It's okay to need a little support. It's okay to say 'I'm not okay.' It's okay to ask for help.

Together with CDPH, we deliver care that honors culture, language, and lived experience—offering compassionate, quality care regardless of immigration status, insurance coverage, or ability to pay.

Chicago Department of Public Health

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, it is important to remember that for many, the challenges of anxiety and instability do not end on May 30.

At Trellus, we view mental health as a year-round commitment. Awareness is the first step, but action is what creates lasting change. We spend every day of the year addressing the root causes of distress—providing job training, English language classes, and housing navigation to ensure our neighbors have the stability they need to thrive.

To sustain this work beyond the month of May, consider setting up a monthly donation. Recurring support ensures that these vital resources remain available to our community throughout the entire year. https://mytrellus.org/donate/