On Saturday, May 24th, Fresh Supply & FlowAmigo (powered by TextIt!) hosted its Seeds of Hope Gala in Chicago—an evening of music , storytelling , and community connection 🤝 that brought together supporters committed to uplifting local youth 🌟 and honoring changemakers ✨.

Held to benefit Fresh Supply’s 4th Annual Summer Program ☀️, the event was both a celebration 🎉 and a call to action 📢. Guests heard powerful reflections from past program participants 💬, and joined in recognizing individuals making a lasting impact across West Side neighborhoods 🏙️.

A highlight of the evening was a powerful showcase of FlowAmigo. Developed using the TextIt platform, FlowAmigo empowers young people in the program to build interactive bots 🤖 and community hotlines 📞 designed to serve Chicago’s West Side. David Jones, the founder of FlowAmigo, took the stage 🎤 to demonstrate just how impactful and versatile this tool can be. His presentation offered a glimpse 👀 into the real-world applications students are exploring—bridging technology 💻 and community care in innovative ways.

FlowAmigo is a key component of the Summer Program ☀️, where students use the platform to not only gain technical skills 💡 but also learn how to design solutions 🛠️ that respond to real needs in their neighborhoods. Launched in 2022, THE SUMMER PROGRAM introduced Fresh Supply’s justice-centered learning framework —and its impact was immediate ⚡. That first group of students made history by launching the Garfield Park Community Hotline ☎️, Chicago’s first SMS-based hotline designed and built by local youth . The program’s core values are “digital stewardship, equity ⚖️, and the belief that communication is a human right 🗣️.”

Through stories 📚 and demonstrations shared onstage 🎙️, it was clear how the program has already transformed lives 🌱—and how much more is possible! With the generous support from the Gala, Fresh Supply is hoping to expand its summer program to three sites across the West Side, offering even more young people access to transformative opportunities. The Seeds of Hope Gala served as a reminder that investing in youth is an investment in the future 🌍💫.

See more about the Summer Program here!