LUV Institute Gears Up for Wreath Sale

LUV Institute Founder Cosette Nazon with participants making Wreaths of LUV. PHOTO BY TIA CAROL JONES.
LUV Institute Founder Cosette Nazon with participants making Wreaths of LUV. PHOTO BY TIA CAROL JONES.

 LUV Institute Gears Up for Wreath Sale

By Tia Carol Jones

Music filled the headquarters on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving as young people and team members from the LUV Institute decorated wreaths. Wreaths of LUV has become an annual tradition for the organization. The decorated wreaths are sold to individuals, businesses and other organizations to be placed at homes, storefronts and along streets during the holiday season.

The students, ages 16 to 24, will be making 700 Wreaths of LUV, and 188 units will go in 77 communities across the city. The students source the materials for the wreaths, market, manufacture and sell the wreaths on the LUV Institute’s website for $50. Wreaths of LUV began when LUV Institute Founder Cosette Nazon-Wilburn inherited young women who were on probation. The program was created to teach those young women about entrepreneurship. Proceeds from the sales are used to pay students a stipend and to support the Journey to My Better Self Entrepreneurship and Career Academy.

Nazon-Wilburn founded The Love Unity & Values (LUV) Institute in 2012. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to empower youth and young adults from Chicago’s under-resourced communities through entrepreneurship, educational/historical exploration, and personal and professional development.

Nazon-Wilburn said that many of the young people in the organization are impacted by trauma. The impact of that trauma can show up as social awkwardness, anger, anxiety or low academic performance.

“When a young person is able to connect to a healthy relationship with an adult and do something they are proud of, where their work is displayed, it starts to restore resiliency. That’s what the kids get in this program,” Nazon-Wilburn said.

What the team at the LUV Institute has learned is that trauma happens – death, sickness, job loss, divorce – which impacts young people. With the right supports, a loving environment, something that inspires a person and something creative to do, it can re-engage those young people.

Ja’La Steen wanted to participate in the LUV Institute because of the opportunities that are available for young people her age. She started with the organization in the summer with the Know Your Rights campaign, where she learned about the fourth, fifth and sixth amendment rights. She continued through the Fall and is one of the young people making the wreaths.

“The more I work here, the more opportunities I receive. It’s not just about the money, it’s a great way to meet new people, get me out of my shell and learn new things,” she said.

Jamya Tribble is another young person making Wreaths of LUV this season. She has been enjoying her time at the LUV Institute. She has learned about career development during her time – how to dress for an interview and how to act during an interview. She also has learned about the importance of finances and credit scores.

“With the wreaths, I’m going to be making stuff that people are going to have on their doors. It feels good to know that,” she said.

For more information about the LUV Institute or to purchase wreaths, visit www.luvinstitute.org.

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