From the Classroom to the Community: LB65 Educator Launches Four Kids Foundation
At Lake Bluff Elementary School, fourth-grade teacher Mr. Arick Ellis has spent more than two decades helping students grow, learn, and find their place. Now, he’s expanding that impact beyond the classroom, launching a new nonprofit focused on connection, belonging, and emotional wellness.
The Four Kids Foundation, founded this year, was born from both personal reflection and a deep commitment to students and the broader community.
“I got to a point where I saw a need and felt like it was something that needed to be done,” Ellis shared. “I wanted to have a greater positive influence, not just in the classroom, but in the community as a whole.”
The foundation’s name carries deep personal meaning. It reflects Arick’s own family and his hope that his children will grow up understanding the importance of service and giving back.
It also honors the many students he has taught and coached over the years, and serves as a tribute to former students who lost their lives too soon.
This experience helped shape the foundation’s mission: to create stronger connections, support emotional wellness, and ensure that every young person feels seen, supported, and valued.
At the heart of the Four Kids Foundation is a simple but powerful goal: bringing people together.
Through programs designed to foster connections across age groups, the foundation aims to reduce isolation and create meaningful opportunities for interaction, something Ellis sees as increasingly important.
“A lot of kids are spending more time on screens and less time connecting face-to-face,” he said. “We want to create spaces where people can build relationships, have conversations, and support each other.”
The foundation also recognizes that disconnection isn’t limited to one age group. From students to young adults to seniors, many experience transitional periods where connection matters most.
By creating shared experiences, the goal is to build a stronger, more supportive community for all.
One of the foundation’s first initiatives is GameBridge, a new community program envisioned by Lake Bluff resident Emily Lane and created in partnership with the Lake Bluff Park District, which provides a welcoming space for connection in its Community Room.
GameBridge invites community members of all ages to come together each Sunday to play board, card, and strategy games in a welcoming, low-pressure environment.
“It’s pretty rare to get people of different ages in the same space with time to really connect,” Ellis said. “This creates that opportunity.”
Beyond fun and games, the program is designed to:
Foster intergenerational relationships
Encourage mentorship between older and younger participants
Create a sense of belonging for all community members
The initiative is already gaining strong community support, including its first grant from the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Rotary Club to help fund materials and expand access.
In addition to GameBridge, the Four Kids Foundation is preparing to launch Four Kids Fridays, an outdoor, after-school program expected to begin in mid-May. The program will bring students and community members together for games, connection, and shared experiences in a welcoming environment.
Both GameBridge and Four Kids Fridays will also provide opportunities for high school students to earn community service hours while building leadership and mentorship skills.
For families, students, and community members, the invitation is simple: show up, connect, and be part of something meaningful.
“It allows people to meet others, build relationships, and have a positive impact on each other’s lives,” Ellis said.
As the Four Kids Foundation continues to grow, so does its vision to create more opportunities for connection, strengthen community bonds, and support the well-being of every individual it reaches.
Join the Community
GameBridge is free and open to all community members.
Location: Lake Bluff Park District, 355 W. Washington Ave.
Time: Sundays, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 12th – Board Game Night (Open to All)
Sunday, April 19th – Strategy Game Night (Mixed Ages)
Sunday, April 26th – Card and Mahjong Night (Ages 10+)
Sunday, May 3rd – Dungeons & Dragons Night (Teens & Young Adults)