Foresters Financial and Kaboom! unite to bring an inclusive, community-centered playground to Blue Island

Located at 2235 Burr Oak Avenue, this unused space was transformed into a vibrant playground; a place designed to spark joy, connection and imagination for the children of Blue Island. This new playground reflects a shared commitment from Foresters and KABOOM! to strengthen communities by giving kids more than just a place to play, but a safe haven where they can dream big, build friendships and thrive.

"For years this space stood quiet, waiting for new life," said Commissioner Bill Ochoa of Blue Island Park District. "Today, thanks to the hard work of so many, it has become a place where children will make memories that last a lifetime. The Blue Island Park District is honored to see our community come together in such a meaningful way."

The playground features age-appropriate and accessible play structures designed to promote physical activity, creativity and social interaction among children of all abilities. Built in just one day, the project reflects a deeper commitment to purpose, going beyond business to create meaningful, lasting community impact.

"A playground is a critical part of a child's development," said Matt Berman, President and CEO of Foresters Financial. "This new playground is about more than slides and swings, it will give local kids a space to grow, learn and thrive."

For nearly two decades, Foresters and KABOOM! have partnered to bring high-quality play spaces to communities across North America. The Blue Island build marks Foresters 177^th playground project and the first completed in collaboration with Allstate Financial Services, LLC. The build supports KABOOM!'s mission to eliminate play space inequity and ensure that all children, no matter their ZIP code, have access to the resources they need to grow, dream and thrive. For Blue Island, this new playground is more than a park, it's proof of what's possible when people come together with shared purpose and open hearts.

Financial security and living your purpose

For over 150 years, Foresters has been helping families protect their financial future. But we don't stop there. As a purpose-driven organization, we empower our members with opportunities to enhance their health, support their local communities and champion the causes they care about most. We provide life insurance in the US and Canada, as well as life insurance and savings solutions in the UK, while partnering with our members to help them do more of the good they want to do.

Since 1874, we've been steadfast community builders. Today, sustainability, environmental consciousness and social responsibility are central to delivering our purpose. This commitment drives us to offer meaningful lifelong benefits¹, such as Foresters Care™ grants that unite communities, Competitive Scholarships to nurture future leaders and more initiatives designed to create a world where good thrives. Together, we're making a difference while inspiring new generations to give back. Foresters Financial is the trade name for The Independent Order of Foresters, the oldest non-denominational fraternal benefit society. For 24 straight years, The Independent Order of Foresters has received an "A" (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best.²

About KABOOM!

KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending playspace inequity – the reality that quality places to play are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with kids and communities to build or improve 17,000+ playspaces and ensure that nearly 12 million kids have equitable access to the crucial benefits and opportunities that playspaces offer. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity  to accelerate its mission in 25 high-priority locations over five years. Learn more at kaboom.org  or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook,  Instagram, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE The Independent Order of Foresters