About Us

The Bill & Margie Daniels Foundation is a community-based non-profit organization that revitalizes Chicago communities by applying restorative practices and sustainable solutions to the issues of hunger, homelessness, and incarceration. 

The Foundation reflects founder Patrick Bill Daniels’s commitment to providing people with opportunities to overcome challenges and attain a meaningful life.  Mr. Daniels witnessed and experienced the effects of social issues growing up on Chicago’s West side, having experienced alcoholism, and justice involvement and seen the effects of drugs, incarceration, lack of education, and hunger on his community.

The Foundation's inaugural act of service was the Bill & Margie Daniels Holiday Dinner in December 2014, where 200 homeless men and women in the Chicago communities of North Lawndale and West Garfield were served quality meals and a variety of men, women, and kids received winter coats and clothes.    

Bill & Margie

  • Marla “Margie” Daniels was an energetic person. She worked as a caretaker for seniors. Margie was the light of the party! She brought joy to the lives of many of her family members and friends. Although she was the second youngest of 11, she had a major impact on the lives of her siblings, nieces, and nephews. In 1989, Margie started a prison ministry where she provided emotional support to men and women incarcerated and resources to them when they were released.

  • Bill Stephens was a smooth operator! He worked for over 20 years in distribution centers and manufacturing facilities. He was a devoted father and grandfather. Bill used his talents to unite his family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, construction work, playing tennis, and making collage albums as gifts for his family.

Timeline

2014: The Bill & Margie Daniels Foundation was created. We hosted our first event at Breakthrough Urban Ministry feeding the men and women in their recovery housing facility.

2015: We partnered with the Blvd to serve holiday meals to their resident and started the 1,000 Hot Meals Project. We provide over 1,000 hot meals to unhoused men and women.

2016: Purchased first property to provide affordable housing to single mothers. Partners with Chicago Police Department to host Youth Halloween Costume Party.

2017: Launched community back-to-school event, providing school supplies and academic resources to youth from the North Lawndale, Garfield, and Austin communities. Launched Christmas Party with CPS and Southwest Airlines, providing gifts and gift cards to each student at Kellman School.

2018: Launched the Restorative Justice Project providing emotional support and transition to society support to returning citizens.

2020: Launched Hitting the Streets to provide bag lunches to unhoused Chicagoans, shelters, youth facilities, and substance abuse facilities. Has provided over 100,000 meals and volunteer opportunities for over 100 people.

2023: Launched the Bill & Margie Daniels Foundation Scholarship Awards, providing scholarships and mentorship to youth entering college.