Mission
Solution-oriented executive advising, for nonprofits that want to change the world.
Vision
Our vision is to serve and strengthen 200 local non-profit organizations and the eco-systems which they are a part of, in the next 10 years with a focus on making Chicago a safer and more economically equitable city.
Our Clients
Strides for Peace
Strides for Peace is a leading convener and capacity-builder in Chicago’s gun violence prevention ecosystem, supporting over 200 community organizations across the city. Coach House Solutions served as interim leadership from 2023 to 2025, helping steward the organization through a critical transition.
We provided executive advising, financial management support, fundraising strategy, and communications planning. In 2023, we helped design and launch the Gun Violence Prevention Expo, build sustainable leadership pipelines, and create a multi-year development roadmap. In 2024 and 2025 we provided leadership for the Race Against Gun Violence, leading to a doubling of metrics (participants, funds raised, etc). Strides for Peace is now positioned for its next chapter with new leadership and strengthened operational capacity.
The BLR Center for Flourishing Communities
Founded on the legacy of Congressman Bobby L. Rush, the BLR Center aims to build healthy, resilient communities in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood and beyond. Coach House Solutions provided strategic startup support including fiscal administration, governance design, budget development, and the recruitment of founding board members.
We also led the planning for the Center’s mission, vision and values, setting the context for full strategic planning and programmatic development. Our work helped the BLR Center move from concept to implementation, anchored in community engagement and legacy leadership.
Hadiya’s Promise
Hadiyah’s Promise is a community-rooted initiative supporting survivors of gun violence, with a focus on healing, resilience, and systems change. Coach House Solutions partnered with the organization to provide operational infrastructure, program development, and executive advising.
Paula Hamernick now serves as Director of Operations, helping guide the organization's growth and capacity-building efforts. Through our support, Hadiyah’s Promise is establishing strong systems for financial management, compliance, and community partnerships, while expanding its direct services and advocacy work.
A More Just Chicago
A More Just Chicago (AMJC) is a civic leadership initiative working to reimagine governance in Chicago through charter reform, coalition building, and long-term city planning. Coach House Solutions led the incorporation and strategic development of AMJC, providing executive staffing, fiscal sponsorship, and operational design.
We’ve supported the creation of its board, core messaging, branding, fundraising strategy, and programmatic roadmap—including the Charter Ambassador program and community listening sessions across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. Our work enables AMJC to position itself as a long-term civic force for equity, transparency, and visionary urban planning.
Our Story
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1999–2022
Sunshine Gospel Ministries
Sunshine Gospel Ministries needed a restart. In 2001 Sunshine was located in Cabrini-Green public housing community, and the city announced Cabrini would be torn down. As Executive Director we relocated everything to the Southside. Following the philosophy of the Christian Community Development Association, we moved our homes, our ministry and our lives into the neighborhood. We bought an abandoned building and spent 8 years rebuilding it to become the new home of Sunshine. Ministry in disinvested communities is like “plowing concrete”. If you don’t plan to be there for at least 10 years, don’t bother starting. Our time at Sunshine was two decades of struggle, joy, re-birth and resurrection.
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1999–2007
Sunshine Cove
Our journey in organizational leadership began here. At a beautiful 90-acre camp in Union, Michigan. Owned by Sunshine Gospel Ministries, but having fallen into utter disrepair, we took on the role of Camp Director. The organization needed everything except a better view! Finances, facilities, staff, fundraising, program design and evaluation and even a new name. Leading through what was essentially re-starting an organization, honoring its legacy, but pointing to a new future was a 10-year journey. Then came among the most challenging leadership decisions of all time: it was time to sell the facility and put the resources to better use. Transitions are hard. Sacred cows sometimes must be slain. Leadership finds ways to affirm legacy while moving on, if the mission requires it.
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Late 2012–2022
Sunshine Enterprises
Sunshine Enterprises was born out of the realization that there is a correlation between the absence of work opportunity and the presence of violence. We decided we would identify entrepreneurs in low-income communities and find ways to support them to grow small businesses. A revelation happened when we met Alex and Alpha from Rising Tide Capital. They not only did what we hoped to do, but they knew how. They were 10 years ahead of us. A dear friendship ensued, and SE became the first replication of their work in New Jersey. SE exploded in growth. More than 1500 of these incredible entrepreneurs have now been served in Chicago and SE continues to grow.
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2014-2019
Greenline Coffee
Greenline Coffee was a social enterprise. Like many non-profits, we worked to start a business that was beautiful, thereby transforming what had become a derelict corner on 61st Street. We also hoped to break even financially, providing employment opportunity and a safe place. We succeeded in every way but financially. You can see the story of Greenline in a TedX talk.
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2010–2022
Chicago Fellowship
The Chicago Fellowship grew from being a handful of men gathering weekly at a boardroom table to a total of more than 300 men interacting annually. We provided structural support through administrative, fundraising and board coordination. Establishing programmatic goals, budgetary needs, fundraising structure and reporting allowed the organization to enter its next season in a healthy and strengthened manner.
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2018-present
Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative
The Obama Foundation was coming to the Southside. It would be built in Jackson Park, surrounded by three communities that have had 50 years of disinvestment. In order to take advantage of the opportunity, community members came together with city officials, representatives from the University of Chicago and the Obama Foundation to create a new organization focused on local economic development. We provided foundational board leadership and fundraising, positioning Emerald to hire its first CEO.
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2022-2023
The University of Chicago
Serving as the Interim Vice President for Civic Engagement and External Affairs and an Officer of the University, Joel led a staff of 50 providing services to students and community stakeholders. In this position Joel also oversaw Commercial Real Estate Operations, the Office of Federal Relations, The Office of Business Diversity and State Relations.
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2023–Present
Coach House
Behind our 115-year-old graystone on the Southside of Chicago is an equally old brick structure. Built as a horse stable and hay loft in the early 1900s, this small two-story structure provided a place for the most common transportation of the day. The change to motorized vehicles led to a changed use. Chicago’s over-crowding meant that the hayloft could be transitioned to a great little apartment.
When we purchased the property the coach house was a total loss. The only thing of value were the exterior brick walls. Everything else had collapsed! Paula got to work designing and Joel got to work demolishing and then constructing (with a big assist from the kids!). With big windows and bright paint, hardwood floors and cozy accommodations, the coach house has come back to life!
The coach house has become a symbol of our work together and the inspiration for the name of The Coach House Solutions Group.