Article by Felicia Dechter |  |
Once upon a time, River North resident Jeannette Kravitz was aninternational operations scout who helped open 300 photo studios inmajor department stores. Yet the more Kravitz traveled, the moreconcerned she became about how she was being treated as an American.
SoKravitz left her job, and she and her husband, Randy, decided to letyoung people become the spokespersons for America. In 2000, theystarted a nonprofit program, Peace Journey, which funds globaleducation trips for local kids. Their first excursion was in 2003, toTanzania, Africa, with Latin, Roberto Clemente and John F. Kennedy HighSchool teams, and subsequent trips have included Hawaii, Mexico andMorocco.
Since then, the program has been going strong, and Kravitz even wona Telly Award for a Peace Journey documentary she produced for BlackEntertainment Television. Then last year — on Sept. 21, the UnitedNations’ International Day of Peace — the husband and wife team openedPEACESpa, 520 W. Erie.
There they recently launched a line of botanically based, sociallyconscious skincare products that will support Peace Journey’s mission.The pair perfected the products — which contain chamomile, sea algae,safflower oil and more — for two years in their River North spa beforelaunching to the wider market. The line is never tested on animals, and10 percent of sales benefit Peace Journey.
“We created it to really support the charity,” said Kravitz. “We want to make the world a little better.”
Additionally, to celebrate Peace Journey’s 10th anniversary in 2010,the Kravitzes are focusing on kids’ health issues withEcoChallenge2020, their 10-year commitment to create sustainablepractices; continue providing global trips for youth; and encourageeco-gardening in schools. The couple is striving to provide healthyoptions in an effort to fight obesity and diabetes in kids.
According to Kravitz, Illinois has the fourth-highest level ofchildhood obesity nationwide, with Chicago kids heavier than the restof the state. Two-thirds of adults and one out of every five kids inthe U.S. are obese or overweight, which can lead to depression, anxietyand asthma. Today’s youth could be the first generation to live feweryears than their parents.
That’s why the Kravitzes are seeking to raise awareness and fundswith their eco-challenge, where mindfulness to food becomes an everydaypriority for kids. They want to engage foodies — healthy lifestylechefs, eco-farmers, caterers, restaurateurs, cooking schools — alongwith corporate partners and foundations, to participate in thechallenge.
“Let’s teach kids respect and mindfulness for what they put in theirbodies,” said Kravitz. “Let’s teach them how to grow vegetables,respect farming and farmers, learn about animal care, and cultivate anappreciation and better relationship with food. Then and only then canwe begin to influence their circle of friends and beyond.”
