Debbie FrischDebbie Frisch is a mother, foster mother, spiritual director, volunteer, community activist, and philanthropist. In 2017, she opened HelloBaby, our nation's first free-standing, free-of-charge drop-in play space for babies, toddlers and their caregivrs. In 2022, Debbie was awarded Champion for Children Award from the Bright Promises Foundation.Prior to opening HelloBaby, Debbie was actively involved with many not-for-profit organizations that serve economically disadvantaged families and children. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a Master's degree from the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University, Chicago. Her first volunteer experience was at Christopher House in the daycare and Head Start programs. She was named their Volunteer of the Year in 2005. Debbie's first board service was for On Your Feet Foundation, an organization that serves birth mothers who have placed children for adoption. She has served as Board President for Adoption Center of Illinois, Chicago Lights, and Geography of Hope. She has also been a Deacon and Elder at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. She was a foster care mother for Adoption Center of Illinois and a respite care provider for Safe Families for Children. Through these two organizations she has had 56 babies and toddlers in care. One of these children, Jayce, came to her for respite care at 6 months old. Since then, he became her godson, and 10 years later they still see each other regularly.Debbie lives in Chicago, where she enjoys long lake front walks with her dog Teddy. She loves crafting, knitting, reading, exercise and time outdoors. Read More Read Less