After growing up on the South Side of Chicago and witnessing many forms of poverty, Emily Morquecho-Cordova ‘25 knew that she wanted to use the abundance of resources and privilege LT provides to give back to people who need it. With hardwork and planning, Morquecho-Cordova founded Connections With a Smile. 

This pilot-status club aims to help unhoused, displaced homeless people in the local community as well as recognize and give integrity and helpful resources to those in need.

“I feel like a lot of times, we stay in our community because that is what we know, but it is so important to look out at the other communities and know that we can do so much more to help,” she said.

To get Connections with a Smile up and running, Morquecho-Cordova petitioned and applied for club approval in December, she said. When the club request was approved by January, she set to work on forming a team of leaders. With eight leaders in total, Morquecho-Cordova acts as event planner and president while two social media organizers work to ensure Connections With A Smile maintains a strong online presence, a fundraiser coordinator and treasurer collaborate to raise and allocate funds, a communications manager builds relationships with other organizations, and a secretary documents club activities. From there, Morequecho-Cordova found club sponsor Serena Lerma to oversee the club and aid with ideas and logistics.

“Anytime we are thinking outside of ourselves and really helping people that have very tangible needs, we are truly making a difference,” Lerma said. “The fact that a student at LT thought that this [homelessness and displacement] was something we can help with, makes me proud. The amount of ownership the leadership team has taken and their hard work made it so easy to get involved.”

Despite beginning late in the school year, Connections With A Smile already has many plans for the future, including creating care packages for those in need, hosting food and supply drives, creating hygiene packs, and making blankets, Lerma said. Already Connections With A Smile has begun building relationships with clubs with similar missions such as National Honor Society and Older Adult Connections, and has contacted local churches, soup kitchens, and hospitals to see what kind of work they are doing and how LT can help.

“Connections With A Smile really does make a difference to those experiencing displacement,” she said. “It reminds them that somebody is thinking of them and sending positive energy and thoughts and really trying to meet their needs. Additionally, the club brings the school community closer together and club members truly gain a deeper sense of community and purpose.”

With meetings being held every other Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 in room 137, each meeting is structured with the intention of being interactive, Morequecho-Cordova said. There will be a leader at the beginning of meetings who will present a slideshow covering introductions and agenda, which will then lead to a group activity. The meetings end by asking members for future ideas and opinions to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. 

“High school is a time to discover more about yourself and what you want to do,” Morequecho-Cordova said. “You have to put yourself out there, despite the fear and nervousness, because it helps you realize so much about yourself and what you can make happen. When you step boldly outside of your own circle into something new, you inspire others to do the same.”

One major hope for Connections With A Smile is to gain involvement from the lowerclassmen, Morequecho-Cordova said. When the current upperclassmen leaders eventually graduate, freshman and sophomores must step up and carry on the drive of the organization with new ideas and passion.

“LT has really supported me through this process [of creating Connections with a Smile] by constantly reminding me that I am so much more than I think I am,” she said. “LT is great at motivating their students and having that you can do it mentality, while also reminding students that they are never alone.”

To learn more about Connections with a smile, check out their instagram page: @lths_connectionswithasmile.