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As we dive into the new year 🎉 we want to know: What are you most looking forward to in 2025? Vote below and let’s kick off the year with some local love! 💖

There’s a group of people in Rockford who show up every day to make sure others can live with dignity, choice, and joy. They’re called Direct Support Professionals, or DSPs, and their role is at the very heart of what Mosaic does. These are the people who help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live at home, find independence, and be part of their community. They don’t often ask for recognition, but this week they’re getting it. Mosaic in Rockford is celebrating National Direct Support Professional Week from September 15 to 19.“Our Direct Support Professionals are the heartbeat of Mosaic,” said Kris Hudak, Interim Area Director. “They’re the ones in the trenches, helping with the everyday things most of us don’t even think about. Maybe it’s helping someone get dressed, assisting with meals, or encouraging someone to join in at a community event. These are the little things that add up and make a big difference.”The work isn’t always easy. Some people Mosaic serves live with a lot of independence, while others need more support for simple daily activities like bathing, moving from a chair to a bed, or using the restroom. It’s work that takes patience, compassion, and a whole lot of energy. And yet, for many DSPs, it isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. Hudak explained, “We have staff who’ve been here for decades because they love it. They know they’re making life better for someone else, and that’s enough to keep showing up. That kind of dedication deserves to be honored.”This year’s theme for DSP Week is “A Work of Heart.” It fits perfectly, because DSPs bring more than just skill, they bring love and commitment. Their care makes Mosaic’s mission to “relentlessly pursue opportunities that empower people” come alive here in Rockford.So what exactly is Mosaic? The nonprofit has been serving people for more than a century, reaching across 12 states and more than 750 communities. Altogether, they support nearly 5,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, behavioral health needs, and aging adults. Their philosophy is whole-person care, helping people not just survive but thrive by living the life they choose. In Rockford alone, Mosaic runs eight group homes and supports dozens of people through host homes and individualized services.The organization’s history stretches back to 1913, when Bethphage Mission was founded in Nebraska, and 1925, when Martin Luther Homes started in Illinois. The two later merged in 2003 to form Mosaic as it exists today. Through every change, the focus has remained the same: person-centered support that builds independence and belonging.And if you want to see what that looks like, just listen to some of the local stories. Take Yul, for example. He lives with cerebral palsy and has been part of Mosaic programs in Rockford. Yul says, “I have a job, and I work hard at it. I have friends and a girlfriend. I want to be as independent as possible.” He even took part in Rockford’s “Human Library” event, where he shared his story with strangers at the public library. For him, it’s about being seen and understood, not for his disability but for his life.Then there’s Jay, who lives in a Mosaic at Home provider setting. His sister Marie used to worry constantly about him, his safety, his health, and what his future would look like. Now, she feels peace. She said, “I’m so glad Jay is with Mosaic. I’m not going to be around that much longer, but now I know he will be properly cared for the rest of his life.” That’s what DSPs do. They don’t just change the lives of the people they serve. They also lift the weight off family members who carry those worries every single day.Community partners have stepped up, too. Rockford hairdresser Kayla Speaker runs Beautiful Ambitions Salon. She learned how hard it was for some Mosaic clients to afford simple grooming like haircuts. So she started offering free haircuts every six weeks for people served by Mosaic. And she didn’t stop at just trimming hair, she created a welcoming space, playing shows, reading together, and chatting like friends. Some clients said it was the first time they felt truly seen by a stylist. Something as simple as a haircut gave them dignity, pride, and the sense that they belonged.All of these stories point back to the same truth. DSPs and the people who support Mosaic are building something powerful in Rockford. They’re not only helping people with disabilities live day to day, they’re making sure people are part of the fabric of this city. They’re showing that Rockford is stronger when everyone has a place.So this week, as Mosaic celebrates Direct Support Professionals, it’s more than just a calendar event. It’s a chance to stop and say thank you. To the staff who show up every day, to the families who place their trust in them, and to the people served who remind us what resilience looks like, you’re all part of what makes Rockford special.If you want to learn more about Mosaic or find ways to get involved, you can visit Mosaic Rockford or Mosaic National.Direct Support Professionals may not always be in the spotlight, but their impact is everywhere. They are the steady hands, the patient teachers, the quiet cheerleaders. And this city is better because of them.Remember, it is a good day to go local.

A Beginning Built on HopeMore than forty years ago, a small group of people in Rockford decided the city needed something special. They wanted a place where kids could learn to dance, where families could see performances, and where art could belong to everyone. That idea became Rockford Dance Company in 1973.At first, it wasn’t fancy. Classes were held in borrowed rooms — church basements, small studios, anywhere with open space. But the joy of moving, learning, and creating was enough to keep people coming back. Parents told friends. Kids begged to take lessons. And slowly, what started as a dream turned into something real.Growing Into a Community StageBy the late 1970s, Rockford Dance Company had found its footing. Classes expanded, teachers came on board, and performances began. In the 1980s and 1990s, the company grew even more.One show stood out above the rest: The Nutcracker. Every December, dancers stepped onto the stage to bring the holiday story to life. For many families, it became a tradition. Parents brought their children. Children grew up and brought their own kids. Year after year, the performance became a part of Rockford’s holiday season.And through it all, the company wasn’t just teaching steps. It was building confidence, discipline, and joy in kids who might have been shy, restless, or unsure of themselves.A Place for EveryoneToday, Rockford Dance Company offers classes for all ages. A three-year-old can take their first creative movement class. Teens can study ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance. Adults can join too, either to stay active or simply because they love it.But the company doesn’t stop at its own doors. Teachers bring dance into schools across Rockford. They run workshops in gyms and classrooms, giving kids their first chance to move to music in a new way. For some students, that one class is life-changing. A child who rarely speaks might light up with confidence. Another might discover a passion they never knew they had.More Than Just a ShowWhen Rockford Dance Company performs, it’s not just about perfect lines or polished steps. It’s about sharing stories. Sometimes that’s through a classic ballet. Other times it’s through modern dance with bold, new movements.The company has also brought performances into smaller spaces — libraries, schools, and local events. These moments remind people that art isn’t locked away in theaters. It belongs in neighborhoods, in parks, in everyday life.Tough Times, Strong PeopleLike many arts groups, Rockford Dance Company has faced challenges. Money is always tight. Costumes, sets, and studio space are expensive. When the economy struggles, donations can slow down.But what keeps the company alive is the people. Parents who volunteer. Dancers who give their best even when things are hard. Supporters who believe that Rockford deserves its own stage.Their belief has carried the company through rough patches and helped it keep moving forward.Why It MattersRockford Dance Company matters because it’s more than a dance school.For kids, it’s a place to learn discipline and confidence.For families, it’s a tradition that connects generations.For the city, it’s proof that Rockford values creativity and culture.For students with big dreams, it’s a stepping stone to careers in the arts.It also gives Rockford something important: pride. Pride that the city can support its own company. Pride that local kids can shine on stage.Looking AheadThe company isn’t slowing down. Each year brings new classes, new teachers, and new ideas. Partnerships with schools and other local groups are growing.The goal stays simple: to make dance accessible to everyone in Rockford. Whether you’re a preschooler taking your first class, a teenager chasing a dream, or a parent in the audience, Rockford Dance Company wants you to feel like you belong.Rockford Dance Company started with a simple hope — to bring dance to this city. Decades later, it’s still here, teaching, performing, and inspiring.It’s a reminder that Rockford is more than its struggles. It’s a place where art grows, where kids find confidence, and where families come together year after year.Remember, it is a good day to go local.

A step by step local playbook with examples you can copyYou do not need a huge budget to grow your reach. You need neighbors. When local businesses team up, everyone wins. It feels better, costs less, and brings in the right people, the ones who already love our community. Here is a simple system you can run this month.Step 1, Pick your theme and your partnersChoose one clear theme that makes sense for your customers. Examples, Coffee and crafts, Pizza and pinball, Wellness weekend, Pet friendly patio crawl. List three to five local partners that fit naturally. Aim for variety so everyone brings a slightly different audience.Step 2, Set one shared goalKeep it simple so you can measure it. Examples, grow each account by one hundred followers in two weeks, sell fifty tickets, collect two hundred emails, move twenty featured items. Agree on the goal in writing so everyone works toward the same result.Step 3, Create one shared offerPeople act when there is something easy to say yes to. Examples, a stamp card that works at all partner locations with a prize after three stamps, a limited weekend bundle like coffee plus pastry plus a discount on a local print, a one night mini market inside a partner space.Step 4, Plan the content togetherGive your audience a storyline and make it easy to follow.• Teaser week, three short posts that introduce the theme, each partner gets one feature post and one shared post• Launch day, a reel that shows all partners in fifteen seconds, fast cuts, big smiles, and clear offer text• During the run, daily stories that reshare customers, behind the scenes clips, and countdown stickers• Finale, a highlight reel and thank you post that tags everyone and invites email signupsStep 5, Divide the workOne person runs the shared calendar and collects media. Each partner provides three short clips and three photos shot vertical. Keep files in a shared Google Drive folder with simple names like business name and date. Agree on posting times and caption templates so everything looks coordinated without being stiff.Step 6, Use cross promotion the smart wayTag every partner in every post. Use the Instagram collaboration feature so one post appears on multiple feeds. Feature a different partner as the hero each day. Run a simple giveaway that asks people to follow all accounts and comment with their favorite local spot. Choose winners from real comments only.Step 7, Boost the best post just a littleChoose the reel with the strongest natural reach and put a small spend behind it. Ten to fifty dollars with a local radius can be enough when the creative is strong. Target by interest and location, then stop the boost if the cost per result climbs too high. Small dollars plus creative community content beats big dollars with bland posts.Step 8, Track, learn, repeatScreenshot insights at the start, midpoint, and end. Save totals for reach, follows, saves, and redemptions. Have a fifteen minute debrief with partners and list what to keep and what to change. Book the next collaboration right away while energy is high.Plug and play examples you can copy this monthCoffee and crafts weekendPartners, Meg’s Daily Grind, Rockford Art Deli, a local makerOffer, buy a latte and get a live printed limited tee for five dollars off, maker pop up in the cornerContent hook, make your Saturday local from cup to teePizza and pinball nightPartners, Windsor Pizza Parlor, a local arcade or bar with machinesOffer, pizza by the slice inside the arcade with a game credit bundleContent hook, first Friday throwback with pizza grease and high scoresWellness three stop SundayPartners, a yoga studio, a smoothie shop, a massage therapistOffer, class pass that includes a smoothie and a discount on a first massageContent hook, start the week with calm and communityCopy friendly caption templateHeader, It is a good day to go localBody, This week we teamed up with partner one, partner two, and partner three for theme name. Try the offer details and tag a friend to plan your stop.CTA, Follow everyone tagged. Share this to your story so more neighbors see it.Closer, Stay in the buzzDM outreach template you can paste and sendHi name, I love what you are doing at business. I am planning a small local collaboration for theme, example weekend of date range. We would handle a shared calendar, a simple offer customers can use at each location, and an easy photo and video plan so posting is quick. Would you be open to a quick chat to see if it fits your goals this monthSimple photo and video checklist for your team• Ten second clips of hands, smiles, pours, plating, and product close ups• Wide shot of the space with people moving• One quick owner hello that says the offer in one sentence• Three photos, one exterior, one hero product, one people momentShoot vertical, keep clips steady, and record natural sound so editors have optionsRun this once and you will feel the difference, new faces through the door, more shares, more saves, and real relationships that last longer than a post. Collaboration is not a trend here, it is how the 815 grows together.GO LOCAL AND STAY IN THE BUZZ

✨ You are invited to a night of discovery, flavor, and music at Burpee On The Rocks! ✨📍 Burpee Museum – 737 N. Main Street, Rockford🗓 Saturday, September 20 | 6 PM – 9 PMWhy it matters: Your support helps provide free music programs, scholarship classes, and outreach for school-age children, giving every student the chance to explore science, art, and creativity.What to expect:⭐ Private exhibit access, live animals, and behind-the-scenes science demos⭐ Live music by Joker’s Rival from Chicago⭐ A gourmet tasting menu from local chefs⭐ Silent auction with unique prizes⭐ Guest speakers who inspire curiosity and learning🎟 Tickets are limited! If sold out, call Visitor Services at (815) 965-3433 to enroll by phone. 💸 Save 25% with the Rockford Buzz coupon code BuzzBurpee25! Good for general admission tickets. Must preregister to use code (in person, by phone, or on the website). Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of food, music, and community.

Victory Tap in Rockford IL, is the go-to spot for big flavor and friendly service. Known for its generously sized wings with a variety of sauces, affordable menu, and modern atmosphere, this local favorite is a perfect place to gather with friends. With daily food and drink specials, there’s always something worth coming back for.So make sure to remember, it's a good day to go LOCAL!

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra and Coronado Performing Arts Center hosted Curtains Up!, a special mixer event to launch the new performing arts season. Guests enjoyed an organ performance, a local performing arts expo, door prizes, complimentary desserts from SAVOR, and a lively cash bar.The evening also highlighted exciting opportunities for young people: kids ages 6–18 can now attend Rockford Symphony Orchestra performances for free, and through the Reach for the Stars program, every fourth grader can experience a world-class show at the Coronado.Curtains Up! was a celebration of the incredible talent and creativity right here in Rockford and a reminder of the vibrant arts community that makes our city shine.

Rockford, meet the flavor powerhouse that is Easy Tiger 🐯🔥. We have Brent, the owner, sharing the story behind his bold menu, creative vision, and why Easy Tiger is quickly becoming a local favorite.From unique dishes to a welcoming vibe, this spot is all about mixing great food with Rockford community spirit. So stop in, taste for yourself, and support a business that’s bringing something new and exciting to the local dining scene.