An Unforgettable Summer for Young People Living in a Little Village Shelte
Over the summer, we held a seven-week camp 40 youths currently residing in our state-run migrant shelter in Little Village. The camp offered various activities to provide a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. The focus was on education, community integration, and strengthening families.
Participants took English classes, technology classes and went on a total of eight field trips. We also offered literature,
math, and specialized activities such as basketball training and mural painting.
For Niurka, a 13-year-old Venezuelan girl, the English classes sparked an interest to learn the language further. “During these last few weeks we were doing many activities, but the one I loved the most was learning English,” Niurka tells us.
Our main goal for the camp was to help the youth feel confident in their abilities and inspire them to envision a bright future as they entered the new school year.
Rihaner is a fifteen-year-old boy who arrived to the city with his family about a month ago. The counseling classes he was a part of were the most motivating for him. “I liked the classes that taught us about respecting people. I learned not to judge others and to have discipline in my schedule. I am in my second year of high school, and I know these lessons will be useful in the coming years,” said Rihaner.
Furthermore, we provided a unique opportunity for the campers to interact with health, education, and marketing professionals to fuel their career dreams. The camp's success was made possible thanks to the support of Enlace Chicago, Grace Christian Academy, and the dedicated staff at New Life Centers.
A great story of overcoming: Giovanni Bello from runner to mentor
Giovanni began his involvement in the New Life Centers sports disciplines in 2015. After six years as a participant, he became a sports instructor for the La Semilla program in 2021, to later escalate in 2023, as a sports mentor in the different sports disciplines we promote, including Running Forward, soccer, and volleyball. He never imagined what came five years later, when one of his mentors offered him the chance to be a sports mentor in the Running Forward program.
Running Forward is a space where a group of young men and women strive to achieve their goals both inside and outside of running. With more than 60 youth participants and 30 returning runners, this group meets twice a week to run 2 to 7 miles each time. As they acquire endurance skills, they set individual goals to reach their full potential as athletes.
His Beginnings at Running Forward
Geovanni’s life began to change once he joined our Running Forward program. “This program from the beginning attracted many young people from nearby neighborhoods, some of them came with problems at home and found physical and mental comfort in sports due to the discipline it requires. These youth are now recognized as leaders in the community and have earned respect,” Giovanni tells us.
Giovanni remembers that one of the things that impacted him the most on his first day as a Running Forward participant was a gift that the director, Epifanio Díaz, gave to the group of runners. “He gave us sneakers, and it was something new to me that a coach would give you shoes and let you keep them. It was something very shocking to me,” Giovanni points out.
His Contribution to the Program as a Mentor
Giovanni addresses challenges and obstacles participants must overcome, the importance of maintaining their discipline as athletes, and reminding them not to lose the goals proposed to achieve greater success in the sport.
During the weekly sessions, participants have the opportunity to have conversations about their personal growth goals, receive support when making decisions and help them learn how to reduce stress when facing problems. “We have a team that understands the situations young people go through, which creates a safe space for youth to grow and accomplish goals,” adds Giovanni.
Giovanni adds that mentoring sessions involve life lessons, conflict resolution, and discipline as a mechanism to build personality. “Being the coach for this program has taught me to relate to young people and learn from their experiences. Every time we meet, my advice is to maintain discipline, if they really wish to stay active in sports and overcome obstacles,” Giovanni tells us.
Everyone is Welcome to the Program
Empowering the next generation is essential for a more just society with less violence. Through the sports program, we offer families a positive structure and growth opportunities that impact better education and development of young people. "We are open to receiving any young person who wants to participate. We encourage them to visit us and learn about the programs we have. Practic
Giovanni highlights that “the program handles all types of situations with young people who find themselves in difficult situations, we contact the necessary people to help them and establish commitments with them so that they meet their goals.”
His Advice to other Young People
“When the young person arrives here, my advice is that they do not paralyze themselves, because we all start from the bottom. I am always motivating them to go for their goals and acquire leadership skills, which are two of the things that will help them grow daily as they go into adulthood,” says Giovanni.
Giovanni concludes that “at New Life Centers we have established a competitive methodology, where no young person should feel pressured, but rather, they should feel motivated without exceeding their limits, since in the end, they are the ones who establish their expectations, and we only help them during the whole process.”
Running Forward Participants
Arise Creations: an opportunity to start a business and grow
Arise Creations is more than a handmade jewelry program at New Life Centers. It is a creative small business driven by young and dynamic women. The purpose is to empower girls in grades 6-12 in the Humboldt Park and Little Village neighborhoods.
Since 2016, Arise Creations has been promoting creativity, empowerment, and the spirit of entrepreneurship and enrichment to young women. The methodology of this program is based on the creativity of designs inspired by biblical principles, which contribute to self-improvement, leadership skills, business knowledge, and spiritual growth.
Every week around 10 young women and instructors meet to make designs and shape pieces of jewelry to create bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. We interviewed some participants to highlight their main achievements during their time in this program.
Shanyce Johnson has been a participant for six years and is now a 12th-grade student; she learned about the program through her sister, who had also participated before. “This program met my expectations from the beginning. My sister used to come when she was my age and it was something that intrigued me. I am satisfied with the results so far,” said Shanyce.
For Shanyce, one of the most significant things at Arise Creations has been developing emotional connections with participants and the instructors. This has created a culture where the group looks after each other's needs. “We have a very passionate team that enjoys what they do and are always looking out for the well-being of each one of us,” she tells us very enthusiastically.
Shanyce concludes the program has contributed to her social development in the last six years. “This program has taught me to be a very receptive person when it comes to listening. Here, I learned to be an open person with others, to understand that we are all different and bring differing points of view. I learned about the experiences of other people, which today are my motivation,” Shanyce pointed out.
Saraí Pineda is another Arise Creations program participant and eighth-grade student. This initiative has given her a new vision for the future. “I started at Arise a year ago and over time I have become aware of the importance of earning my own money through selling,” Saraí tells us.
Although Saraí’s first days making jewelry didn’t feel very productive, she focused on continuing to try until she was able to finish the fine pieces. “I remember that one of my greatest achievements in this program was when I created my first piece called Urban Hope. That day I was very excited because it had taken me time to learn. When I was beginning, I felt lost,” Saraí recalls.
Despite her frustration, Saraí did not give up and kept in mind the advice she received from her instructors to not let herself be defeated. “The instructors have been influential in my growth within the program. They teach us to overcome fear, control our nerves, step out of our comfort zone, and persevere,” concludes Sarai.
Valeria is a 16-year-old participant in the 11th-grade. She learned about the Arise Creations program through a flyer her mother got as she waited in line at our food pantry in Humboldt Park. “I said to myself, oh, making jewelry sounds interesting. That's when I came to ask for information, and I was able to sign up to do what I do today with a lot of passion,” Valeria tells us.
Participating in this
Saraí’s greatest satisfaction is when she sees the products she created exhibited in stores. “It feels exciting to have our jewelry reach large stores, businesses, and cafes, and be able to see the work displayed there. Without a doubt, it feels so good, and I can only be thankful for being part of this great work,” she concludes.
An additional value the program offers participants is the spiritual enrichment and business skills they acquire to open doors as future businesswomen, participating in fairs with suppliers, conferences, and other events that contribute to their profit.
For the future, the Arise Creations program hopes to expand products to a network of distributors to market what participants make, partner with other commercial establishments, and increase the number of women participating in the program as it enables economic independence.
Orientation for New Vecinos will have a positive impact on their lives
All families need help when life gets tough, and migrant families new to Chicago (New Vecinos) constantly face additional challenges that make them a more vulnerable group. At New Life Centers we are aware that this process of social and cultural adaptation in families can only be achieved with the proper guidance.
Faced with this need, we recently submitted an Educational Strategic Plan proposal to the Illinois Department of Human Services, intended to be implemented in shelters where our new neighbors live. This plan was desi
This Educational Strategic Plan was designed by a team of staff that currently work for New Life Centers and has extensive experience in education. Most of them are people who have arrived from Venezuela and are now giving back by using their expertise to support and set these families up for success.
“The methodological resources with which this Educational Plan was designed will have a positive impact on the newly arrived families. This tool will guide them on key issues ranging from how to find a job, proper use of technology, problem-solving, guidance on the scheme of laws that they must comply with, as well as strengthening skills in their lives to achieve the goals they have set for themselves,” concluded Américo Marcano, a Venezuelan national and Centers staff who supported the development of this plan.
At New Life Centers, our hope is for our new neighbors to embrace change and overcome current and future challenges while allowing us to continue supporting and loving them.
The Vine Program: A place to dream and share emotions
There is a place where children feel safe and can have fun sharing their biggest dreams, joys, and emotions with other children in the neighborhood. We find this space at a New Life Centers building, in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, where more than 120 children and young people who participate in our The Vine program come every week. “This is a beautiful program, because, in addition to the children's academic reinforcement after school, we also promote the values of love for one's neighbor, how to take care of one's community, and above all the values of faith,” says Berenice Santos, instructor of The Vine program for 6th to 8th graders.
The Vine began in mid-2006 as there was a need to serve children during their free time in the summer and after school. Since the launch of this program, each summer we have served more than one hundred children and young people from grades K-8th, promoting educational, recreational, and pre-work training activities year-round.
This year, The Vine has focused on serving even more families, sharing spaces and strengthening ties between parents and children through festivals, block parties, excursions, camping days, among other recreational activities that contribute to the physical and emotional well-being of the participants.
This summer’s main achievements are more involvement of parents in their children's activities, young people attending our sister church Sunday services and bible studies, and an increase in activities outside our building so that children and young people can discover more emblematic places of the city.
“We have managed to get many of our students to come to church and learn more about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus, families have found in us a space to express their concerns and to find answers. We have increased support for young people in a job training program to give them a sense of ownership over their decisions,” said Jessica Quigley, director if The Vine.
The success of The Vine program lies in its educational design since it combines an educational methodology based on love, respect, and understanding with the best pedagogical practices of its instructors and volunteers. Participants receive healthy snacks, access to technology, recreational activities, Bible studies, and homework help.
For Alisha, a 4th-grade girl participant, The Vine has helped her get to know other places and meet new friends. “I like when we go to other places outside the classroom because I can have fun with my new friends, and we play until we're tired,” Alisha tells us, very happy and with a smile on her face.
For information about this program, please reach out to Jessica Quigley.
E-mail: jessicaq@newlifecenters.org/ Location: 3908 W. Hirsch St, Chicago IL, 60651
“I want to become part of the NBA”
Elijah tells us that he joined the New Life Centers league two years ago, and it has been a valuable experience. “Since I joined the basketball program, I feel like something has changed in my life because I see it as something very special. This sport opens the door to other sports, have healthy fun, have a good time with your friends, and keep yourself busy with something.”
For Elijah, the opportunity to practice this sport not only allows him to have fun and have a good time with his friends but also helps him set goals for the future, “My goal is to one day play in the NBA because I love basketball, and I enjoy it a lot as if it were a part of me.”
He admits that promoting these sports leagues brings many benefits to the community. It promotes peace in the community to reduce violence. “All of us who play this sport know that it is a healthy way to have fun and that it brings peace of mind to the community, we are all together and play in peace.”
He hopes to continue playing to improve his skills as he gains experience. “My family supports my decisions and from my perspective, parents love bringing their children to play and have fun here, so that means it's a good thing.”
Elijah recently graduated from eighth grade and hopes to play basketball in high school when he starts at the Chicago Bulls College Prep in the fall.
Amy L Williams: “We seek a world with more compassion for others.
With three decades of experience in restorative justice and juvenile detention work, Amy shares her life experience of ministering and working with gang-involved youth, on probation or incarcerated. She bears a conciliatory message that reduces the gaps of marginalization or social exclusion.
“Amy has written an inspiring, practical, and must-read book for anyone working with youth or marginalized people. Her stories and experiences provide valuable information and insights to connect with and love others as Christ sees them,” commented one participant.
Amy graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is currently the Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Project Coordinator at New Life Centers. She coordinates restorative justice programming in the youth correctional centers in St. Charles, Warrenville, and Chicago.
Zoo at McCormick School, an exotic adventure for Little Village families
In addition to this animal exhibit, families were able to play games, win many prizes, and enjoy free food. Come check us out every Friday in the summer at McCormick School in Little Village, 2712 S. Sawyer from 5:30 to 8:00 pm.
We are transforming the neighborhood through basketball
Our Hoops in the Hood youth basketball league provides a safe space in our community for 4th to 8th graders and their families. This initiative aims to promote community development, respect, and teamwork. You can also participate every Thursday during the summer at McCormick Elementary School at 2712 S. Sawyer from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
Hoops in the Hood brings community-centered while taking back streets that have experienced violence, creating safe spaces for youth and adults to build positive relationships, and fostering a sense of community.
New Life Centers is officially an Illinois Welcome Center: Offering appointments in Little Village and Midway
We are now an Illinois Welcome Center and have begun booking appointments in Little Village and Midway. This program will provide comprehensive services to all Illinois immigrants.
Through this service, we will provide case management, general information and referrals, translation and interpretation of non-legal documents, crisis support, and hold information sessions for access to other services.
Our appointments will be:
Mondays and Tuesdays
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
New Life Centers-Midway
5101 S Keeler Ave,
Chicago, Il 60632.
Thursdays and Fridays
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
New Life Centers- Little Village
657 S. Lawndale Ave
Chicago IL, 60623
To book an appointment go to:
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For La Villita - https://calendly.com/d/cn86-6zt-f4r/cita-de-asesoramiento-la-villita
The goal of our Welcome Center is to give information about social services state agencies offer to help immigrants reach their full potential in Illinois.