#HERStory - Why Mentoring?
Walking life on life with people is at the very heart of transformation! Mentoring relationships is one of the most meaningful ways we get to be part of lives being transformed, with 337 young people receiving mentoring services through New Life Centers last year. While things have changed to online mentoring for now, the important need for mentoring continues as critical as ever. As mentor and mentee for 3 years, Jasmine and Shea share in their journey the real power of mentoring!
Jasmine became a mentor because she herself was mentored. "I was a softball player. Started playing when I was in 5th grade. Naturally, my coach became my mentor. He told me once , 'you don’t always have to act ghetto. 
You deserve more than what your community has stamped on you.' That was probably the first time someone made me take a look at myself in a new light... that’s what mentoring does. Mentoring has defined my purpose. It allows me to help young men and women who have been in similar shoes with me, teach them that they are more than what their communities have already labeled them to be... their brown skin complexions are enough, though society sometimes says otherwise.
Mentoring to me doesn’t mean that we know everything nor does it mean that we will understand/relate to every youth. They aren’t looking for someone to look like them to build a relationship with, youth are looking for people who know how to be themselves. As a mentor, it’s our job to not only teach, but to also accept teachable moments from youth . It it not our place to judge or inflict our own beliefs onto the kids we walk with, but show them they have options. they do not have to be subjected to the community that wants to define them. Being a mentor means a lot of tough hours and a never ending job. Most importantly, being a mentor, is making sure these youth are put in a better position to succeed, in a better position to feel loved , and in a better position to dream."
GEMS - Young Women Empowered to Lead!
A few of our GEMS young ladies had the opportunity to kayak across the Sea of Cortez in Baja, California through Chicago Adventure Therapy. Due to COVID-19, the trip was cancelled. God’s timing is best, and we are hoping in the near future they will be able to have this opportunity again! In the meantime if you want some uplifting content (and candid moments!) in the midst of all the uncertainty, read below as you get to know a few of our girls and their personal journeys over the years. We are so proud of each of them and love them deeply!
Stephanie (top right) is our first GEMS youth ambassador who started out as a participant of the program and is now on staff here at New Life Centers. Stephanie is a beautiful example of the mentoring work done here - as she passionately helps to lead part of the GEMS initiative on Monday nights. Stephanie is one of many young women from the community of Little Village that feels empowered to lead and be a positive example to those around her.
Diana (top left) has been volunteering in all aspects of the GEMS program for a few years now and is a constant presence at all of our summer events. During the summer, you will find Diana running the tables where individuals sign-up and data is collected for our summer softball season. She is currently a student at a local community college and hopes to one day work as a Social Worker in the Little Village community. We are so proud of her!
Bianca (top left) came to the GEMS program as a shy quiet 5th grader. Eight years later, she is now a freshman at a local community college and currently holds 2 jobs. Bianca has faithfully attended the GEMS program and is proud of how far she has come. She is always open and willing to share her knowledge with the younger participants. This year Bianca has taken on more of a leadership role and loves helping the young ladies at the GEMS program achieve their goals.
Our hope for the young ladies in GEMS is that they would feel empowered, known and loved by us as we continue to support and walk with them through every season of their life. Please continue to keep us and these young women in your prayers!
Arise Creations: Empowering Young Entrepreneurs!
Arise Creations has been busy jumping into a new year of learning and creating! Since January, Richelle Marvé, Arise Assistant Director and middle school teacher, has sustained the Arise program while Hannah Olson (Arise Director) has been on maternity leave. 
The Arise youth recently began learning how to budget! After years of wanting to earn money, like the high school youth, our middle school youth are earning educational stipends for the first time this semester! We are elated to introduce to them a new sense of responsibility and ownership over their hard-work. As a result, we have taught both classes basic principles on how to manage their money and save. During the lesson, many of the young ladies struggled to determine how much was reasonable to save. It was a great lesson to help them be realistic but also intentional about managing their earnings. One of our middle school youth is excited to save money to help her dad buy a new car. Others have plans to use their money to buy gifts and take some financial burden off their families. Our plan is to continue educating the young ladies on good money management practices to empower them to make wise choices and make plans as they grow into empowered women!
Arise News:
- Arise was recently featured on a podcast! Check out this podcast episode by World Outspoken where Hannah Olson shares the mission and heart of Arise, as well as the message behind Arise Creations signature piece, Urban Hope.
- The ROOTED Tassel keychain has expanded into an entire collection. Last fall, we launched the ROOTED MINI tassel necklace & MINI tassel earrings. This month we plan to launch the NEW MAXI tassel earrings. You can find all available lines on the Arise Creations Etsy page!
- Follow us @arisecreations for more Arise news and stories!
Bringing the City Together Through Baseball
There’s a buzz on Friday nights at UIC. Groups from across the city make their way to the Curtis Granderson Indoor Turf Field for the Winter Baseball Clinic put on by New Life Centers, Little Village Little League, Chicago Westside Baseball, and CBEA! 80-100 kids come each week and we have three rules:
1. Have fun,
2. Work hard, and
3. Meet someone new.
It’s beautiful to see neighborhoods that historically are separate coming together and young people meeting each other for the first time. There is a lot of laughter, play, skill building, and community building…all through the game of baseball. This is the beginning of a beautiful partnership with groups across the city and we will build on this for the future.
If you would like to get involved through coaching, volunteering, or giving, let us know!
Growing and Thriving at the Vine
The Vine has been creatively providing safe and meaningful space for young people to learn, play, and grow in Humboldt Park.
One of our favorite parts is walking with young people for many years, getting to know each story and watch each young person grow. Sometimes it isn't until a young person is in Middle School that we get to see how important it is to be building long-term relationships.
One Middle Schooler was admitted to the hospital for a week this month for mental health care. As this individual's school called us and we intentionally supported the parents through the difficult situation, we celebrate our partnerships with schools and families so each young person receives holistic care in and outside the home. Coming back from the hospital, this same youth shared that, "I'm comfortable here and I'm able to be myself."
Gifted with creativity, James continues to bring new ways to walk alongside the youth into the Middle School classroom. A recently donated ping pong table and keyboards in the room inspire play and creativity, while helping youth feel comfortable in a space designed for them. Youth continue learning skills in woodworking, cooking and piano playing - with songs ranging from the Arthur theme song to Beethoven! New this year is the Snack Shack, where youth have PIN-based debit cards, can buy snacks, earn interest on money saved, run the stock room, and even be manager.
Celebrating our All-Stars
Wow, what a weekend! Our young people were highlighted, celebrated, and got to spend the weekend with the stars!
Day in and day out we get to do life together with our young people and we know how amazing they are, they’re all stars! This weekend was about them!
With NBA all-star weekend in town, our young people were able to participate in clinics, panels, fireside chats, and even go court-side for the festivities. Through our partnership with the Obama Foundation and the My Brothers Keeper program, our young people met President Obama, NBA Stars and Legends, and were celebrated for who they are!
Marcus, one of our young people, was chosen as the TNT social media correspondent and was able to spend the day following the stars. Here’s what he had to say about the weekend:
We were blessed to be able to host the All-Star game in Chicago and show off the best of our city!
School Doors Opening For NLC Mentors
Partner schools have opened their doors for Centers staff to continue in-school mentoring this year. We are currently working in 3 schools: Gary Elementary, Eli Whitney Elementary and Brian Piccolo Elementary. Keep reading to see what God is doing at each location!
Gary Elementary
At first, the students at Gary showed reluctance to share, open up and interact with New Life Centers mentors. Our mentors have been leading activities where sharing can be normalized and/or anonymous so they won’t feel ashamed or embarrassed. It has taken time but there has been an improvement in the students openness during group! NLC mentors are planning to take them out on a group field trip during a nonattendance school day to continue to strengthen the camaraderie within the group.
Eli Whitney Elementary
This school year is the first time that Centers has conducted in-school mentoring at Eli Whitney. We are very grateful that the school personnel have opened their doors to us so that we can connect with the students. The youth really enjoy the group sessions which gives them a safe space to process through what they are currently going through. One youth in particular used to be very reserved but has grown in his confidence and now initiates conversation and volunteers to take part in the group activities.
Brian Piccolo Elementary
At Piccolo this year, we are focusing on how the students can apply what they are learning in the classroom and become peer mentors to the younger students in the school. NLC mentors are continuing to build relationships with the youth so they can learn who they are in a setting that is judgement free. They facilitate conversations that allow the students to voice their concerns about life issues that affect their communities and influence their school. A recent goal that mentors had for the youth was to help them understand the meaning behind Christmas and experience the gift of giving. As a response to this teaching, the students chose to bless three families that attend their school that were in need for Christmas. They planned gift ideas, shopped for the families, wrapped the gifts and gave the gifts to the families before Christmas break. The youth shared that this project made them feel good knowing that they were able to bless someone who they knew probably would not have received any gifts.
Uniting Youth in the Neighborhood through Collaborative League
Last semester New Life Centers was able to enroll two teams in the NSLV league (Neighborhood Sports Little Village). This league is a collaborative sports league that unites youth and schools in the neighborhood of Little Village. The sport for last semester was volleyball and the youth enjoyed participating in the league and sharpening their volleyball skills.
In addition to practices, the league administers group based curriculum in order to supplement the youths' growth by challenging them to develop emotional and social skills. One youth in particular had grown tremendously as he used to let his emotions get the better of him if he became frustrated with the outcome of a game. By the end of the season, he was able to respond in a much healthier way to outcomes that were challenging.
Basketball season started last week and we are excited to see the growth and development that will happen in the lives of the youth!
Tackling & Thanksgiving Brings Little Village Together
The Turkey Bowl brought community together for a day of Football, Food and Fellowship. With the weather at a crisp 40 degrees, we were able to play 3 games, one flag football and two old fashion tackle football. The community brought a lot of food to share like rice, mashed potatoes, hot chocolate and tamales. We greatly appreciate the sponsors of this event that made it possible: Alderman Mike Rodriguez, Laura at Nuevo Leon Restaurant and Pizza Nova. Also, one of our partner organizations, Enlace, pitched in as well to make the event a true blessing to everyone in the neighborhood.
It was a great time to build community by eating and playing together. The Turkey bowl has become a great Little Village tradition that we plan to continue!