Former The Vine Student Comes Back to Teach
[fusion_gallery image_ids="3207,3208,3209,3210,3211,3212" layout="masonry" picture_size="" columns="2" column_spacing="10" gallery_masonry_grid_ratio="" gallery_masonry_width_double="" hover_type="" lightbox="yes" lightbox_content="" bordersize="" bordercolor="" border_radius="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""][/fusion_gallery]
Diamond came to The Vine afterschool program at New Life Centers when she was in 1st grade. She struggled with school work and would become discouraged easily. The Vine teachers started encouraging Diamond’s mother to seek out additional support for her at school. We walked her through this process and her daughter was able to get an IEP (Individual Education Plan) at her school. Once she received this she began to flourish! The partnership between her family and the school combined with Diamond's renewed energy to learn resulted in a straight-A student by middle school. In 9th grade she continued to come to the Vine each week for homework help but started to pursue her passion for art. Two years later she is a JR. in high school and is dual enrolled in a community college. When she graduates high school, she will almost have her Associate degree!
Diamond and her mom have always been heavily involved at New Life Centers. They are always looking for ways to give back to the people who have become family to them. This year Diamond, her Aunt Tille and her mom are offering the children at The Vine a free 8-week art class with all the materials provided. The kids are ecstatic and every day they are asking if it is art class day again!
Citywide Basketball Tournament at Moody Bible Institute
The citywide basketball tournament, called Cross City Collab, was the first of its kind for New Life Centers. The event brought together a total of 20 teams from 12 different organizations and schools from Chicago. Moody Bible Institute graciously agreed to host this big event.
Not only did everyone enjoy a competitive basketball tournament; but each team heard a presentation of the gospel and was challenged personally as well. Over 225 people attended the event either as a player, spectator or volunteer![fusion_vimeo id="https://vimeo.com/285407983/5ebb7e0bba " alignment="" width="" height="" autoplay="false" api_params="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class=""][/fusion_vimeo]
997 Participants at El Grito 5K 2018!
We were anticipating 700 runners/walkers to participate in this event and we surpassed that amount with 997 participants! It was a beautiful day and an awesome atmosphere for everyone to come together and celebrate Mexican Independence Day. We enjoyed Zumba warm-up, Mariachi during the race and tamales afterwards. A big thank you to our sponsors and volunteers that helped make this event a huge success!
[fusion_gallery image_ids="3155,3156,3157,3158,3159,3160,3173,3161,3162,3163,3164,3165,3166,3167,3168,3169,3171,3172" layout="masonry" picture_size="" columns="" column_spacing="10" gallery_masonry_grid_ratio="" gallery_masonry_width_double="" hover_type="" lightbox="yes" lightbox_content="" bordersize="" bordercolor="" border_radius="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""][/fusion_gallery]
Water Battle at the Park!
Our after-school program, The Vine, and R City celebrated their two year partnership by planning an epic water battle for the youth from both programs! The teams attempted to unfreeze and wear frozen t-shirts, got drenched in our water relays and ran our hearts out in team races. It was an incredible day at the park, full of healthy competition and so much laughter.
The Vine and R City have continued to work together to make a difference in the neighborhood of Humboldt Park with the goal of helping youth and young adults to understand how a relationship with Christ can transform their lives. This day is just another example of how we seek to collaborate to have a greater impact on our city. We cannot do this work alone and need our partner organizations as well as our prayer warriors and funders to continue to push towards the same goal: To connect youth and young adults to Christ and community!
Running Forward Youth Conquer the Half Marathon!
We are so proud of our 18 youth that successfully completed the Chicago Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. For 11 of them it was their first time running 13.1 miles. The parents of the runners were able to come and support them as well, which lifted their spirits on the course as they passed a familiar face in the crowd.
During the Half Marathon, Running Forward youth displayed the F.A.S.T. values that we have established for our running group: Faithful to God | Aspire to be a game-changer | Remain Steadfast |Endure Tests and prevail.
[fusion_gallery image_ids="3010,3008,3009,3007,3003,3001,3002,3004" layout="masonry" picture_size="" columns="2" column_spacing="10" gallery_masonry_grid_ratio="" gallery_masonry_width_double="" hover_type="" lightbox="yes" lightbox_content="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""][/fusion_gallery]
Summer Fun in Little Village!
New Life Centers is partnering with Beyond the Ball to offer family activities to the community 4 nights a week until school starts. The goal is to create fun and safe spaces for Little Village residents during the summer. All of our events are free and open to community residents. Many have come out to participate in the sports and children activities that we offer and enjoy free food and music.
[fusion_gallery image_ids="2989,2988,2987,2986,2985,2984,2983,2982,2981,2980" layout="grid" picture_size="" columns="2" column_spacing="10" gallery_masonry_grid_ratio="" gallery_masonry_width_double="" hover_type="" lightbox="yes" lightbox_content="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""][/fusion_gallery]
Youth CrossOver to Success
CrossOver is a basketball program that helps teens build ball-handling skills, teamwork, and work experience while preparing to cross over from high school to success. The objectives of Crossover are to use the game of basketball to spur students on to a physically, emotionally and mentally disciplined life. Through the program students learn the important values of teamwork, hard work, leadership, punctuality, goal setting, and peer encouragement. This is emphasized throughout program through open discussion, drills, competitions, etc. in order to give teens different perspectives as to their application in life and the value of keeping each other accountable to accomplish a common goal.
[fusion_gallery image_ids="2962,2961,2957,2955,2954,2943,2937,2956" layout="" picture_size="" columns="2" column_spacing="10" gallery_masonry_grid_ratio="" gallery_masonry_width_double="" hover_type="" lightbox="yes" lightbox_content="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""][/fusion_gallery]
Running Forward Enjoys Peaceful Run on Lakefront Trail
Running Forward youth enjoyed a 4 mile run on the Lakefront Trail this past week. It was a nice change from running in the busy neighborhood of Little Village. We had a debriefing session afterwards and youth shared that they really enjoyed the experience and that they would love to do it again. All smiles and content hearts after a great run on the Lakefront Trail!
Urban Life Skills Receives Award for Innovation in Mentoring
On May 18th New Life Centers was recognized by Mentor Illinois with the 2018 Innovation in Mentoring Award. This was given for all the mentoring innovations we have implemented in the Urban Life Skills Program. Thanks to our staff for all their hard work!
Little League Kicks Off the Season With Record Amount of Players
Little Village Little League has officially started! Our opening day was May 5th and it was a huge success. We have 185 youth participating in our baseball league which is the most we have ever had since Little League started 7 years ago. It was a beautiful day with lots of games and good food that families brought to share with everyone.
Many thanks to volunteers and sponsors who make this league possible!
[fusion_gallery image_ids="2802,2800,2792,2795,2794,2793,2798,2790,2789" layout="masonry" picture_size="" columns="2" column_spacing="18" gallery_masonry_grid_ratio="" gallery_masonry_width_double="" hover_type="" lightbox="yes" lightbox_content="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""][/fusion_gallery]