Our Work with Arriving Migrants in Chicago
Want to join us in this work? Consider donating kitchen and bathroom welcome baskets for families (see flyer).
Another way you can support us is by giving to
our Welcome Hope campaign here!
We are additionally delivering meals to families staying in local police stations, as they wait to be placed in city shelters. Twice a week, we also pick them up to take showers in a mobile shower unit outside of our Little Village building.
Most importantly we are connecting them to the community and creating a network of hope and healing. Your donation will go a long way in helping us do that.
A New Wave of Mentors
Al
Gio is a La Semilla instructor and is coaching his own soccer team for NSLV. The team players are actually his students! Gio has also been part of our Running Forward sports program at Centers.
We are so proud of all 4 of them! They are now paying it forward and mentoring other young people in their community. This is what creating the Beloved Community is all about!
Creating the Beloved Community Together Through Relationships
Time has proven that genuine and lasting relationships are powerful. We have seen first-hand former participants healing from traumas, finding their own place in this world, and becoming mentors themselves.
Here are some amazing stories:
MARCUS CAVAZOS
Axander Andrade was one of Marcus’s mentees in the Choose to Change program. He also didn’t know he needed a mentor until he met Marcus. He said it has made a difference to have someone from the neighborhood there for him, who has been through the same struggles, motivating him and teaching him important life skills.
Aaron Rivas is one of our Street Outreach mentors. He met Marcus through some of our basketball programs. He is thankful that God has allowed him to have relationships with young men who look at him like a father.
VANESSA SANCHEZ
Vanessa met Jazmin Torres, Director of GEMS program, when she was in 7th grade. She’s been participating ever since.
Vanessa is now a GEMS student ambassador and assists Jazmin during program. GEMS is a girl’s mentoring program that empowers them to embrace their hurt, their community and their struggles. The program ultimately helps young girls find their misplaced selves and makes GEMS out of them.
Vanessa is only one of many girls Jazmin Torres has poured into during her time working at New Life Centers. The youngwomen admire her confidence and self-determination to work towards her dreams and goals. They also admire her faith in Jesus, which Jazmin shares very boldly. Jazmin is a pillar for women at New Life Centers as a whole.
DIANA FRANCO
Diana Franco is another young woman whom Jazmin Torres mentored for years. She had participated in La Semilla after-school program before she joined the GEMS program. Through her mentoring relationship, she learned the importance of fighting for her own voice. She is now motivated to raise her voice for her community.
At the beginning of the pandemic when many were losing their jobs, Diana stepped up to help lead the new food pantry. The team was serving hundreds of families a week. Diana is currently the Food Pantry Administrative Coordinator.
Joining that team meant a lot to Diana. She vividly remembers a time when her mom didn’t have enough money for food. Being able to make sure her community has the groceries necessary, warms her heart.
Jazmin has witnessed Diana’s growth, is blown away and humbled by the experience of walking alongside of her as a leader in the organization and a mother. Diana believes having a mentor tell you they are there for you no matter where you are at, is crucial and can make a great impact in a young person’s life.
Be a part of what God is doing through Centers! GIVE here!
About 1,500 Turkeys and Food Boxes Distributed for Thanksgiving
About 1,500 turkeys and food boxes were distributed to families in Little Village right before Thanksgiving Day! It was so essential for us to continue this. Hundreds of families had their holiday dinners secured. Special thanks to our volunteers who helped make this happen. The Israeli Consulate, UPS, Target, White Sox and the CJ Brown Foundation supported us. Special thanks to some of our staff who delivered to participant families.
Resiliency Services Walks With Families During Hard Times
Our Resiliency Services team walks alongside victims of violence and their families with empathy and compassion. They arrive at the scene, visit the hospital and connect them to resources. They help plan a funeral if the incident is fatal. They continue to walk with them long-term through grief groups and counseling. This team is there in the most challen
The Vine Students Learn to Sew
Activities at The Vine after-school program are carefully planned and thought out to help students learn extra-curricular skills. Recently, older children had the option to take a sewing class by Mrs. Brown. The children enjoyed seeing their creations come to life through patience, persistence and learning by making mistakes. One of the hardest lessons to learn for some of our students is that mistakes are not the end. They can not only recover but also learn and grow each time they make a mistake. Sewing enhances cognitive development and motor skills, requiring concentration and hand-eye coordination. We are excited to offer more classes like this one in the future!
Centers Youth Run the Chicago Marathon
Running Forward in the Chicago Marathon! Six youth participants of our running group ran over 26 miles around our city to complete the Chicago Marathon. These young men demonstrated dedication and endurance during months of training. We are so proud of them! Shout out to their mentor, Epi Diaz who walked with them through that process!
After Years of Waiting, Humboldt Park Location Gets a Playground
Our after-school program The Vine in Humboldt Park got a new playground! After years of the students dreaming, sketching, and planning what it would look like, it finally happened! The students are thrilled and ask to play on it every day during gym time. This playground is so much more than a playground. It promotes social and emotional learning, brain development, motor skills and coordination. It also helps students cope and heal from the trauma they experience in their neighborhood
Playing for Peace: Crosstown Classic Game
