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!
Uniquely Fashioned Woodworking
“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being...” (Genesis 2:7) From the onset of Creation we see God’s intimate love and specific care for humanity. God spoke the universe into existence but fashioned and molded man out of the ground. God got His hands dirty making the pinnacle of His creation: us!
We’ve been exploring with a group of middle school kids that come to our after school programming, how we have been “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God (Psalm 139:14) and create, invent, and produce with a purpose because we are made in the image of the great Creator. Through woodworking, we’ve been able to imitate the Creator and “get our hands dirty” by fashioning our own creations. Currently: ping pong paddles!
Each paddle carries the unique and personal design and marks of the middle schoolers.
Join us as we show the world how we are #uniquelyfashioned and become a supporter to receive your very own, personally crafted and limited edition ping pong paddle. During this week only, a one-time donation of $70 or more towards our Give Hope campaign will automatically get you a ping pong paddle of your choice in design, as well as private link to a ping pong tournament with the youth and staff.
The tournament will take place at 5pm (CST) on November 22 if you want to catch it live!
Follow us today at #UniquelyFashioned and go to give.weraise.org/givehope to give
Youth Ambassador "Blossoming" at GEMS Program
New Life Centers GEMS program has been blossoming in so many areas. Some of the ladies from the program have started their first year of high school or their first jobs; while others have been the first to attend college in their families. Lots of big WINS!
During the fall and summer, the girls at GEMS were consistently taken out of their comfort zone by participating in new activities like rock climbing, kayaking, white water rafting, Bulls games, school plays and getting to know their community in a different lens. It's been a great experience to see them extending a helpful hand and coming back to help lead and serve at New Life Centers.
Steph is always ready to help and support the GEMS girls, other youth, and families from the community. In order to serve others, she stayed with GEMS as a volunteer for a year after graduating high school while working another job and keeping her education options open for college. It's been an encouragement to see how God has been working in Steph's life as a GEMS youth ambassador and how she has been growing into more opportunities. She brings great suggestions and strategies to help heal her hood of Little Village. Steph is a game changer for GEMS with all her love and kindnesses that she has shared!
[fusion_gallery layout="" picture_size="" columns="" column_spacing="" gallery_masonry_grid_ratio="" gallery_masonry_width_double="" s2id_autogen12="" s2id_autogen12_search="" hover_type="" lightbox="yes" s2id_autogen13="" s2id_autogen13_search="" lightbox_content="" bordersize="" bordercolor="" border_radius="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""][fusion_gallery_image image="https://newlifecenters.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/gems5.jpg" image_id="5962" link="" linktarget="_self" /][fusion_gallery_image image="https://newlifecenters.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/gems3.jpg" image_id="5960" link="" linktarget="_self" /][fusion_gallery_image image="https://newlifecenters.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/GEMS2.jpg" image_id="5959" link="" linktarget="_self" /][/fusion_gallery]
Running Forward Runs Little Village
Running Forward is a group for young men and women who are striving to meet their goals on and off the track. They meet 2-3 times a week to train together and empower one another.
This year, Running Forward has had 10 young men regularly running together. Ru
"One of my favorite things that I’ve witness was that youth took up the challenge to run across the bridge by the neighborhood… some did it one week, and took up the challenge to do it again the very next week. I like to see that kids create their own challenges out there and face them."
Our hope for Running Forward is that young men and women can utilize running as a tool to combat stress. We are also hoping that Running Forward can become a charity-partner for the Bank of America Marathon next year.
Epi and three of the young men are currently training for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon this Saturday, November 9! To support them as they run, click here to sponsor a mile and help us reveal their picture.
for updates on the marathon this weekend!
'Hope Squad' Bringing Light to Incarcerated Young People
This past year, New Life Centers has had the privilege of serving youth at another Juvenile Detention Center located in St Charles, IL. This project is a collaborative of the Restorative Justice Hubs (www.rjhubs.org) with partners who are located in the neighborhoods with the highest rates of violence, and are committed to hyper-local programming, restorative justice practices, trauma-informed approaches, and principles of nonviolence.
This Juvenile Justice team calls themselves the ‘Hope Squad.’ They are trying to create safe spaces for young people to see their worth and value while they temporarily reside in a place that constantly reminds them of their shame and decisions/mistakes.
Some of the programming provided by the Hope Squad include:
- Freestyle Hip Hop Peace Circles provided by Circles and Ciphers, which culminates with an Open Mic performance
- Restorative Justice Peace Circles provided by Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation
- Afro-Caribbean Drumming Classes provided by Segundo Revis Belvis Cultural Center, which concludes with a concert performance by students
- Art and Sports programming provided by Alliance of Local Services, which produced a mural created and painted by the youth in the Teen Center
- Equine Therapy provided by Adler University and An Arena for Change for youth with more trauma history and requiring additional mental health services
New Life Centers also sponsored the following special events:
- Summer Family Fun Fest, which included games, food, inflatable slip and slide, dunk tank and drumming circle. Many families attended and participated in the corn hole games, the water slide and more. The facility has never held an event like this on the facility grounds and with such success!
- An obstacle course event
- Fall Family Fun Fest with parent-teacher conferences. The 2nd Family Fun Fest included an inflatable obstacle course, life size Connect Four, Jumbo Jenga, food and more. Youth participated in a peace circle with teachers, families and staff.
- An Xbox NBA2k Tournament
New Life Centers is excited to continue working with local partners for Year 2 of the project, bringing hope and life to young people in desperate need.