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.  

“We have many challenges ahead. Not only do we want the building to be filled with former participants who now work in the program, but also new families to come and find in us a loving community just as Jesus Christ has called us. We want families to work hand in hand with us. We want to continue promoting the values ​​of faith in young people so that they have a purpose in their lives,” Jessica adds. 

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@nullnewlifecenters.org/  Location: 3908 W. Hirsch St, Chicago IL, 60651