Mentoring
Education
Sports
Arise Creations
Following the model of New Life Centers, “life together makes a difference,” Arise Creations is a program that believes that walking alongside the girls in our community can change the direction of our youth. Since 2009, the program has served middle and high [...]
Boxing
Youth are trained in the basics of boxing. After mastering those skills, they will begin training for competitions with local boxing gyms. While learning the disciplines of the sport, the boxers are taught how to be disciplined and strive for excellence outside of [...]
Girls Empowering Meaningful Stories (GEMS)
Young ladies in middle and high school meet for small group mentoring and peer support. They focus on developing positive self-esteem and community through discussions, activities, community service, and teamwork. Because of this built-in support system, the young ladies are motivated and encouraged to face challenges and reach their goals in the context of community and mutual respect with their peers.
In-School Mentoring
Through partnerships with local schools, mentors create safe spaces during the school day where students are supported in small group settings towards character and academic development. Character-building activities enhance social and emotional development such as problem solving and healthy coping skills.
Juvenile Justice
Our Juvenile Justice focused program serves young people who are incarcerated at the Illinois Youth Corrections facilities in St. Charles and Chicago. This in facility programming is trauma-informed and facilitated by a variety of community partners and mediation services. The program aims at improving relationships among peers and facility administration to promote peace and positive decision-making.
La Semilla
The La Semilla After-School Program serves the children of our community, both academically and spiritually. The program includes homework help and tutoring, snack time, games, Bible lessons, gym and nutrition education, and more.
Little Village Basketball
Building relationships and community through sports 100+ high school youth participate in our basketball league each year. We also host late night open gyms two nights a week. Each of our leagues take youth off the streets and involved them in the positive world [...]
Little Village Little League
Building relationships and community through sports Little Village Little League is excited to be able to offer quality baseball programming to Little Village and its surrounding communities. The league seeks to grow a love for the game and take youth off the streets [...]
Little Village Summer Softball
Building relationships and community through sports 22 teams and 350 players participate in our community based softball league. We "play for peace" and break down walls between neighborhood and gang divisions through sports. Latest Updates Staff [...]
Neighborhood Sports Little Village (NSLV)
Neighborhood Sports Little Village is a sports collaborative that offers sports leagues, practices and curriculum based group sessions. New Life Centers is one of several organizations in Little Village that participate in this initiative to offer youth in Little Village access to safe spaces and quality programming.
One-on-One Mentoring
One-on-one mentoring is the cornerstone of all New Life Centers programming. It is interwoven into all other components of programming because relationships matter to us. They are the conduit for developing a sense of self, relating to others, and learning about the world. Through mentoring relationships, youth transform how they see themselves and others.
Running Forward
Young people in this running program train for a variety of races throughout the year but it isn’t just a running program, while it focuses on the physical and emotional benefits of running, it is also a space to grow in character and self-confidence. Together, they set goals and hold one another accountable to face challenges and achieve success.
Summer Camp
New Life Centers’ educational after-school and summer programs serve the children and families of Little Village and Humboldt Park. Many children in the neighborhood encounter language barriers, gang pressure and a poor educational system. We provide a safe place for students to learn and grow holistically, where confidence is developed and the opportunity for success is nurtured. The students participate in a variety of activities such as sports, cooking classes, homework assistance, Bible lessons, and more.
The Vine
The Vine was the brainchild of the children of Humboldt Park. When the original computer lab launched in 2006, it soon began overflowing with children looking for a safe after-school space. Their mantra: What are we going to do in the summer? The Vine was our answer, and it has grown in popularity among both children and parents since that time.
Urban Life Skills
A violence prevention comprehensive model based on key components: mentoring, gang intervention, job readiness training, GED classes, court advocacy, social activities and family support. The New Life Centers team responds to incidences of violence by providing gang mediation and family support to avoid further acts of violence.