The Prosper Youth and Community Center at United Yards, located at the corner of 47th and Ashland in Back of the Yards, will serve as a vital gathering space for youth and the broader community. Its mission is to create safe, enriching opportunities that promote long-term health and prosperity. The Center will extend benefits beyond traditional classroom activities by offering new programs and services within a secure, staffed environment. It will also strengthen existing programs by increasing their capacity, acting as a central hub that brings together organizations already engaged in youth work while expanding opportunities based on ongoing input from youth and families.

We recognize the urgent need for this space through deep community engagement. Our work with local youth, families, and educators, along with our roots in the neighborhood, makes it clear that the absence of a safe, dedicated space for youth to gather, focus on their interests, and develop socially and emotionally is a significant issue. Back of the Yards has approximately 15,000 residents aged 0-21, and the Prosper Center will directly respond to the needs they have voiced — for safe spaces, community support, and growth opportunities.

The Center’s programs will be diverse and respond to community priorities. They include dance, intramural sports, physical education, music, leadership workshops, life skills development, nutrition and cooking, mental health services, graphic and studio arts, technology training, and job readiness programs. As the project evolves, the Center will adopt a responsive learning approach, ensuring youth have a voice in shaping its offerings and ongoing development. Moreover, the Center will actively promote family engagement, recognizing the importance of involving caregivers in youth development.

The Prosper Center’s strategic location within the United Yards revitalization project provides it with a strong foundation for success. While situated in Back of the Yards, the Center will also serve neighboring communities, such as Englewood and McKinley Park, creating a regional impact. The grant funding will enable the immediate launch of the program, maximizing the quick delivery of community benefits.

The Center will comprise three interconnected buildings, each supporting different aspects of community development:

• Rainbow Youth Center: Housed in the historic 30,000-square-foot Depositors Bank building, known as the Rainbow Building, which will soon be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This building will serve as a hub for youth and family gatherings, performances, rehearsals, and meetings. It will feature treatment spaces and a rooftop garden, blending historic preservation with modern community use.
• Opportunity Hub: Situated at W47th and Justine, this 3,500-square-foot facility will focus on technology and workforce development, fostering entrepreneurship and skills training for communities of color through partnerships with local tech industry leaders.
• Ashland Homes: This building will provide affordable housing for vulnerable residents who are most at risk of displacement. Its development responds to community demand, replacing long-standing blight, including a liquor store and an almost-vacant hotel, with safe, stable housing options that promote long-term community stability.

Together, these facilities will create a comprehensive, multi-purpose space that supports youth, families, and the neighborhood’s ongoing revitalization, promoting stability, opportunity, and community resilience.

BronzeWell is a $29.8 million adaptive-reuse project transforming the historic Hales Franciscan Campus into a 14,000-square-foot eco-sustainable community hub in Bronzeville. Led by community change agents Anita Andrews Hutchinson and Nakisha Hobbs of It Takes A Village Family of Schools (ITAV), developed by Jasmine Michaels of the regenerative development firm OASES, and designed by renowned architect Germane Barnes, BronzeWell reclaims a long-vacant landmark to serve as a center for healing, innovation, and intergenerational growth.

Situated on 4.7 acres of ITAV’s 8.1-acre publicly accessible property, adjacent to the VLA K-8 Campus, BronzeWell features a full athletic field and expansive indoor and outdoor amenities. It exemplifies Equitable Transit-Oriented Development, positioned at the intersection of Cottage Grove and Langley, just steps from the CTA Green Line and major bus routes. This design-forward hub aims to empower the surrounding South Side communities—including Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, and Washington Park—home to over 46,000 residents, with 31% under 18 and over 80% identifying as Black.

BronzeWell stands as a beacon of restoration, building upon a legacy of resilience, creativity, and community-driven growth amid persistent disinvestment. The area faces urgent challenges: over 40% of families with children live below the poverty line (Census Bureau, 2020), and residents face barriers like economic hardship, violence exposure, and limited access to safe, developmental spaces. BronzeWell addresses these issues through trauma-informed, culturally aware, holistic programs that honor Bronzeville’s creative spirit and serve its full community lifecycle, including youth, families, entrepreneurs, and aspiring changemakers. Guided by evidence-based models like OASES’ E.S.T.U.A.R.I.I. sanctuary development framework, ITAV’s 21 years of impact, and community feedback from over 100 residents, BronzeWell’s programming is organized into 10 Core Pillars of Wealth and Wellbeing:

Wealth

• Financial Literacy

• Entrepreneurship

• Workforce Development

• Homeownership

• Community Economic Empowerment

Wellbeing

• Youth Mental Health and Wellness
• Movement and Athletics
• Multigenerational Gathering and Creative Expression
• Eco-Sustainability and Nature
• Violence Prevention

Through strategic partnerships with organizations such as UI Mile Square, UTA, Chicago Scholars, and Chicago Urban League, BronzeWell will run over 46 initiatives within these pillars. The center will serve more than 72,000 people annually, with 70% of the population under the age of 25, 50% under 18, and 80% identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).

Key spaces include a Parent-Family Center, Café and Training Kitchen, Wellness Nexus, Entrepreneurial and Tech Hub, Access Art and Dance Studio, and outdoor areas such as a Giving Garden, track and field facilities, a bike library, and a food truck plaza. Each space is designed to create a comprehensive resource for Bronzeville residents of all ages, fostering community pride, health, education, and economic opportunity.

Scheduled to launch by June 2028 and supported by leaders including Alderman Robinson and Deputy Mayor Merritt, BronzeWell is a national model of regenerative, place-based transformation—built by Bronzeville, for Bronzeville—redefining community development with sustainability, culture, and resilience at its core.

Erie Neighborhood House is launching its Floreciendo project to establish the La Villita Erie House Center—a new, intergenerational, youth-focused space serving families in Chicago’s Little Village. Rooted in community voices, the Center will be a vibrant, culturally affirming place that promotes healing, opportunity, and belonging, responding to long-standing needs and aspirations of residents.

The name Floreciendo, meaning blooming or growing, reflects its mission to support community growth. This project directly addresses priorities identified in the Little Village Quality of Life Plan, the Mi Chi, Mi Futuro participatory youth research project, and Erie House’s extensive community engagement. Residents consistently emphasized the importance of immigration legal support, violence prevention, mental health care, youth enrichment, job training, and basic resources such as food, housing, internet access, and childcare. They also emphasized the importance of a safe and welcoming environment that respects their culture, language, and traditions.

Erie Neighborhood House has served immigrant and working-class communities in Chicago for over 150 years. With deep roots and a trusted presence in Little Village, Erie House is known for delivering culturally responsive, holistic care. As an Illinois Welcoming Center and the only HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency in the neighborhood, Erie House offers capacity and credibility to meet community needs with dignity and respect.

The 22,000-square-foot, five-story Erie House Center will include a full-size gymnasium, flexible classrooms, an arts studio, private counseling and therapy offices, teen and tech lounges, a community kitchen, outdoor green spaces, a rooftop playground, and children’s gardens. Each space has been shaped by community input to ensure safety, accessibility, and a reflection of neighborhood identity.

Serving more than 7,000 people annually, the Center will act as a vital anchor, supporting families from local schools and across the broader community. Beyond its programming, the Center will create jobs and expand workforce access through equitable construction practices and community-based hiring. This emphasizes Erie House’s commitment to economic justice and local empowerment, ensuring that community growth benefits residents directly.

The Erie House La Villita Center will be a place where families can access vital services, develop skills, and forge connections rooted in culture and community strength. It aims to foster resilience, promote mental health, provide educational opportunities, and support economic mobility, all within an environment that celebrates the rich identity of Little Village.

By creating a space built from community voices and designed for inclusivity, Erie Neighborhood House’s Floreciendo project envisions a future where residents have the resources and support they need to thrive. It represents more than infrastructure—it’s a step toward empowering families, honoring culture, and nurturing a resilient, connected neighborhood where everyone can flourish.

The One Lawndale Recreation Center is more than just a building—it’s a powerful statement about possibility, community, and transformation. It affirms what can happen when neighborhoods are seen, heard, and trusted to lead their change. Rooted in the values of equity, faith, and dignity, the Center will be a space for play and a platform for growth—for North Lawndale, Little Village, and the future.

Developed by Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (LCDC), a pillar in North Lawndale for nearly 40 years, the Center is a bold, community-driven initiative. Spanning 120,000 square feet, it will fill a long-standing gap in year-round recreational infrastructure and serve as a visible bridge connecting North Lawndale and Little Village, two vibrant neighborhoods with shared histories and needs.

The Center will be Chicago’s first of its kind on the West Side: a comprehensive recreational sports complex with six multi-use courts for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball; two indoor turf fields adaptable for soccer, football, and baseball; a boxing gym; a wrestling room; and a full-service fitness center. In addition to sports, the Center will feature a flexible event space for community gatherings, celebrations, and programming, making it a hub for connection and shared joy.

Murals throughout the facility will reflect local pride and inspire youth, drawn from the voices of those who live and breathe the community. For example, one youth shared, “It would be powerful to see people who look like us on the walls, doing great things.” These murals will serve as a visual representation of cultural roots, youth empowerment, and collective achievement.

Concessions will be designed for gathering and comfort, reflecting the diverse heritage of North Lawndale and Little Village. Local favorites such as Soul Food Lounge, Lou Malnati’s, and neighborhood taquerías will serve not just meals, but moments of connection. The space will also include a dedicated lounge for parents and spectators, with nearly 100 parking spaces, and easy transit access via two CTA Pink Line stations and major bus routes—fully ADA-compliant for accessibility.

Both North Lawndale and Little Village are home to tens of thousands of young people, yet neither neighborhood has a dedicated indoor recreational facility. In North Lawndale, over 26% of residents are under 18, with youth unemployment exceeding 48%. Little Village, with over 71,000 residents, has one of the city’s youngest populations. Despite these needs, local schools and community spaces lack suitable facilities for consistent, year-round programming.

The Center’s programs will be delivered by trusted community partners like A Ray of Hope on Earth (AROHOE), Chicago Prep Sports Academy, Enlace Chicago, Boxing Out Negativity, New Life Centers, Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts, Beat the Streets Chicago, and Lawndale Christian Health Center. These organizations will activate the flexible spaces with sports leagues, mentoring programs, arts initiatives, and engagement rooted in trust and lived experience.

Part of LCDC’s $53 million capital campaign, the Center is a key element alongside a new trade school and the 1600 Lawndale Business Hub. Together, these projects create an ecosystem of opportunity, revitalizing the neighborhood and fostering a community where everyone can thrive.

More than a building, the Center is a co-created space where community practitioners are transitioning from surviving to thriving together. It’s a bold declaration that West Side communities deserve the best places to grow, lead, and belong. One Lawndale isn’t just a destination; it’s a new beginning rooted in collaboration, movement, and the power to reimagine what’s possible for generations to come.

Marillac St. Vincent (MSV) is transforming the vacant site of the former John Calhoun Elementary School at 2833 W. Adams in East Garfield Park into a vibrant Community Hub. This new facility will dedicate youth spaces on the second floor and serve over 500 young people annually, providing a safe and supportive environment for leadership development, civic engagement, and community building.

The building has been unused and in disrepair since its closure by Chicago Public Schools in 2013. In 2024, MSV successfully secured its first bid to acquire the property, allowing it to develop a comprehensive community resource. The site comprises approximately 75,000 square feet of indoor space and outdoor areas, offering ample space for programs, recreation, and community events. MSV is establishing partnerships with youth organizations such as The Bloc Chicago, A Step Ahead Chess, and Peace Runners 773, which will help develop programming aligned with youth development goals. Early discussions are underway with Wintrust Bank to support financial literacy initiatives and with healthcare providers to offer onsite community health services, emphasizing a holistic approach.

The Community Hub will expand MSV’s reach into the neighborhoods surrounding W. Jackson and S. Francisco, complementing existing programs at the nearby Marillac Social Center and Foglia Family & Youth Center. The site benefits from shared amenities, including parking and access to nearby schools and organizations like UCAN, LEARN Charter School, BandWith, and Deborah’s Place, creating a collaborative network dedicated to community well-being.

The primary goal of the Hub is to empower youth as future civic leaders through engaging, targeted programming. Research confirms that adolescence is a critical period for civic participation, resulting in higher life satisfaction, improved educational outcomes, and a reduced likelihood of arrest in early adulthood (Chan, 2014). MSV’s approach focuses on meeting youth where they are, involving families, and ensuring equitable access to resources without stigma. Addressing the ongoing impacts of structural racism, the pandemic, and economic disparities, the Hub aims to combat rising mental health challenges, homelessness, food insecurity, and educational disengagement affecting youth on Chicago’s West Side.

The Hub’s model promotes social-emotional learning, education, and economic mobility to build resilience and capacity among Black and BIPOC youth. It actively works to strengthen the community ecosystem by incubating and supporting local organizations through shared frameworks, data exchange, and collective learning. This collaborative approach maximizes impact and ensures continuous program improvement.

Features include a 250-seat auditorium and a regulation basketball court, designed for community use, youth sports, and events. These flexible spaces will host peer gatherings, league play, and community celebrations. The second-floor youth-centered space provides a safe environment for leadership development, peer connection, and creative expression.

MSV will coordinate year-round programming that offers nutritious meals, academic support, social-emotional enrichment, arts, sports, leadership development, and technology activities. Full-time Youth Advocates will serve as case managers, maintaining caseloads of about 30 youth, building trusted relationships, and connecting families to resources. A Youth Development Specialist will oversee daily operations, extracurricular collaborations, and mentorship, ensuring youth engagement and growth.

The Hub will adopt a two-generation approach, actively involving caregivers in family support programs designed to disrupt cycles of poverty and systemic disinvestment. By providing access to essentials, workforce training, and financial empowerment, MSV seeks to foster family stability and community resilience.

Overall, the Community Hub aims to create a lasting, positive impact by nurturing young leaders, strengthening families, and transforming East Garfield Park into a hub of opportunity and growth.

Established in 2002, Phalanx Family Services has been a dedicated advocate for youth and families on the West Pullman and Far South Side of Chicago. Our mission is to help economically disadvantaged youth and families achieve self-sufficiency via employment-focused programs, mentoring, advocacy, and workforce development. The GJS Youth Community Center embodies our vision to expand our Youth Department by transforming the historic Engine Company 115 firehouse at 11940 S. Peoria into a dynamic community hub, with an estimated total project cost of approximately $5.49 million.

This initiative is a direct response to extensive community input and aligns with both the Far South Chicago Quality of Life Plan and the City of Chicago’s broader revitalization efforts. Community members, local leaders, and organizations have overwhelmingly voiced support, recognizing the project’s potential to ignite neighborhood renewal. Our programming will be guided by a Youth Advisory Council alongside ongoing partnerships with local organizations and stakeholders, ensuring that offerings remain relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of West Pullman, as well as adjacent neighborhoods like Roseland and Morgan Park. This collaborative approach will help foster programs that nurture talent, resilience, and community pride, creating a space for youth and families to thrive.

The GJS Youth Community Center will offer a diverse range of innovative programs designed to address the systemic barriers faced by the community’s youth and families. Amenities include a Mental Health Wellness Space with counseling rooms, meditation zones, and yoga areas—designed to support emotional well-being and stress management. There will also be Youth Group Meeting spaces dedicated to mentoring, leadership development, and civic engagement activities. Training rooms will focus on job readiness, digital skills, nursing, drone operation, and podcasting—preparing youth for future careers in high-growth industries. Additionally, a STEM Lab (Phab Lab) will offer 3D printing, laser cutting, and hands-on innovation opportunities to inspire creativity and technical skills among young learners.

Other flexible spaces include a Commercial Kitchen for culinary arts training, a Recreation Lounge designed for activities such as video games, open mic events, and film screenings, and an Outdoor Activity Zone featuring a basketball court and horticultural zones that promote outdoor engagement, community gardening, and green space development. The center’s design emphasizes accessibility, community involvement, and opportunities for intergenerational collaboration, ensuring that residents of all ages can benefit from and contribute to the space.

The impact of the GJS Youth Community Center will extend well beyond the youth directly engaged in its programs. It is envisioned as a catalyst for neighborhood renewal—breathing fresh life into the area, fostering community pride, and building a culture of wellness, creativity, and shared growth. By providing engaging programming and opportunities for meaningful connections, the center will serve as a hub for strengthening intergenerational ties and encouraging active civic participation.

Construction on the center is scheduled to begin in Q1 2026, with an anticipated opening in Fall 2026. Upon completion, the GJS Youth Community Center will stand as a powerful symbol of West Pullman’s resilience and a beacon of opportunity for current and future generations. It will make a significant contribution to the ongoing revitalization of Chicago’s Far South Side, helping to create thriving, vibrant communities where youth and families can thrive and flourish.

The Blue Azul Center, powered by Think B.L.U.E. (Better Living Utilizing Education & Exercise) Foundation, will be a new construction community hub in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood. Its primary focus is on mental health, education, fitness, and sports. The center aims to create a safe space where residents can heal, grow, learn, and play, thereby positively impacting their health, recreational opportunities, and overall quality of life. Blue Azul’s amenities align with Auburn Gresham’s Quality of Life Plan, strengthen the local corridor, and support ongoing community development initiatives, providing access to vital services, activities, and resources.

The vision outlined in Auburn Gresham’s Quality of Life Plan emphasizes supporting youth, families, and seniors in living enriched, high-quality lives by providing essential needs within a holistic and vibrant community setting. The Blue Azul Center will address several key priorities from the plan, including education and youth development, economic growth, health and wellness, public safety, and senior health. Its mission also aligns with the City of Chicago’s People’s Plan for Community Safety, working together to remedy historic disinvestment, heal communities, and foster a stronger, safer Chicago.

The center will offer a diverse range of programs and services designed to empower individuals from youth to seniors. Facilities will include a mental health clinic, educational and sports programs, a fitness center, a commercial kitchen and lounge, rental spaces, a multi-purpose room for meetings and recreation, a full basketball court, an indoor courtyard, and outdoor recreational and seating areas. This comprehensive setup aims to serve the diverse needs of the community, fostering engagement and well-being across generations.

Located in the Blue Azul Center, Dr. Valentina LLC, an established mental health practice, will offer services including psychological therapy, neuropsychological testing, training for master’s and Doctoral-level students, professional development programs, and mental health workshops. This underscores the center’s commitment to accessible, quality mental health care within the community.

A key focus of Blue Azul’s programming will be addressing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). ACEs—such as maternal depression, abuse, divorce, incarceration, and community violence—are significant contributors to long-term disease, disability, and socioeconomic challenges. Preventing ACEs through targeted programs can reduce chronic health conditions and social disparities. The center’s initiatives will include psychological therapy, stress management training for adults and youth, promoting social norms that prevent violence, and connecting individuals to caring mentors and community activities. Through these efforts, Blue Azul aims to foster resilience, healing, and stronger community bonds, ultimately supporting healthier, more empowered residents for generations to come.