Blog

Community updates, youth voice, and TBCC impact stories.

Feb 17, 2026 4 min read

TBCC Q2 FY26 Impact Newsletter: Stay L.I.T. Edition (October–December 2025)

We closed out 2025 the only way True Believers Community Connections knows how, showing up, staying consistent, and building infrastructure that lasts. From October through December, we served 1,294 young people across Chicago's South Side through our StayL.I.T. (Living in Truth) , TBCC Blueprint Model. That brings our FY26 total to 2,608 youth served so far. And we're just getting started. This isn't about pop-up programming or quick fixes. This is about permanent systems, permanent...

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Feb 17, 2026 1 min read

TBCC 2025 Year-at-a-Glance Milestones

![HERO] TBCC 2025 Year-at-a-Glance Milestones]( https://cdn.marblism.com/igoYIqlhJYB.webp ) [NEEDED: exact body content from prior FAILED post 53dcbc23-254c-4e97-b99d-7f52a1ff49fa — “TBCC 2025 Year-at-a-Glance Milestones”. Not available in current context to paste verbatim while preserving headings, bullets, page breaks, images, links, and accreditation section exactly.] Dr. Carol Y. Collum Founder & Chief Systems Architect Midwest-Regional Standard Bearer. Midwest-Regional Standard Bearer

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Feb 17, 2026 5 min read

Community Wins & What's Next Teasers

We see you, South Side. The energy across our Big 7 neighborhoods has been nothing short of electric. From Englewood to Washington Heights, Auburn Gresham to Chatham, our communities have been showing up and showing out. And honestly? We're just getting started. This isn't just a recap. It's a celebration, and a sneak peek at what's coming next. So grab your coffee, settle in, and let's talk about the wins we've been stacking and the moves we're about to make. The Big 7 Came Through Let's...

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Feb 17, 2026 5 min read

Local Talent, Local Jobs: Tech Pathways for Youth Across Chicago's Big 7 (Powered by STAYLIT™)

Your neighborhood is changing. And you should be leading it. Right now, tech companies are expanding across Chicago's South Side. They need people who understand data, digital tools, customer service tech, content creation, and basic IT support. Not in five years. Not after you leave the community. Right now. At True Believers Community Connections (TBCC), we're making sure Chicago’s South Side youth are first in line for those opportunities: not through shortcuts, but through real...

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Jan 31, 2026 7 min read

Washington Heights, Chicago: Q2 Momentum, Youth Voice, and What’s Next

Real talk: Washington Heights has been a place where community connections really matter—and in Q2 , we saw that in action. Here’s what moved in a real way: Committee momentum on workforce development outreach —and it showed up in real numbers: 70 new job resources added and 400+ job seekers engaged at regional job fairs. A successful neighborhood survey that helped shape our 2026 programming (because we don’t guess—we ask). Youth volunteer support for holiday events , showing up with...

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Jan 30, 2026 5 min read

25 Creative Ways to Empower Youth: Focusing on storytelling and leadership in Chicago.

When we talk about empowering youth in Chicago, we're not just talking about programs. We're talking about transformation. About giving young people: especially those who've been overlooked, underestimated, or written off: the tools to write their own stories. This is about Youth Voices and Chicago’s Next Gen leading the way: not someday, but right now. At True Believers Community Connections, we've learned something powerful over the years: creativity unlocks potential in ways traditional...

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Jan 30, 2026 5 min read

TBCC Q1 FY26 Impact Newsletter: The Pivot to Action (July–September 2025)

We're not just talking about change anymore. We're building it: block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, young person by young person. Q1 of FY26 (July through September 2025) was all about one thing: the pivot to action . At True Believers Community Connections, we spent this quarter moving from vision boards to visible results. And honestly? The energy across our Big 7 communities has been nothing short of electric. This newsletter is your inside look at what went down, who showed up,...

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Jan 29, 2026 6 min read

Greater Grand Crossing: Building the Bridge to Success

There's something special happening in Greater Grand Crossing. If you've driven down 75th Street lately or walked past the historic corners where jazz legends once played, you might feel it too: a shift. A momentum. A community ready to write its next chapter. At True Believers Community Connections, we don't just observe that energy. We plug into it, amplify it, and help turn it into real opportunities for the young people who call this neighborhood home. Welcome to the Greater Grand...

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Jan 29, 2026 5 min read

The Parent's Guide to Youth Workforce Programs in Southside Chicago

Let's be real, raising a teenager on Chicago's South Side comes with its own set of challenges. You want to see your child succeed, build skills, and step into adulthood with confidence. But with so many programs out there claiming to help young people, how do you know which ones actually deliver? That's exactly why we put together this guide. Whether your teen is 14 and looking for their first summer gig or 20 and trying to figure out their next move, understanding Southside Chicago youth...

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Jan 27, 2026 5 min read

Summer Programs vs. Year-Round Support: Why long-term relationships beat short-term fixes for a teen's future.

Let me ask you something real. On the South Side, we know resilience isn’t a quote on a wall—it’s how you get up, regroup, and keep going when life keeps coming. Think about the people who changed your life. The ones who believed in you when you didn't believe in yourself. Were they around for just eight weeks? Or did they show up consistently, season after season, year after year? If you're like most of us, the answer is obvious. Yet here we are in 2026, and so many Southside Chicago youth...

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Jan 23, 2026 6 min read

Earn-While-You-Learn on Chicago’s South Side: Equity Advocacy That Helps Close the Gap

Let's be real for a second. When we talk about empowering young people on Chicago’s South Side, we can’t just hand them a certificate and wish them luck. That’s not how transformation happens. Real change comes when we put real resources— including real money —into the hands of young people while they’re learning the skills that will carry them forward. That’s what earn-while-you-learn training is all about. And at True Believers Community Connections (TBCC), we’ve seen firsthand how this...

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Jan 22, 2026 5 min read

How to Build Your Teen's Financial Literacy in 5 Steps (A Guide for Chicago Families)

Let's be real: talking about money with your teen can feel awkward. Maybe you didn't have anyone teach you about finances growing up, or maybe you're still figuring it out yourself. That's okay. The good news? You don't need to be a financial expert to help your teen build the skills they need to manage money wisely. Here in Chicago, especially on the South Side, we know that financial literacy isn't just about balancing a checkbook. It's about empowering youth to make smart decisions, build...

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Oct 27, 2025 5 min read

Community Connections for Youth Explained in Under 3 Minutes: What Every Southside Chicago Family Should Know

If you're a parent or caregiver on Chicago's Southside, you've probably wondered where to turn when your teen needs extra support. Maybe...

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Oct 26, 2025 5 min read

How to Choose the Best Supportive Services in Chicago: Underserved Youth Programs That Actually Work

Finding the right supportive services for your teenager can feel overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with high-risk situations...

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Oct 25, 2025 5 min read

Looking for Youth Development Support? 10 Things Every Chicago Family Should Know About Community Programs

When you're a Chicago parent trying to find the right support for your child, the options can feel overwhelming. With dozens of...

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Oct 24, 2025 4 min read

The Proven Framework for Empowering Youth in Chicago: Why Peer-Led Training Programs Beat Traditional Approaches

Here's something that might surprise you: when we step back and let young people lead, they don't just succeed: they absolutely soar....

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Oct 23, 2025 4 min read

Breaking the Cycle: How True Believers Tackles Today's Biggest Barrier for Underserved Youth

The numbers tell a harsh story. In Chicago, particularly on the Southside, young people face a web of interconnected challenges that can...

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Oct 22, 2025 5 min read

What Every Parent Needs to Know About Supportive Services for High-Risk Youth in Chicago

As a parent in Chicago, watching your child struggle with risky behaviors, academic challenges, or emotional difficulties can feel...

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Oct 21, 2025 4 min read

Struggling For Mental Health Support? 10 Signs Your High-Risk Youth Needs Community-Based Care Right Now

As a parent or caregiver in Chicago, watching a young person struggle with their mental health can feel overwhelming and scary. You're...

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Oct 20, 2025 5 min read

The Ultimate Guide to Empowering Youth in Chicago: Everything Families Need to Break the Cycle

Breaking generational cycles isn't just about hope: it's about action, connection, and finding the right support at the right time. If...

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Oct 19, 2025

Facing the Mental Health Crisis: How True Believers Lifts Up Southside Youth

The mental health crisis hitting young people isn

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Oct 18, 2025

Beyond Funding: The Real Crisis in Youth Programs and True Believers' Innovative Response

Everyone

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Oct 17, 2025

Funding Roadblocks: How True Believers Sustains Youth Empowerment Against the Odds

Let

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Oct 16, 2025

7 Mistakes Families Make When Accessing Chicago Youth Support Services (And How to Fix Them)

If you

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