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 keep it real: 2025 closed out strong. Across Englewood, West Englewood, Ashburn, Greater Grand Crossing, Chatham, Auburn Gresham, and Washington Heights, True Believers Community Connections saw record participation in our youth programs, workforce development sessions, and community giveaways.

Here's what the numbers looked like:

• 200+ youth enrolled in StayL.I.T. youth leadership development programs

• 85% completion rate in our Earn-While-You-Learn Chicago workforce training cohort

• 1,500+ families served through community giveaways and resource fairs

• 12 new community partnerships formed with local businesses and organizations

These aren't just statistics. They're stories. They're the young person in Greater Grand Crossing who landed their first paid internship. They're the single mom in Ashburn who connected with our Parenting Support Group and found her village. They're the teens in Chatham rocking their StayL.I.T. hoodies while leading community clean-ups.

Dr. Carol put it best at our last Community Committee meeting:

That’s Dr. Carol—Founder & Chief Systems Architect and Midwest-Regional Standard Bearer—putting backbone to the mission.

That's the True Believers way. We don't just talk community. We build it.

Spotlight: Youth Development That Actually Works

One of our biggest wins this past quarter? Our youth programs are hitting different.

Our Paid Youth Training South Side initiative connected young people ages 16-24 with real job skills, real mentors, and real paychecks. No fluff. No empty promises. Just opportunity meeting preparation.

Participants in our workforce development program didn't just learn resume writing, they practiced interviewing with actual employers. They didn't just hear about professional communication, they lived it in team projects and community service hours.

And the results speak for themselves.

One participant from Englewood shared:

That's what StayL.I.T. (Living in Truth) looks like in action. When young people see themselves as capable, valued, and worthy of investment, they rise. Every. Single. Time.

What's Cooking for Next Quarter

Alright, let's talk about what's ahead. Because we're not slowing down: we're leveling up.

Leadership Workshops: Building Tomorrow's Bridge Builders

This quarter, we're launching an expanded leadership workshop series specifically designed for emerging community leaders across Chicago’s South Side. These aren't your typical sit-and-listen seminars. Think hands-on, interactive sessions where you'll learn:

• Conflict resolution strategies that actually work in real-world scenarios

• Project management basics for launching community initiatives

• Public speaking skills to amplify your voice and your message

• Networking techniques to build meaningful connections

Whether you're 17 or 47, if you've got a passion for making your neighborhood better, these workshops are for you. We're accepting applications now for our spring cohort.

Workforce Training: Earn While You Learn

Our Earn-While-You-Learn Chicago program is back and bigger than ever. This quarter's focus areas include:

• Digital literacy and tech skills for the modern workforce

• Customer service certification with partner employers

• Financial literacy workshops because getting the bag is only half the battle: keeping and growing it matters too

• Job placement support with local businesses committed to hiring from our communities

We're partnering with employers across Chicago’s South Side who understand that talent doesn't have a zip code. If you're ready to work, we're ready to invest in you.

Community Events: Mark Your Calendars

Here's a quick look at what's coming up (dates Coming Soon):

• TBCC Community Giveaway – Resources, connections, and good vibes. Dates/locations are Coming Soon—check our events page for the latest updates.

• Parenting Support Group – Weekly connection and growth for parents across our Big 7 neighborhoods. New session details are Coming Soon—check our events page.

• Girl Code Collective – Young women’s empowerment sessions on goal-setting, self-care, and leadership. Next dates are Coming Soon—check our events page.

• TBCC Orientation – New to our community? The next orientation date is Coming Soon—check our events page to stay locked in.

Every event is free. Every event is open. Because community shouldn't cost you.

Why This Matters Now

Look, we know the headlines about Chicago’s South Side aren't always kind. We know the narratives that get pushed about neighborhoods like Englewood, Auburn Gresham, and Greater Grand Crossing.

But here's what those headlines miss: the resilience, the creativity, the love, and the determination that define these communities.

True Believers Community Connections exists to amplify that truth. We're not here to save anyone: we're here to walk alongside people who are already doing the work of transforming their own lives and neighborhoods. We're just providing tools, resources, and a whole lot of encouragement.

As the 2026 Community Trends Report highlights, communities are increasingly recognized as "powerful growth engines emphasizing human connection and intentional, customized approaches." That's exactly what we've been building for years.

This isn't generic programming. This is hyper-local, StayL.I.T.-driven, Pivot to Action investment in people who've been overlooked for too long.

Your Invitation to Get Involved

So here's the question: what role do you want to play?

Maybe you're a young person looking for mentorship and job training. Maybe you're a parent searching for your people. Maybe you're a professional with skills to share. Maybe you're a business owner ready to hire from your own community.

Whatever your story, there's a place for you at TBCC.

Here's how you can take the next step:

• Join a program – Visit truebelieverscc.org to explore our current offerings and sign up.

• Attend an event – Check our events calendar and show up. Simple as that.

• Rep the movement – Grab a Stay L.I.T. hoodie and wear your values.

• Spread the word – Share this post, tag a friend, tell your neighbor. Word of mouth builds movements.

The Bottom Line

The wins we celebrated this past quarter didn't happen by accident. They happened because people showed up. They happened because communities came together. They happened because True Believers Community Connections keeps doing what we've always done: investing in Chicago’s South Side with everything we've got.

And what's next? More of the same: but amplified. More leadership workshops. More workforce training. More community events. More opportunities for young people in Englewood, West Englewood, Ashburn, Greater Grand Crossing, Chatham, Auburn Gresham, and Washington Heights to discover their potential and pursue their purpose.

This is what it means to StayL.I.T.: Living in Truth, walking in purpose, and building something that lasts.

We're not waiting for someone else to transform our neighborhoods. We're doing it ourselves, together, one person at a time.

See you out there.