TBCC Q1 FY26 Impact Newsletter: The Pivot to Action (July–September 2025)
- truebelieversoutre
- Jan 30
- 5 min read
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, and where we're headed next. Let's get into it.
A Word from Dr. Carol
From Dr. Carol Y. Collum, Founder & Chief Systems Architect
"Y'all, this quarter tested us. It stretched us. And it showed us exactly what we're made of.
When I talk about being a 'systems architect,' I mean we're not here to put band-aids on broken systems. We're here to redesign them: with the people those systems have failed sitting at the drafting table.
This summer, I watched our young people step into leadership roles that would intimidate most adults. I watched parents find their voice in committee meetings. I watched communities that have been overlooked for decades say, 'Not anymore. We're driving this.'
That's the pivot. That's the action. And that's exactly why True Believers exists.
We're not waiting for permission. We're building what our communities deserve: right now."
: Dr. Carol
--- Page 1 --- True Believers Community Connections | 459 W. 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60620 (773) 966-5651 | info@truebelieverscc.org | www.truebelieverscc.org
The Pivot to Action: What Q1 Looked Like
Let's be real: a lot of organizations talk about community-centered work. We live it. Our Architectural Brand Directive keeps us grounded in two non-negotiables: vision-first and human-centered. Every program, every meeting, every decision starts with the question: Does this serve the people we're here for?
Here's how that played out across our Big 7 neighborhoods this quarter.
Big 7 Neighborhood Wins (July–September 2025)
While our Area Project Board (APB) focused on the high-level strategy and systems architecture that keep us growing, our neighborhood-specific Community Committees (CC) and Youth Committees (YC) were making major moves on the ground. Here’s a snapshot of the collective momentum:
Strategic Oversight: Area Project Board (APB)
A partnership was secured with local faith organizations for expanded meeting space.
A comprehensive community boundary and service area analysis was completed to better align our impact.
Ashburn
Launched new parent engagement series with 12 families enrolled in the first cohort
Youth Committee hosted back-to-school resource drive serving 75+ students
Auburn Gresham
Community Committee completed neighborhood asset mapping project
Three new mentors onboarded through our Mentors Matter initiative
Chatham
Youth-led financial literacy workshop series kicked off in August
Englewood
Hosted StayL.I.T.™ Summer Intensive with a powerhouse cohort of local youth completing the program
Greater Grand Crossing
Youth Committee presented data project on CPS facilities and bike lane access (see image above!)
New Earn-While-You-Learn Chicago cohort launched with a dedicated group of future leaders participants
Washington Heights
Residential access to parks research project completed by youth researchers
Parenting Support Group expanded to bi-weekly sessions
West Englewood
Youth Committee led neighborhood safety audit: results informing Q2 programming
Bottom line: Our Big 7 communities aren't waiting for change. They're creating it. And our job is to provide the scaffolding: the training, the resources, the support: so they can keep building.
--- Page 2 --- True Believers Community Connections | 459 W. 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60620 (773) 966-5651 | info@truebelieverscc.org | www.truebelieverscc.org
The TBCC Action Index: Measuring Momentum
We aren't just sitting in seats; we’re moving the needle. In Q1, we transitioned our focus from measuring time spent to measuring the actual movement of our people. The Action Index tracks the tangible wins that show the "Pivot to Action" is working.
In Q1, we saw a significant surge in momentum across our Action Index. From first-draft resumes and new career portfolios to the attainment of industry-recognized certificates, our participants are proving that preparation meets opportunity. We’ve also successfully filled critical leadership roles within our Youth and Community Committees and built several vital "bridges"—direct resource connections that are already changing lives.
Youth-Led Audits: Young People Driving the Data
This quarter, we piloted youth-led audits across several Big 7 communities. The idea is simple but powerful: young people are the experts on their own neighborhoods. So we trained them to collect data, analyze it, and present recommendations to decision-makers.
Our youth auditors didn’t just collect data—they uncovered truths. Covering neighborhoods like West Englewood and Greater Grand Crossing, these young researchers identified critical safety concerns and resource gaps while also highlighting hidden community assets. Their findings are already being baked into our Q2 strategy, ensuring our programming remains directly responsive to the people on the ground. As one youth auditor put it: "Seeing the numbers match what we see on the block every day makes us feel heard."
Real talk: Watching a 16-year-old present data to a room full of adults and hold their attention? That's the future we're building. That's Paid Youth Training South Side in action.
--- Page 3 --- True Believers Community Connections | 459 W. 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60620 (773) 966-5651 | info@truebelieverscc.org | www.truebelieverscc.org
StayL.I.T.™ Spotlight: Living In Truth
Our StayL.I.T.™ (Living In Truth) framework continues to anchor everything we do. It's not just a slogan: it's a mindset. It's about showing up authentically, speaking truth, and taking action even when it's hard.
Q1 StayL.I.T.™ Highlights:
Summer Intensive: Multi-week program combining workforce development, leadership training, and community engagement
Earn-While-You-Learn Chicago: Participants gained real work experience while building skills for the future
Mentors Matter: Expanded mentor network with new volunteers across all Big 7 communities
Youth Voices: Young people featured in community presentations, committee meetings, and public events
The StayL.I.T.™ movement is growing. And if you're ready to get involved, we've got a spot for you. #StayLIT
What's Next: Q2 Preview
We're not slowing down. Here’s what’s on deck for October through December 2025:
October 2025
November 2025
December 2025
Check out our events calendar for dates and details.
Get Involved: Your Turn to Pivot
Here's the thing: this work doesn't happen without you. Whether you're a parent looking for support, a young person ready to lead, or a community member who wants to make a difference: there's a place for you at True Believers Community Connections.
Ready to take action?
DM us STAYLIT to learn about youth programs
The Takeaway
Q1 FY26 was proof that when you put communities in the driver's seat, real change happens. From youth-led audits in West Englewood to parent engagement in Ashburn, from the Action Index to the StayL.I.T.™ mindset: we're seeing the pivot to action play out in real time.
This isn't about us. It's about Ashburn, Auburn Gresham, Chatham, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, Washington Heights, and West Englewood. It's about the young people who are stepping up, the families who are showing up, and the mentors who keep showing that Mentors Matter.
We're just getting started. And we're grateful you're part of this journey.
Stay L.I.T. Stay connected. Stay in action.
( The TBCC Team)
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