Washington Heights, Chicago: Q2 Momentum, Youth Voice, and What’s Next
- truebelieversoutre
- 7 days ago
- 7 min read
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 pride and helping the community feel cared for and connected.
And a major shout-out to our village: 3,004 Youth Committee members keeping this work moving across the South Side.
And throughout all of it, we stayed consistent with the Pivot to Action mindset—because movement matters, but follow-through changes lives.
Here are the locked FY26 mid-year totals:
2,608 youth served(1,314 in Q1 + 1,294 in Q2)
3,004 Youth Committee members
A steady South Side presence since 2015
And yes—we’re still pushing StayL.I.T. energy: leadership, accountability, and real next steps.
Dr. Carol says it best:
“When you give a young person the chance to learn and earn at the same time, you’re not just changing their circumstances—you’re changing their trajectory.”
That’s the kind of Pivot to Action momentum we’re building in Washington Heights—quarter by quarter, with StayL.I.T. leadership at the center.
Tip Tuesday: Block-by-Block Tip (for Parents in Washington Heights)
Real talk: leadership doesn’t start at a job interview—it starts at home.
This week’s Block-by-Block Tip:Give your child one “real responsibility” that helps the whole household—and let them lead it.
Pick something small but meaningful, then hand them the wheel:
Let them plan one family meal (they choose the menu + help make the grocery list)
Put them in charge of a weekly family check-in (5–10 minutes: “What went well? What do we need this week?”)
Have them lead one “help the neighbor” moment (dropping off a card, helping carry groceries, checking in on elders)
Your part is the secret sauce: don’t just correct—coach. Ask, “What’s your plan?” and “What would you do differently next time?” That’s how confidence gets built, block by block.
Washington Heights Q1 Update: Wellness, Creativity, and Early Job Connections
Q1 in Washington Heights was a strong start—and very StayL.I.T.: show up, lead, and take action.
120 youth served in Washington Heights in Q1
Successful wellness walks that got young people moving, talking, and building community in real time
Mural brainstorming that brought youth voice to the table—what they want their neighborhood story to say, out loud and in color
Q1 implementation of the Civic Leadership (14–15) curriculum, equipping young residents to advocate for local policy changes and neighborhood improvements
Engagement through Wendell Smith School Parent University, connecting with families and strengthening the “parent power” behind youth progress
Recruitment of parents and youth for the 2026 Civic Leadership curriculum, so the next cohort is ready to lead with StayL.I.T. confidence
10 new job resources added to strengthen early connections to opportunities
These Q1 moves helped set the pace for the Pivot to Action energy we’re carrying forward into 2026.
Washington Heights Q2 Update: Workforce Outreach + Listening to the Neighborhood
Q2 wasn’t just “busy”—it was strategic.
Our committee kept building workforce development outreach—and added 70 new job resources to strengthen what we can connect people to.
We also engaged 400+ job seekers at regional job fairs, making sure folks didn’t just get info—they got direction.
We ran a neighborhood survey to guide 2026 programming, and it gave us clear direction on what residents want to see (and what support youth actually need to stay on track)—including a strong youth survey focus on mental health.
We also leaned into what we learned through DePaul Asset Mapping in Washington Heights—using those findings to better connect residents to local strengths and build smarter partnerships (not duplicate what’s already working).
Oct 26 Breast Cancer Awareness networking: wellness came through loud and clear. We used that space to deepen conversations about prevention, support, and how families can access resources without jumping through hoops.
November APB update: we kept the wellness walks going—and we’re advocating for deeper collaboration with local grocers to help fight food shortages and make healthy options easier to access.
And when it was time to serve, our young people showed up—supporting holiday events as volunteers, helping with set-up, distribution, and making sure families felt seen.
The engine behind this movement is real: 3,004 Youth Committee members committed to making opportunity easier to reach.
Next up: we’re building toward a future Spring Job Fair designed specifically for youth under 18—because early access changes everything.
This is how community connections turn into real outcomes—especially when youth are part of the solution.
Dr. Carol’s Vision: Education as Liberation (Right Here on the South Side)
You can’t talk about TBCC in Washington Heights—or anywhere on Chicago’s South Side—without talking about Dr. Carol, our Founder and Executive Director (and yes, the visionary educator who built this work from the ground up).
Dr. Carol didn’t create TBCC from a distance. She created it in community, rooted in faith, perseverance, and a belief that people already have what they need—sometimes they just need the right door opened and somebody steady beside them. As TBCC’s Founder & Chief Systems Architect, she’s known for building scalable, equity-driven models and partnerships that actually fit real life.
Her philosophy is simple and powerful: education is liberation.
“When you give a young person the chance to learn and earn at the same time, you’re not just changing their circumstances—you’re changing their trajectory,” Dr. Carol says. “You’re telling them their time is valuable, their potential is real, and their future matters.”
In Washington Heights, you can see that vision in motion—in the young person completing their first paid placement, in a family getting connected to supportive services, and in the relationships we’ve built over time that say, “We’re not here for a moment. We’re here for the long haul.”
Earn-While-You-Learn: Changing the Game in Washington Heights
Let’s talk about what makes TBCC different.
A lot of youth programs ask young people to show up, participate, and hope that someday it pays off. We flip that script. Our Earn-While-You-Learn Chicago model puts compensation at the center—because we know young people have bills, families, and responsibilities just like everyone else.
And if you’re wondering when to jump in, these next dates are real, concrete ways to get started—especially if you’ve been searching “youth programs near me” and you want something that connects you to training, mentors, and paid opportunities:
Mar 23–27: “Podcast Power” Spring Break Camp — Earn up to $1,000!
Mar 28: Community Giveaway
That Podcast Power week is a big deal—real skills, real confidence, and real money on the table.
When you search for “youth programs near me” on the South Side, you’ll find a lot of options. But how many actually pay? How many lead somewhere? How many stick around?
That’s where we stand out—as Bridge Builders of the South Side.
In Washington Heights, we've seen firsthand how this model transforms lives:
Young people gain confidence as they earn their own income
Families experience less financial stress
Participants build professional networks that open doors
The whole community benefits when young people succeed
This isn't charity. This is investment. And Washington Heights is worth every penny.
Community Voices: The Real Story
We could talk all day about our programs and our approach. But the real story? It comes from the people we serve.
One Washington Heights parent told us recently: "Before TBCC, my son was just floating. Now he has purpose. He comes home talking about what he learned, what he's building. That's priceless."
A young participant shared: "I didn't think anyone cared about kids like me getting ahead. TBCC showed me different. They showed me I could earn while I learn and that my future wasn't written yet."
These aren't just quotes for a blog post. These are real people, real transformations, real hope.
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming 2026 Events
Real talk: momentum matters. If you’re looking for a clear on-ramp into Earn-While-You-Learn Chicago, Paid Youth Training South Side, and Youth Mentoring South Side Chicago, these dates are for you.
Mar 23–27: “Podcast Power” Spring Break Camp (Earn up to $1,000!)
Mar 28: Community Giveaway
Want reminders and details as locations/times drop? Keep an eye on our events page: https://www.truebelieverscc.org/events
Step Into 2026—With Us!
Here we are: the final chapter of our Big 7 series, and the beginning of something even bigger.
2026 is a landmark year for TBCC. We’re expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and continuing to build with neighborhoods like Washington Heights, Brainerd, and Longwood Manor—because the South Side deserves programs that pay, support that’s consistent, and leadership that looks like the community.
And real talk: we can’t do it alone. We never could.
This is your invitation to step into 2026 with us.
Whether you’re a young person searching “youth programs near me”, a parent trying to connect the dots for your household, or a partner who wants to invest in the South Side—there’s a place for you at the table.
Take action (right now)
Explore our programs: https://www.truebelieverscc.org/programs
See what’s coming up: https://www.truebelieverscc.org/events
Learn about our mission: https://www.truebelieverscc.org/about
Support the work + rep the movement: https://www.truebelieverscc.org/shop-1
The Takeaway: Washington Heights Momentum Is Built on Listening + Follow-Through
Here’s what we want you to hold onto:
Q2 showed us what’s possible when workforce outreach stays consistent and the neighborhood voice is centered.
Our 2026 survey mattered because it helped us shape programming with the community—not around it.
And when young people volunteer for holiday events, that’s leadership in real time.
We’ll keep pushing Earn-While-You-Learn Chicago, expanding Paid Youth Training South Side, and showing up when folks are searching “youth programs near me.” Because opportunity shouldn’t be a luxury on the South Side—and Washington Heights deserves programs that stick.
Footer: TBCC Quick Links + Contact
Programs: https://www.truebelieverscc.org/programs
Support the work: https://www.truebelieverscc.org/shop-1
True Believers Community Connections | 459 W. 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60620 | (773) 966-5651 | info@truebelieverscc.org | www.truebelieverscc.org