Today wasn’t just a hike—it was an experience our youth needed.
At the @ChicagoPortageNationalHistoric Site with @chicago_adventure_therapy , @projectimpact180 young people stepped outside of their everyday environment and into a space that allowed them to reset.
Being in nature gave them:
🌿 A break from stress and noise
🌿 A chance to move their bodies in a healthy way
🌿 Space to slow down and be present
🌿 Tools to practice mindfulness and regulate emotions
For many of our youth, opportunities like this aren’t always accessible—but they are essential.
Out here, they’re not just students or participants…
They’re explorers. Leaders. Young people discovering new ways to care for their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
This is bigger than a hike.
This is exposure. This is healing. This is growth.
#ProjectImpact180 #YouthDevelopment #ChicagoAdventureTherapy #ChicagoPortage #ChicagoPortageNationalHistoricSite MindfulnessMatters NatureHeals UrbanYouth HealingCentered WholeChildDevelopment
Day 3: Springfield Trip Recap 🏛️✨
Whew… the surveys are in and BABY… Springfield was officially the BEST trip of the week! 🙌🏾
Our youth didn’t just take a trip—they had an EXPERIENCE.
They had the opportunity to:
• Meet *@SenatorLakesiaCollins in person 🤝🏾
• Step inside the gallery where real decisions are made
• See advocacy in action (not just hear about it!)
• Explore the Illinois State Museum
• Visit the African American History Museum (and yes… they were locked IN on that scavenger hunt 👀)
• Tour Edwards Place and soak up some history
And the biggest takeaway?
“They can’t wait to go back.” ❤️
A special THANK YOU to @senlakesiacollins Collins for creating space for our youth to see government up close and personal—and for taking time out of your schedule to personally greet them. That meant more than you know. Many of our youth were genuinely surprised to see a political leader show up, be present, and engage with them.
That moment shifted perspectives.
These kinds of opportunities are not optional… they are NECESSARY. Exposure builds confidence. Access builds belief. And now our youth can see themselves in rooms where decisions are made.
#SpringbreakWeek #projectimpact180 #youthdevelopment #northlawndale 💯
💙💛 Grateful for Community Support💛💙
Today I had the honor of stopping by Carey Tercentenary AME Church to receive a check from the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) – Canada to be a blessing to our North Lawndale youth.
This support allows us to provide additional resources, opportunities, and experiences for the young people we serve—helping us continue to show up for them in meaningful ways.
We are truly grateful for your generosity, your heart for youth, and your commitment to investing in the next generation. 🌍💙
Because of you, we can do more.
#Gratitude #ProjectImpact180 #NorthLawndale #YouthSupport #CommunityImpact
🎬✨ Day 5: The Grand Finale – Movie Night!✨🎬
We wrapped up an AMAZING Spring Break Week with the perfect close-out… Movie Night!🍿🎥
Our youth stepped ALL the way up—creating and running their own concession stand with all the classics: popcorn, candy, chips, and drinks! 💪🏾🍫🍿 This wasn’t just fun… this was leadership in action.
And we had to celebrate those who showed up EVERY single day 👏🏾
🎉 Perfect Attendance = $25 Gift Card🎉
Because consistency matters, and our youth showed commitment all week long!
From sports 🏀 to swimming 🏊🏾♀️ to Springfield 🚌 to a college tour 🎓… and now closing it out together—this week was full of memories, growth, and connection.
💙💛 We are so proud of each and every young person who showed up, participated, and made this week what it was.
This wasn’t just Spring Break… this was impact.
#ProjectImpact180 #SpringBreak2026 #YouthLeadership #CommunityImpact MovieNightVibes ConsistencyWins
Day 2 of Spring Break was full of fun, connection, and community 💦🔥
We spent the day at #Homan Square Park enjoying pool time, open gym, and some good old-school races—lots of laughs, movement, and new friendships being built 🏊🏽♂️🏃🏽♀️
The park was already full of energy with a line of scrimmage game happening as teams prepared for the 3-on-3 tournament kicking off Wednesday 🏀—our youth got to be part of that positive atmosphere.
We were grateful to serve alongside it all—distributing 80+ snack bags, pizza, and water to help keep youth fueled throughout the day 🍕💧
We also connected with 85 young people who expressed interest in our Workforce Development Program 👏🏽
Huge thank you to @mscaremalvonya and her team for sponsoring snacks for our Spring Break week—your support is making a real difference for our youth 💙💛
Special shoutout to one of our amazing parents who volunteered and helped table—this is what real community support looks like 🙌🏽
Another impactful day in the books! #SpringBreakWithPurpose #ProjectImpact180 #HomanSquare #YouthDevelopment CommunityInAction WorkforceReady
🔥 IT’S DAY 1 OF SPRING BREAK WEEK!🔥
Today is SPORTS DAY🏈⚽️ and we’re kicking things off strong at:
📍 Only Sports Arena
3332 W Roosevelt Rd
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM
This is open to youth ages 11+ come ready to move, compete, and have FUN with the squad! 💪🔥
⚠️ Must be registered to participate
Let’s start the week with energy, teamwork, and good vibes! Pull up and meet us there! 🙌
#ProjectImpact180 #SpringBreakWithPurpose #SportsDay #ChicagoYouth #NorthLawndale YouthLeadership SafeSpaces
Grateful is an understatement 💙💛
A HUGE thank you to the @Women ’sMissionary Society of the @AME CHURCH for donating 10 bins of snacks to support Chicago youth during our Spring Break Week 🙌🏾
Because of their generosity, our young people will be cared for, energized, and reminded that their community is behind them 💯
Shoutout to our teens who stepped up to sort and organize everything—this is leadership in action!
It truly takes a village… and we’re thankful for ours ✨
#ProjectImpact180 #ThankYou #CommunitySupport #ChicagoYouth #ItTakesAVillage SpringBreakWithPurpose
We want to take a moment to publicly thank @DerekBrown of @boxingoutnegativity and his team for the warm and courteous welcome this week. 🙏🏽
During a recent meeting, I shared that we currently have more young men in our program and could really benefit from a strong male presence. Without hesitation, Derek opened the door and said, “Feel free to drop in with your group.” And that’s exactly what we did.
Not only did he welcome us in, but he took time to pour into our youth, sharing his powerful testimony, offering real-life wisdom, and engaging directly with our young men in a way that truly resonated. While we do an amazing job supporting our boys, I have to be honest… I saw a difference. Their response, their attention, their energy—it shifted. And that matters.
This is what community looks like. This is what collaboration looks like.
We are grateful to have leaders like Derek Brown-true pillars in our community-who are committed to serving youth and families with intention and authenticity.
The impact was undeniable… and let’s just say, the kids are already asking when they can go back! 💙💛
Thank you again for your generosity and your heart for the next generation.
#ProjectImpact180 #CommunityCollaboration #YouthDevelopment #LeadershipMatters #ItTakesAVillage
BoxingoutNegativity
They expect you to react.
They expect you to snap.
They expect you to crash out.
Prove them wrong,
Don’t Crash Out is about learning how to stay cool, think ahead, and move smart , even when it gets heated.
Because your future is bigger than one moment.
Your name is worth protecting.
And you deserve more than a temporary reaction.
Pull up and learn how to:
🔥 Stay calm under pressure
🔥 Handle disrespect without losing control
🔥 Think before you move
🔥 Protect your future
🗓 March 5
⏰ 6–8PM
📍 1624 S. Pulaski
🎯 6th–12th Grade
🍕 Free food
Move different. Move smart.
#DontCrashOut #YoungKings #YoungQueens #ChicagoYouth #MoveSmart ProjectImpact180
Today our youth spent the afternoon learning and exploring at Big Marsh Park during Polar Days and it was time well spent. ❄️🌿
The afternoon was filled with:
🌳 Outdoor fun and team-based activities
🐾 Exploring animals and habitats of Illinois
🧠 Interactive indoor and outdoor learning experiences
🤝 Building confidence while trying something different
Even though the new bike ramp wasn’t open, the youth made the most of every moment — and we now have a reason to return! 🚴🏾♂️
We closed out the day with lunch at @GoldenCorral , where we debriefed and reflected together. Around the table, conversations centered on what they learned, what surprised them, and how nature connects to leadership — observing, adapting, and working together.
An afternoon of learning.
An afternoon of exposure.
An afternoon of growth.
Experiences like this expand perspective beyond the neighborhood and remind our youth that the world is bigger — and so is their potential. 🌿✨
#ProjectImpact180 #OutdoorLearning #YouthLeadership #PolarDays #ExploreIllinois PositiveYouthDevelopment
School was out… so we took leadership to the lanes 🎳✨
Snippets from today at Town Hall Bowl — where strikes, gutter balls, and friendly competition turned into real leadership lessons.
Focus.
Adjustments.
Encouragement.
Patience.
Then we debriefed over burgers at @culvers 🍔 because growth happens in the reflection, not just the fun.
Leadership doesn’t always look like a classroom. Sometimes it looks like bowling shoes and real conversations. 💙
#ProjectImpact180 #LeadershipInAction #BeyondTheClassroom #YouthDevelopment
Shout out to Georgio👏🏾
School was out today, and instead of sleeping in or just hanging out, Georgio showed up to serve. He helped us unload the truck and inventory a full shipment of essential items from @givenkind and he did it with a great attitude the entire time.
This is what leadership looks like.
This is what responsibility looks like.
This is what stepping up looks like.
When no one is watching.
When you don’t have to.
When you choose to anyway.
We’re proud of you, Georgio. Thank you for being dependable, helpful, and consistent. The little things matter and they add up to big impact.
#ProjectImpact180 #YouthLeadership #ServantLeadership #NextUp
