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IMPACT SPOTLIGHT

You are vital to the work that we are doing to transform the lives of youth in high-risk communities.
Check out how your support is making a difference.

Impact Youth Spotlight

 

Congratulations to our very own Chrissy who just received a sailing apprenticeship.

 

At first, when Chrissy came to Project Impact 180 just  3 years ago, she was petrified of being on the water. As a  participant in our Every Kid Outdoors program, Chrissy received exposure to being in nature both on land and in water. She overcame her fear of water and grew to love kayaking.

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Through grants from the Chicago Community Trust and other generous donors, we were able to give Chrissy and other youth of color and special needs,  exposure to outdoor spaces that are underrepresented by minorities.

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We are thankful for donors that make moments like this possible for youth like Chrissy- from kayaks to sailboats.

 

When you see Chrissy on Lake Michigan, be sure to say Hi to her!

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Parent Vision Board Party,
March 2023
Building relationships over dinner, March 2023

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Our Parenting Vision Board was a success!

Vision boards are more than just ✂️ out pictures and gluing them to a big board.  The role of a parent is one of the most challenging, yet fulfilling roles to have. Unfortunately, we aren't given a how-to book on parenting our children.   

 

Our vision board was curated to provide a space for parents to create vision and mission statements for their families.

 

Our work with the youth of Project Impact 180  includes building relationships with the parents and community partners.

 

 

Our facilitator Tameka Walton, Founder of Restored Hope did a phenomenal job sharing strategies for being intentional in parenting and self-care.

Many of the parents shared that the mindfulness activities created such a serene atmosphere. They felt so much peace and calmness in the room.

We're thankful to create safe spaces that provide parents with the tools and resources to connect with their children.


Thanks to our partners from Mt. Sinai's Parent Outreach team for your support.
Also thankful to Wintrust, one of our newest sponsors, for providing giveaways for the parents.

 


We're looking forward to creating these monthly spaces for parents and partners.

Building Relationships Over Dinner

 

There was a time when eating dinner as a family was the norm and not the exception! Thank you, Lasagna love for providing a hot meal (and all the fixings) for our afterschool club.

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After the students completed their homework,  we ate dinner as a family.

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According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, kids and teens who share family dinners three or more times per week:

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  • Perform better academically

  • Are less likely to engage in risky behaviors (drugs, alcohol, sexual activity)

  • Have better relationships with their parents.

 

 

We are grateful to be able to provide youth an opportunity to connect and build relationships with their peers and other caring adults, and what better way to do it than over dinner?

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Sometimes it's not about re-inventing the wheel,  but going back to the basics to help our youth thrive.

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