Our Story

The Heart Behind Our Mission

North Lawndale deserves better than broken promises. That's why we're here.

‍‍

Growing up in North Lawndale, Executive Director Darrell Glover watched his mother welcome every neighbor who needed help. She taught him that real community means showing up for each other, especially when times get tough.

‍

As a pastor serving this community, Darrell faced a painful reality. Years of broken promises had left his neighbors feeling hopeless and forgotten. Young people couldn't see a future for themselves. Families were struggling just to get by.

‍‍

Darrell realized North Lawndale didn't need another program that would disappear after a few years. Our community needed something deeper.

‍‍

We needed someone willing to rebuild trust one relationship at a time, no matter how long it took. That's when Darrell asked himself the question that changed everything: if not me, who?

‍

Building Something Different

For twelve years, we've been creating the kind of community center North Lawndale deserves. A place where neighbors become family. Where challenges become opportunities. Where residents lead their own transformation.

‍

We don't just provide services—we build relationships that last.

‍

Most organizations focus on one problem at a time. We knew that wouldn't work. Real families don't have single problems. They have connected challenges that need connected solutions.

‍

That's why we built six program areas that work together: Health & Wellness, Education, Nutrition & Meals, Family Support, Workforce Development, and Community Advocacy.

‍

When a family comes to us for help with food, we can also connect them to job training, healthcare, and educational support. When a teenager joins our programs, they get tutoring, mentoring, and leadership opportunities.

‍

The Impact We're Making

Every year, we serve over 1,000 families. But our real impact shows up in the moments that matter:

• Families finding new friendships at community meals
• Teenagers discovering their voices through leadership programs
• Neighbors helping neighbors because they've learned what community support can accomplish
• Children seeing new possibilities when their parents find stable jobs

‍

This is how transformation spreads—one relationship at a time, one family at a time, one block at a time.

‍

North Lawndale is experiencing a resident-led revitalization that focuses on hope, collaboration, and community ownership. This change isn't being imposed from outside. It's growing from within, led by people who call this place home.

‍

We're building the North Lawndale that's always been possible—where everyone has what they need to thrive.