Michelle Johnson
Special Recognition to Y'Shanda Rivera, PhD for ...

A published author and educational consultant, whose work with R CITY extends back to its beginnings, Dr. Rivera conducted research through R CITY's very first programs and was integral during our founding. She continued her investment in 2020 as a board member and joined the staff of R CITY serving as the Director of Strategy, Research & Partnerships from 2021-2023.

Dr. Rivera exemplifies the absolute best of OUR CITY and we are honored to celebrate our 2024 recipient of the Distinguished Award for Foundational Contributions.

Special Recognition to Y'Shanda Rivera, PhD for Foundational Contributions
Organizational Update
Elizabeth Galik
R CITY announces Executive Director Transition

In January 2024, I will step out of the Executive Director role, remaining with R CITY as Finance Lead to continue managing R CITY's grants and finance. At that time, the Executive Director role will be filled by the magnificent Charnesha Collier. She will be supported by myself, our board of directors, and Michelle Johnson, Director of Administration. This role is the culmination of years of leadership development for Char, who began as a youth in the Harambee program. Having served as R CITY's Director of Programs for the last year, Char has shown herself to be an excellent leader for both staff and youth. It is my great honor to place the role I love so much in her hands.

R CITY announces Executive Director Transition
Organizational Update
Michelle Johnson
Special Recognition to Phaedra M. Leslie for ...

At R CITY our mission is to bring the BEST of our city to build a path for families to walk from cradle to career to the glory of God. As we prepared for our very first Black History Showcase, we knew it would be a great evening to celebrate our beautiful children and youth but also, we didn’t want to pass up an opportunity to celebrate and honor some of the VERY best of R CITY whose contributions support our youth, our programs and our community, and this year we had the immense privilege of bestowing our first Distinguished Award for Foundational Contributions to Phaedra M. Leslie from ALL Construction. 

Special Recognition to Phaedra M. Leslie for Foundational Contributions
Program Highlights
Michelle Johnson
Print Shop Teens Complete their Third Mural

Print Shop lead instructor, Songine’ Clarke has been spending time thinking about the phrase from the Lord’s Prayer, “On Earth as it is in Heaven.” The WHOLE earth is broad and hard to wrap our minds around, but what if we zoomed in, all the way to our own neighborhood? What if we could see wherever we live as it is in heaven?

This summer as they decided what a mural on the back of the River City building would contain, she lead her print shop teens through the same thought process: What would it be like if they could see their neighborhood as paradise?

Print Shop Teens Complete their Third Mural
Organizational Update
Michelle Johnson
State Funding DOUBLES the Team

The first quarter of 2022 has been deeply impacted by grant funding awarded from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA). The addition of this state funding allowed R CITY to double our staff in order to implement a small group model across our after school programs. In February we hired a junior high program coordinator and 5 new adult mentors, launched this expanded model of programming and services and we are already feeling the impact this team is making.

State Funding DOUBLES the Team

R CITY Team Spring Opportunities

R CITY is growing fast and furious, and there are a few key opportunities open.  If you’re looking to be integral to a team that is integral to Chicago’s youth, read on.  One of these may be just right for you.

Tutoring Lead: Seeking one individual to complete homework and/or learning activities with a small group of 8 youth each Tuesday from 3:15 – 5:00 pm.  This tutor functions as part of the after-school Tuesday/Thursday program for 40 youth, cooperating with 5 additional instructors in order to provide small-group attention to each youth.  Tutoring would take place in a classroom with 8 youth; tutor would be supported by Brandon Green, program director.
Role Description: Sole leader of a small group (8) within large program (40)
Status: Paid Contractor
Age Range: 5th-8th grade students
Time Commitment:Tuesdays 3:00 – 5:30 pm and Thursdays 2:00 – 5:30 pm

Cohort Childcare: As some of our junior high Young Leaders are responsible for their siblings after school, we are seeking one individual to care for younger siblings (5 children) while their older brothers attend leadership training.  Volunteer would complete homework with youth and supervise them in play activities.
Role Description: Sole babysitter of small group (5) during small program (12)
Status: Volunteer
Age Range: 1st-5th grade students
Time Commitment: Fridays 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Gym Instructor: Seeking an experienced youth gym instructor to contract for gym oversight for Spring 2016 session.  Instructor would run 3 games of 3-on-3 hoops each afternoon of programming (3:15-5:00 pm).  Spring 2016 session runs 10 weeks beginning in March or April and operates 2 days weekly.  Contracted rates are based on individual’s experience; all interested applicants should contact R CITY Directors.
Role Description: Sole leader of basketball (6 players) within large program (40)
Status: Paid Contractor
Age Range: 5th-8th grade students
Time Commitment: Tuesdays 3:00 – 5:30 pm and Thursdays 2:00 – 5:30 pm

Finance & Administrative Assistant: Seeking a support staff with experience in eTapestry donor database management, income processing and reporting, QuickBooks financial reports, and donor/governmental correspondence.  Schedule flexibility a must in order to respond to organizational needs and priorities.
Status: Part-time staff
Time Commitment: Scheduling as needed by organization up to 15 hours weekly.

Interested? E-mail the R CITY Directors.  We’d be so very excited. 

Interested, but not quite ready to commit at this level?  Tuesday-Thursday after-school volunteers are always needed as additional tutors or enrichment support, or to bring healthy snacks to programs.  E-mail to explore R CITY volunteering today!

R CITY Rockstars

R CITY is seeking a few rockstars.  Luckily, the qualifications are not extensive: any new monthly donor qualifies and receives the honorary R CITY rockstar shirt.

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So do it: rock R CITY with your monthly gift and we’ll be your forever fans.  We may not get a tattoo with your name on it, but we will send you a shirt.

Available in gray, navy, or an intense and impressive black.

Art Studio: Final Project

This fall, over 20 students from Cameron Elementary junior high participated in our Art Studio program.  Meeting twice weekly, the students explored a variety of media, ending in a collaborative mural project (paint on canvas).

We think the results are absolutely amazing–and available for all to see in the front hall of River City.

 
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Enrichment Semester: Completed

This semester, R CITY completed its first term of enrichment programming.  Twice weekly, over 40 youth ages 11-14 would take the short walk over from Cameron Elementary with Brandon Green (Community Center Director).  Once at River City, they split between two program offerings: Hoops & Homework and Artist’s Studio.  The programs were supported by a team of a dozen committed volunteers from the community and River City Community Church, led by Brandon (Hoops & Homework) and professional artist Jeremy Black (Artist’s Studio).

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While some weeks had exactly the challenge and energy level one would anticipate from 40+ junior high students recently released from a day of classroom learning, the entire program had one overarching emotion: joy.  Even when energy ran high, students cooperated, cared for one another, played and worked together, and lived out their time at River City in collaboration and harmony.  For a community center serving students from two of Chicago’s most violent police districts, these joyful, peaceful programs stood as a beautiful starting line for what our students are capable of creating.  We cannot wait to build on this foundation in semesters to come.

River City Kids: Meet R CITY!

One of the things I fiercely hold as a mother is a desire for my children to care for our neighbors around us, and to dream big of the impact they can make on the hard things of our world.  As a mother and executive director, the R CITY launch seemed to me a perfect time to bring this lesson to life for not only my own children, but all the kids of River City Community Church.

Our kids’ involvement in CDC Sunday is taking two main forms: coloring sheets that illustrate R CITY’s mission and piggie banks for children to give boldly in our Launch Offering on October 18. 

The parent letter below tells it all:

“Dear River City parents,

This month, River City is building up to the launch of River City Community Development Center (R CITY). As we follow Jesus in the path of ministry to our community, we want to invite our children into this as well.

Each week leading up to the launch, kids can draw a picture of part of R CITY’s mission. They hand these in when they come up for dismissal. These drawings will make their appearance on the big screen the next week!

On Sept. 27, kids will also make R CITY piggy banks. They can fill these with change and bring them back LAUNCH SUNDAY – October 18, when they’ll shake, shake, shake the pennies out for their offering to start R CITY.

With great anticipation of what this can grow in our kids and great thanks for your collaboration,
Beth Galik (with Luke, Faith, Talitha, Mateo)

So what is R CITY?

R CITY is River City Community Development Center, the youth center coming to be at the River City facility. In R CITY, we seek to bring together the best of our city to build a path for families to walk their children from cradle to career to the glory of God.

The R CITY directors are Brandon Green and Beth Galik, joined by River City volunteers both now and even more as youth programs launch this November.”

Join the fun: Print your own R CITY coloring sheet here and E-mail it in to the R CITY Directors to have it included in the weekly slideshow.

-Beth Galik

Meet the Directors

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Brandon Green is a life long resident of the city of Chicago and an Associate Pastor at River City Community Church and Center Director of River City Community Development Center located on the west side of Chicago, where he seeks to minister in both the church and community. Brandon is a husband to Brigitte and a father to Jacob, Julien and Arabella.

 

Elizabeth Galik serves as Executive Director of River City Community Development Center, a nonprofit advancing a new model for building a path from cradle to college.  Her nonprofit experience began in 2006, opening a small computer lab in Chicago’s west Humboldt Park community and growing it to serve hundreds annually with education, apprenticeships, and employment services.  Elizabeth and her husband Charlie live with their four young children and goddaughter in the neighborhood they serve and have opened their home as guardians for more than 25 children through the Safe Families for Children movement.

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September Welcome

Welcome to the home of R City!  We are currently in pre-launch phase, preparing for our first year of programming with prayer, collaboration, thoughtful program design, and the strong setup of administrative and financial systems.  We look forward to sharing more as program design is finalized and programs begin in November 2015.  For now, say hello via e-mail and let us know how you could see yourself bringing your best for the good of R City in the future.

Many blessings,

Elizabeth Galik
Director