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 2020 ANNUAL REPORT

2020 WAS A YEAR LIKE NONE WE'VE EVER EXPERIENCED.

This year we faced--and overcame--unprecedented challenges together. In the midst of unending obstacles, people from all across our nation and from the heart of our community came together to make things happen. This year, again and again, we shifted directions and pivoted to respond to the needs before us. In each pivot, we looked to find creative ways to love our families, overcoming each new obstacle however we could. Here is the story of those pivots and the unprecedented year of 2020.

To all who joined us this year, we hope you enjoy R CITY's 2020 Annual Report. The victories within it are ours to celebrate together.

2020 - The year teenagers found purpose in work.

2020 - The year teenagers found purpose in work.

On Harambee work days they entered the building, signed in and had their temperature checked and we would ask how school was going. Too often their responses were not marked by confidence.

Despite their frustrations and discouragement, we were so thankful they got out of the house to come to River City. There was clearly something life giving in completing physical work when so much of their daily lives were spent online.

2020 - The year youth added beauty to their community.

2020 - The year youth added beauty to their community.

This school year, R CITY Art Shop decided to take on creating a mural in our neighborhood. It was the perfect activity to do safely during the pandemic allowing us to be creative outdoors. We knew what we wanted to do and we had our idea ready but we didn’t know where we could bring our idea to life. When Lori, one of our students, found out that we needed a place to do a mural, she asked her landlord if we could paint on a wall in the backyard of her apartment building and luckily, the landlord agreed to let us do it.

2020 - The year we found new ways to bring JOY

2020 - The year we found new ways to bring JOY

During our weekly staff meeting, we shared how for much of our day we felt like the stereotype of a “shushing” librarian. We witnessed teachers creatively tackling so many problems, but knew part of our we had a unique opportunity to bring joy to their physical world, since it was such a privilege to be together. We discussed ways to increase joy in our days, we implemented incentive plans, and brainstormed safe ways to enjoy Halloween.

Second Home + Second Family: Fall 2020 Update

Second Home + Second Family: Fall 2020 Update

We have now completed two months of remote learning support. Many students and families in our city have found a workable rhythm, but others have deeply felt the weight of working their jobs while supervising their children's education. It is this moment that you have stepped into, opening River City's doors to create an extended family for our youth and support for our families. Through your generosity, we've invited in a full roster of 61 students, kindergarten through high school.

Community Coming Together: Summer 2020 Update

Community Coming Together: Summer 2020 Update

What I have learned from life in the city is that love grows deepest amid difficulty. Violence bonds survivors together, marching against what robbed them of peace. Shortfall brings about the miraculous deliverance of God--and the communal gratitude of the delivered. The challenge of faithfully walking with children from hard places--shouldering with them the burdens they carry--forges a team bonded in unforgettable ways. The hardest years become powerful memories of the ones who loved us fiercely during those times.

Spring 2020 Update

Spring 2020 Update

In the spirit of this most unusual season, I write this from my living room to yours. Much has been said about the difficulty of this time, and it rings true in our world. The charts show our zip code near the top of Chicago's COVID case rankings, and multiple young adults in my circle have indeed lost parents or grandparents to COVID. The news talk about shortages of food, income, & access to technology, and texts from our families echo that.