RAMIRO’S STORY

—Testimonial, Edited from Ramiro’s own words

December 1, 2017

Growing up was hard. I am the oldest of the family and have to set the example for my siblings. My parents didn’t like each other, which made things difficult for us. I have been coming to ICI for about 10 years now and they really helped me turn my life around. At one point I was smoking drugs, selling drugs, drinking—just doing the same things as everyone else. Sophomore year is when the teaching at ICI really got to me and I gave my life to Christ and changed the path I was on. I began studying the bible and learning how to make changes. I felt like before Leaders In Training (LIT) I was going to end up like anyone else: not go to college, drop out of high school, end up a parent at 16, work in a factory like my dad does.

I always doubted myself. But being a LIT intern this summer was amazing! I got to work with my best friend Anthony. I had financial responsibilities. It was awesome to be a part of that and to be trusted with that kind of responsibility. At the end of the summer I hadn’t lost a single dollar, and I feel so proud of that. I accomplished the goal of being responsible. ICI helped me develop a set of goals for the future. I have a job and get a regular paycheck. I am planning to go to college and have already received offers to attend different schools. ICI has opened up opportunities for me.

Programs

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Our mentorship programs build healthy relationships characterized by respect and trust, allowing kids to see themselves through God’s eyes and recognize their own self-worth and potential. It's through these relationships that youth learn to be the kind of leaders that will impact future generations.

AFTER SCHOOL

Our after school programs give kids a safe place to hang out, engage in constructive activities, learn about God, and build positive, long-lasting relationships with mentors and friends.

SPORT LEAGUES

Our sports leagues create positive environments where kids can build confidence, forge strong relationships, and practice teamwork and other important life skills while doing something that they really love.

CAMPING

Our age-appropriate camping programs take kids away from everything they know to a place where they can experience God’s creation, expand their life experiences, and imagine something different for their futures.

Volunteer

EXPECT AMAZING

When you volunteer with ICI you can expect to learn and grow, to be inspired and challenged, to change some of your ideas and preconceived notions, to impart wisdom you didn’t know you had, to gain some wisdom you didn’t know you needed, to be silly and sometimes serious, to listen a lot, to hang out, to laugh, and to make friends. But most of all, you should expect amazing.

Mission

Our mission is to present the living Christ, primarily to unchurched, inner city children and youth, to disciple them and integrate them into a local church.

LEARN. LIVE. LEAD.

We work with children and teens in urban neighborhoods where the challenges of daily life severely affect their ability to pursue healthy and happy childhoods. We develop programs where kids can feel safe, be engaged in wholesome activities, build healthy relationships, expand their self-worth, and develop the life skills they need to move confidently toward a better future.

WORKING TO RE-WRITE THE FUTURE

What we’ve learned from our years in ministry is that to help kids overcome obstacles you’ve got to do two things: live in the communities you serve, and work to build strong, healthy, and enduring relationships. By immersing ourselves in their world, and developing relationships that are both supportive and challenging, ICI helps countless kids expand their view of themselves and recognize their own value and potential. As a result, kids are freed to imagine a new and better future and given the resources they need to make it happen.

History

Inner City Impact has served the city of Chicago since 1972. It was in that year that Bill and Sandy Dillon decided to change the course of their lives by developing after school and camping programs to serve inner city kids. By its second year, ICI was already beginning to extend its reach, partnering with Moody Bible Institute and giving college students the opportunity to gain hands on experience in urban ministry. ICI’s approach was so successful that, in 1986, the ministry was expanded to include Logan Square, and by the time the nineties came around, the 20 full-time staff and constant flow of volunteers was making it possible to reach hundreds of children. Since then, the ministry has grown to include summer day camps and sports leagues, has established itself in Cicero—another of Chicago’s neighborhoods—and has seen its founder celebrate 45 years of ministry. Today, ICI has a new Chief Executive Officer in the person of long time staff member, BJ Bechtel, and continues to see its programs thrive and grow in some of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods.