HISTORY

The Blessed Sacrament Youth Center serves the children and adolescents of the North Lawndale neighborhood in Chicago - one of the poorest neighborhoods in Chicago consisting of a population that is over 95% African American. Blessed Sacrament was founded in 1987 with a start up grant from Mercy Boys and Girls Home as an after-school drop in center. Blessed Sacrament began in an unused parish building with a part-time youth director, two volunteers, a basketball hoop, a ping pong table and 10 youth members. Blessed Sacrament then offered the community in North Lawndale a safe place where youth could do their homework, play sports and go on an occasional field trip.

MISSION

The mission of Blessed Sacrament is to create an environment in which youth of all ages can work and play together to promote good values and to develop the maturity and skills needed to become responsible adults and leaders. While Blessed Sacrament is a ministry of St. Agatha’s Catholic Church, it is entirely funded by donations from foundations, corporations and private individuals. Blessed Sacrament receives no funds from either the Archdiocese of Chicago, from St. Agatha’s or from any governmental agency.

Blessed Sacrament is open to all of the youth of North Lawndale without regard to religious beliefs.

PROGRAMMING

As Blessed Sacrament has grown, so has its programming and outreach to the community. Today Blessed Sacrament has over 188 registered members who attend either our flagship After School Program or some other aspect of our programming six days a week where they receive tutoring, do their homework, use the computer lab, play basketball or rollerblade, or engage in arts and crafts. Our After School Program is conducted Monday through Friday from 2:30 – 6:00 p.m. Please pay us a visit.

3600 W. CERMAK ROAD (map)

CHICAGO, IL 60623
Voice: (312) 277-4640
Fax: (312) 277-1814
blessed_sacrament@yahoo.com

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