Programs
Camp Champ
Days: July - Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
Times: 9:30-3:30
Location: Westlawn Gospel Chapel 2115 S. St. Louis Ave
Contact: Aaron Gray
Camp Champ provides a place for children to go during the day to play games, make crafts, learn about team work, and of course, learn about Jesus. The camp continues to partner with neighboring community churches La Villita and Nueva Vida. This partnership means more than sharing logistics and the occasional snack! Building relationships between Black, White, and Latino communities is an important part of the way the youth see the Kingdom of God demonstrated through camp. If the Body of Christ can love each other in ways that the world does not, what an authentic love that must be!
D.I.V.A. Princesses
Days: Tuesday and Wednesday
Times: 4:30-6:40
Location: Team House, 2117 S. St. Louis Ave
Contact: Kristen Barber
DIVA Princesses is a girls mentoring program that is geared toward Developing Inspired Virtuous and Ambitious young ladies through Bible studies, activities, discussions, and field trips. DIVA Princesses is designed to explore self-esteem, leadership, healthy relationships, career and college preparation as well as many other life enriching topics.
Diva Princesses in on Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30
Plan 2 Be A Man
Days: Tuesday and Wednesday
Times: 4:30-6:40
Location: Westlawn Gospel Chapel 2115 S. St. Louis Ave
Contact: Aaron Gray
Each week young men gather for a time of lessons around the core values, a time for recreation and time to share a meal. Focus is placed on purposefully planning our life with the ultimate goal of being men of God. In Plan 2 Be A Man I young men learn the 7 ingredients
1. To Be a Man of your word
2. To Be a Servant
3. To Be a Peacemaker
4. To Respect and Protect all Women
5. To Respect Yourself as well as others
6. To Have a relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
7. To Have a Plan for Your Life
In Plan 2 Be A Man II young men actively practice the ingredients by serving the elderly, serving the community, and serving the church.
Junior High Club
Days: Wednesday
Times: 6:30-8:00
Location: Youth Center, 2141 S. St. Louis Ave
Contact:
Junior High Club is about building leaders. Junior High Club is a weekly gathering of young men and young women who desire to grow in 5 core areas, physically, culturally, spiritually, mentally, and socially. Each week is a little different, youth have dynamic discussions, go on field trips, have snacks, and play games. Discussions focus on transitioning from child to young adult, dealing with the opposite sex, having healthy conflict, how to interact with each other socially, and learning about what it means to have a relationship with God.
High School Club
Days: Thursdays
Times: 6:30-8:00
Location: Team House, 2117 S. St. Louis Ave
Contact: Kristen Barber
Our Teen thirst know more about the word of God and how it applies to their lives. This was very encouraging for us as a staff. We decided to meet once a week for a time of fellowship, Bible study and prayer. Each week, we spend time playing games, eating snacks and being together. Then, we dive into God's word and allow them the opportunity not only hear Truth but to ask questions. At the end of the evening we take the time for everyone (teens and staff) to share their prayer requests and pray for them as a group.
We can't wait to see how the Lord works through this time!
Open Gym
Days: Wednesday
Times: 6:30-8:00
Location: Youth Center, 2141 S. St. Louis Ave
Contact:
Open Gym provides children the opportunity to have physical activities in a safe, fun, friendly environment. With limited time for recess and no P.E. Class at the local school, kids need both structured and unstructured playtime to learn and grow. During Open Gym the kids learn memory verses and have set exercises before their free time. Youth must be registered to participate to encourage relationships, safety and structure.
Junior Leaders and College Leaders
Days: July - Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
Times: 9:30-3:30
Location: Westlawn Gospel Chapel 2115 S. St. Louis Ave
Contact:
The Junior and College Leaders program has been established as a leadership and job training experience to help further develop leadership and work skills already present in the young adults selected. Leaders attend 1 week of training and 4 weeks of service through Westlawn Youth Network's Summer Camp Champ Program. Leaders receive a stipend for their service. Westlawn only selects 8 Junior Leaders and 4 College Leaders from all of those who apply. Acceptance is based on an application, interview, recommendations, and prior involvement in Westlawn Youth Network's programs.
Once selected, Junior Leaders receive a week of training and spend 4 weeks as camp counselors, assisting team leaders with a group of 8-10 children. They learn important skills such as classroom management, supervising children, and clear communication. Junior Leaders also participate in personal development days including college visits and preparation training.
Urban Institute
Summer Internships: WYN and International Teams partner together to provide a 6 week summer internship. The experience is a combination of practical ministry and intensive learning. This experience will increase your understanding of life in the city and give you hands-on ministry experience. It will stretch your understanding on issues such as poverty, justice and racial inequality. Assist inner city churches with their summer day camp programs. Participate in reflective discussions based on actual case studies, testimonies, and biblically based teaching. Take vision trips to urban ministry sites and develop relationships with the urban youth. For more information , download our fact sheet.
Vision weekends: Revealing and searching for Signs of the Kingdom of God in Chicago. Vision weekends are 3-4 day learning experiences from groups of 8-15. Groups ranging from college students, church groups, and business cohorts have come to our neighborhood to learn from the City. We believe Chicago is an incredible classroom which people to see things differently. Through the lens of the city we discuss topics such as: race in America and the church, poverty and justice, immigration, and the gospel of the Kingdom. Download our Vision weekend fact sheet for more information.