Calvary S Community Complex Operates in Calvary Baptist Church S Building Built Around

Calvary’s Community Complex operates in “Calvary Baptist Church’s” building built around 1927. The building is a 1 ½ story brick commercial, 19,000 square feet with 15 plus “community type” rooms with a “high school basketball regulation size” gymnasium, with additional rooms on the second floor and a partial basement. Our Complex mission is to promote and provide a positive environment for social, recreational and educational activities which will reduce stress and provide alternatives for community

Complex goals have been to promote and provide a positive environment for social, recreational and educational activities which will reduce stress through programs designed for family preservation; to encourage mentoring opportunities for our youth and positive peer interaction and development, to increase self esteem, improve resident and youth fitness and health education, to build strong team support networks and foster respect between young people and elders.

We plan to use the Get In Chicago funding to provide fitness training for young people ages 8 to 18 in our basketball, martial arts and Zumba/dance exercise activities. We will hold two basketball clinics, a summer and fall basketball tournament, once weekly martial arts class and twice weekly Zumba/dance exercise classes. In addition, we will support the fitness program by offering monthly Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Changing workshops. These workshops will focus on “Taking Care of Yourself” workshops and seminars. We also endeavor to receive funding to update our kitchen to provide culinary training to the youth in the program

Calvary Baptist Church’s Community Complex was awarded its first Community Development Block Grant in 1998 and has received funding through these awards until 2006 serving over 250 young people and 80 to 150 families.We were able to provide academic programs for tutoring/homework assistance, healthy eating,

fitness, basketball clinics and tournaments (spring and fall), cheerleading, aerobics exercises, volleyball, family theater, personal computer classes, parenting and teen conflict resolution workshops. Our Complex was awarded funding from the University of Illinois’ Circle (African American Studies). In 1997 to provide “Impromptu Theatre” for youth between the ages of 12-17. We have provided special activities have included community parades to celebrate education and returning to School, Talent Show, outings such as Chicago Bulls game, College Basketball games - Chicago State University, Chicago Public Library,

We are pleased to be a part of this citywide effort to reduce youth violence and participate with our youth. This program will enable us to broaden our programs and reach additional young people through violence prevention workshops and seminars. We will be able to form collaboration with other organizations to provide programs to reduce bullying among primary and high school youth, gang violence (peer-to-peer) and increased utilization of health services and knowledge.

Our seminars and workshops will be required and interactive. They will include participants, parents and guardians. Our programs will include regular evaluation reports taking from participants, guardian, presenters and parents through written feedback. This reporting will occurs monthly and quarterly through written questionnaires, surveys and face to face interviews

We have had involvement with the South Shore Drill team, Bank of America and other faith-based and community organizations.

We plan on continuing our partnership with the South Shore Drill Team, Bank of America, and increasing our role and relationships with area elementary, middle and high schools. We also endeavor to increase our relationship with CPD and other Violence and Drug Prevention Organizations.

We anticipate serving over 100 plus youth a week during the summer and continuing throughout the fall. We are requesting $150,000 to $200,000 for programming and any additional funding for building improvements.

Currently we are not trained or have CitySpan or any of its other products but we are willing to implement it with assistance.