Chicago Lights

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Chicago Lights

Chicago Lights partners with youth and adults to build brighter futures. Chicago Lights is the nonprofit at Fourth Presbyterian Church.

We believe every person deserves access to the resources they need to overcome systemic barriers so they can achieve their ambitions. Our programs grew from the church’s commitment to social justice and compassionate service, beginning with the founding of the Tutoring program in 1964. The commitment to education and literacy expanded and in 1991 gave rise to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, wh

ich in 2004 was renamed Chicago Lights. Since the inception of Tutoring, we have served more than 60,000 people.

08/31/2026

Every Thursday, the SSC’s Social Service Associate Matthew Keller leads a visual art class from 1 to 3 p.m., bringing together an enthusiastic group ready to create, connect, and work with their hands.

Last week, the class took their creativity outdoors, gathering in the Fourth Presbyterian Church () courtyard to sketch scenes inspired by the beauty around them. ☀️

A good reminder for all of us: slow down, notice what’s around you, and make a little room for creativity and joy.

08/29/2026

😎 ☀️ Thank you to all the volunteers, staff, partners, and friends of the Urban Farm who came together to make last weekend’s Community Cookout a fantastic day! (Looking at you , .walterburnett, , and ) The weather was perfect, the bounce house was banging, the music was on point, and the food was delicious. A good time was had by all, and we are already looking forward to the next one in our new location!

08/28/2026

Earlier this month, the Social Service Center was proud to be part of a two-day community immersion experience for first-year social work students at Loyola University Chicago ( ).

Not only did students roll up their sleeves and participate in the many ways the SSC supports the community, but they gathered valuable feedback from participants through surveys. SSC staff members RaShonn and Theresa met with the students to share their experiences, offer guidance, and encourage the next generation of social workers as they begin their careers.

A special shout-out to amazing SSC volunteers Sergio and Don who helped guide and support the students as they volunteered in the food pantry and Share Shop. Their time, knowledge, and encouragement was invaluable!

We are grateful for our partnership with Loyola University Chicago and for these students’ willingness to learn, serve, and engage with our community. Partnerships like this strengthen our work today while helping prepare the social workers and community leaders of tomorrow.

08/27/2026

🥕 Fresh from the Urban Farm! 🌱

Our Urban Farm is overflowing with fresh, seasonal produce—and it’s ready for your table! Stop by this Saturday from 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. to pick up what you need for a delicious, nutritious end-of-summer meal.

Come see what’s growing and bring a little bit of the harvest home.

🍅🧅Tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and onions
🫑🌶️ Assorted peppers
🥕Squash, zucchini, and carrots
🍆 Eggplant and okra
🌿🥬 Assorted greens and fresh herbs
🫛🫜Green beans, celery, and radishes

08/26/2026

Make a difference this fall in just a few hours a week! Chicago Lights Tutoring is seeking caring volunteers to support elementary and high school students through one-to-one tutoring, mentoring, homework assistance, and academic skill-building. Tutoring begins Monday, Sept. 28, and volunteers may participate virtually on Monday evenings or in person at Fourth Church on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. No special expertise needed—you just need to be you! Having a consistent adult mentor helps students strengthen their skills, build confidence, and feel supported.

For more information and to apply, click here: https://chicagolights.tfaforms.net/f/vol2026
Or email Mark Dennison at [email protected]

08/25/2026

✨Volunteer Spotlight: Mary Jane Golden ✨

Mary Jane has been a dedicated part of the Chicago Lights Social Service Center team, volunteering every Tuesday since 2018.

Mary Jane spends her mornings in the Share Shop, helping participants find clothing that fits their needs and preferences. But her work doesn’t stop there. She stays through the afternoon, carefully organizing and maintaining the clothing space. Volunteers and participants say they can always tell when Mary Jane has been there, because he Share Shop is beautifully organized, neat, and ready for the next person to shop with dignity and confidence.

Mary Jane also keeps a close eye on our inventory, letting us know when we’re running low and helping us restock when new donations arrive. Her attention to detail, dependability, and care make a tremendous difference in the Share Shop.

Thank you, Mary Jane, for showing up week after week and doing all you can to make the Share Shop a welcoming place! We are so grateful for you. ❤️

Interested in volunteering with the Social Service Center? Click here to sign up: https://app.vomo.org/opportunity/6226769538c0c

08/24/2026

This summer, the power of partnership was at work at the Social Service Center through our connection with other Chicago Lights programs!

Rebecca, a high school participant in the Career Development program (a part of Tutoring & Summer Day), joined us for eight weeks as a paid summer intern. Not only was she a big help to us, but Rebecca gained hands-on experience supporting our Share Shop and the drop-in program, as well as joining our team on outreach each day. Being part of our team gave her insight into how community-based social services operate, providing a helpful perspective as she considers her own future.

Opportunities like this are the heart of Chicago Lights: creating meaningful pathways for everyone to learn, grow, and build brighter futures while strengthening the communities we serve. Thank you, Rebecca! And good luck this fall.

08/23/2026

The teens in Urban Farm’s Harvesting Futures Summer 2026 program recently wrapped up their season with a day of behind-the-scenes tours and special experiences. Throughout the summer, they learned to plant, grow, and harvest fresh produce, developed culinary skills by preparing and sharing meals, and brought their vision to life through hands-on art and trade construction projects.

On their final day together, the teens toured Fourth Church and learned how Chicago Lights operates behind the scenes, giving them a deeper understanding of the people and support behind their growth and community impact this summer. They also sat down with Alderman Brian Hopkins () of the 2nd Ward for an engaging conversation about community development, city government, and youth leadership.

None of this would be possible without the unwavering commitment of our staff, site supervisors, and partners at After School Matters (). Thank you for creating a safe, transformative, and empowering environment where Chicago youth can thrive, build, and lead.

08/22/2026

Can we talk volunteers for a moment? Without them, some of this 94 lbs of tomatoes and explosion of onions would likely still be in the ground and on the vine at the Urban Farm. We have a fabulous volunteer group of software engineers—who enjoy a little gardening on the side—to thank for making this harvest happen.

And if you’re itching to get your hands dirty, we’d love to have you at the Urban Farm as well. Visit our website (chicagolights.org/volunteer/urban-farm) for details on upcoming weekend Community Farm Days as well as group volunteering opportunities at the Farm.

Still eyeing those tomatoes and onions? 🍅🧅🍅🧅 Come by and get some at the Farm Stand TODAY, Saturday, Aug. 22, between 11 am and 3 pm. Also available this week:

🫑🌶️ Assorted peppers
🥕Squash, zucchini, and carrots
🍆 Eggplant and okra
🌿🥬 Assorted greens and fresh herbs
🫛🫜Green beans, celery, and radishes

And after you stock up, come on over to the Community Cookout (conveniently in the same location at 444. W Chicago) and get some lunch. See you soon!

08/21/2026

Partnership is key to everything we do at the Social Service Center, and we’re particularly grateful for partners who go beyond funding our work to show up, listen, and help us find new ways to support our neighbors.

In fall 2023, Northwestern Memorial Hospital Northwestern Medicinee) and the Chicago Lights Social Service Center began conversations about strategies to address homelessness in the downtown community, and Northwestern has been a meaningful partner in that work ever since. Grants they provide help sustain the SSC’s day-to-day programming and operations and our seasonal Living Room for those seeking community and a respite from winter weather, as well as our Meals Ministry, Medical Ministry, and Shower Ministry programs.

Beyond financial support, Northwestern has sent over dozens of volunteers who offer their time and energy to our programming. They’ve also helped connect us with other organizations and resources, including Cece’s Wishlist/the Lavin Family Foundation and Heartland Alliance (), expanding the network of support available to our participants.

As our nearby neighbor in the downtown community, Northwestern understands the needs we see every day, and they continue to find ways to respond. We could not be more grateful. Thank you, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, for being a true and reliable partner as together we build a stronger, more connected community!

Address

126 E Chestnut Street
Chicago, IL
60611

Telephone

+13127874570

Website

https://www.chicagolights.org/donate/

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