by Laura Constans | May 16, 2025 | Success Stories
Vanyce joined the African American Christian Foundation (AACF) Illinois Youth Investment Program (IYIP) last summer after her mother encountered information about the program on social media. Vanyce had just returned home from the hospital after the premature birth of...
by Laura Constans | Oct 24, 2024 | Success Stories
Chicago youths Loysteen and her boyfriend wanted a fresh start in life. So last year they moved to Arizona - a new location and a fresh start in life. But when Loysteen discovered that she was pregnant, they decided to move back to Chicago. Upon their return, they...
by Laura Constans | Mar 30, 2024 | Success Stories
Charlie is a hardworking man. He grew up on Chicago’s West Side known for high rates of gun-related crime and gang violence. In humble tones he describes it as “kind of rough growing up in a dangerous environment and losing friends to gun violence.” He made it through...
by Laura Constans | Mar 8, 2024 | Success Stories
Kerianna grew up in the near west suburbs of Chicago. As a cool, smart, shy girl she always knew that she wanted to help people. She had been a counselor / mentor to kids when she herself was a kid. Her mom worked as a CNA, and because of her stories Kerianna knew...
by Laura Constans | Dec 25, 2023 | Success Stories
Christianna, a young mother of two girls, has very clear dreams of owning her own catering company or restaurant. She had these very goals in mind when she joined the AACF Employment Program in early June this year. Christianna learned about the program from a friend...
by Laura Constans | Apr 24, 2023 | Success Stories
As one of the multitude of people who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic Felicia was grateful to learn of AACF’s workforce development programs from her cousin. Felicia joined the program in 2020 and was directed to the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA)...
