Teen Leadership Program

Teen Leadership Program

• Sponsoring Organization: Concordia Place
• City/State: Chicago, IL
• Grant Program: GrantsPlus Grants
• Grant Amount: $100,000

Project Summary:

Founded in 2008, Concordia Place’s Teen Leadership Program serves more than 170 youth annually, providing a structured, supportive environment for teens navigating adolescence amid economic barriers and opportunity gaps. Rooted in faith, equity, and compassion, the program reflects Concordia Place’s vision: inspired by faith, envisioning bigger and better tomorrows where rich diversity strengthens learning and growth for all.

Teen Leadership brings that vision to life by nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—through mentorship, skill-building, and meaningful community engagement. Teens gain a sense of belonging, purpose, and agency as they develop practical skills, explore their creativity, and learn how their gifts can be used to serve others and strengthen their communities.

The program operates through three interconnected initiatives:

• • Ruckus Entrepreneurs, a teen-led small business producing natural body care products, where participants learn budgeting, branding, and financial literacy while practicing generosity through a “buy one, give one” model that supports Concordia Place families and community partners in need.
  • Culinary Leaders, which teaches teens nutrition, gardening, and cooking while exploring cultural traditions and introducing entrepreneurial ventures that combine creativity with service.
  • Craft & Culture Lab, where youth engage in traditional and modern art forms, building technical skills, cultural understanding, and confidence through community showcases and sales.

Across all initiatives, participants engage in hands-on community service projects, reinforcing that learning and serving others go hand in hand. An “earn and learn” stipend model further affirms the dignity and value of teens’ time and contributions, removing financial barriers to participation for youth—93% of whom qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

The Teen Leadership Program has demonstrated strong and lasting outcomes. Every participant who has remained in the program through their senior year has graduated from high school—a 100% success rate compared to Chicago Public Schools’ average graduation rate of 84%. In 2025, 100% of graduating seniors enrolled in postsecondary education, with 60% earning full-ride scholarships to four-year universities. Many alumni return as mentors, volunteers, and community leaders, continuing a cycle of service and transformation.

Beginning in 2026, Concordia Place will launch a structured academic support component in response to a comprehensive needs assessment conducted with students, alumni, staff, and leadership. The enhanced model will integrate small-group homework support, high school and college application guidance, and initiative-based enrichment, ensuring teens receive both academic and experiential opportunities to thrive.

Through this partnership, We Raise and Concordia Place are investing in a proven, faith-centered model of youth development that restores dignity, cultivates leadership, and reflects Christ’s love in action. Together, we are supporting Chicago teens as they discover their God-given gifts and grow into confident leaders equipped to serve others and help build stronger, more resilient communities.