Black lives matter to Chicago Lights.
Our mission is to build brighter futures for Chicago’s youth and adults through supportive relationships and life-changing programs.
We do this by providing creative youth development and social services that help people build the skills they need to transcend the challenges of poverty and lead fulfilling lives.
Chicago Lights believes every person should have access to the resources they need to overcome economic and social barriers and achieve their ambitions.
Our History

The Presbyterian denomination maintains a legacy of establishing colleges and universities and standing with people often disinherited by society.
In 1964, Fourth Presbyterian Church partnered with residents in the former Cabrini-Green neighborhood to provide tutoring to students. The commitment to education and literacy expanded and in 1991 gave rise to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which in 2004 was renamed Chicago Lights.
Fourth Presbyterian Church continues to be a vital source of funding and support for Chicago Lights, including providing forty percent of our volunteers and covering a majority of our overhead costs. Because of this partnership, our team of professional staff and over 1,000 dedicated volunteers can continue to build brighter futures for youth and adults who need it most.
Since the inception of Tutoring in 1964, Chicago Lights has served more than 50,000 people. Today, we annually serve more than 4,000 individuals living in under-resourced neighborhoods through mentoring, supportive services, academic enrichment, career development, and arts education.





- Executive
- Development & Communications
- Dance Academy
- Social Service Center
- Tutoring & Summer Day
- Urban Farm
Theresa Thornburg
Associate Director of Clinical Services, Social Service Center
RaShonn Roberts
Stable Housing Case Manager, Social Service Center
Patty Sokolow
Program Services and Volunteer
Manager, Social Service Center
Sarah Berlyn
Street Outreach Coordinator, Social Service Center
Shatoya Harper
Youth Programs Manager, Tutoring
and Summer Day
Armedia Houston
Education and Enrichment Manager, Tutoring and Summer Day
Jonita Johnson
Youth Programs Coordinator, Tutoring and Summer Day
Malcolm Patterson
Head Grower and Workforce Programs Educator, Urban Farm
Our Board of Directors
President
DiMeo Schneider & Associates, L.L.C.
Vice President
HR Consultant/Executive Coach
Vice President
Publicis Re:Sources
Secretary
Aon
Treasurer
Morningstar Investment Management, LLC
Assistant Treasurer
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Bates Development Services
JPMorgan Chase Bank
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP