How one Chicago mom started an after-school program by herself
When faced with adversity, the option of throwing in the towel and giving up becomes more attractive as the problem grows. However, it is indicative of the American spirit to carry on despite the frustration and create your own solution to the problem at hand — this is exactly what Chicago’s Jennifer Maddox did.
Maddox, a South Side resident, was working two jobs to support her kids when inspiration struck. Ten years ago, the Chicago cop took on a second job as a security guard in a low-income housing complex when she noticed a problem: The 1,200 children living in the complex didn’t have anywhere to go — no playground, no park, nothing.
“We opened the doors, because there were no safe spaces for the young people to have structured activity,” said Maddox, “Crime plagues that area.” Maddox, knowing the dangers of Chicago’s South Side first hand, decided to fix that problem herself by starting Future Ties.
The program provides academic support, life skills training, and mentorship to children in elementary school, while providing a shelter from the violence of the South Side.
“Kids come by after school and do their homework,” continued Maddox, “We also have tutoring, mentoring, conflict resolution, programs in health and well-being, nutrition, and the arts.”
With the help of University of Chicago’s Community Programs Accelerator, Future Ties has flourished, now taking in more than a hundred students — quite the jump from the few dozen children who attended when it first opened its door. Not only is the Programs Accelerator teaching students across Chicago, but they’ve helped Maddox wrap her head around the difficulties of running a non-profit, too.
“When I first started, I didn’t understand what I needed as far as strategic plans, budgeting, or anything like that,” said Maddox. “I ran into Ryan Priester at University of Chicago and he helped me build a board, prepare a budget, everything — it’s been awesome, they were instrumental in moving forward. I’m still taking their workshops — I’m in their leadership program and the first one this year who’s worked in Government and in the nonprofit world.”
When asked about plans for the future, Maddox says Future Ties is planning on expanding in order to reach any child or teenager who needs somewhere to go after school. On the surface, Future Ties is an after school program — a safe haven for children in a violent city — but they’re more than that: It’s a testament to what happens when perseverance pays off.
