25 Years of Possible.
Started with
16
kids
from
Cabrini-Green
2.23
Average GPA
3.20.2001 Using classrooms at The Moody Church, By The Hand began with 16 children from Cabrini-Green. Ms. Shanta, the first staff member, agreed to work without pay until sufficient donations came in to cover her salary. Donnita began sharing her God-given vision to serve 1,000 children by 2012; she continues to this day as a full-time volunteer.
“It was the
genuine love
and connection
that these
leaders had.”
Brittany, Cabrini-Green
9.11.2001 By The Hand opened its new location in the heart of Cabrini-Green. Kids from every part of Cabrini-Green and the Marshall Field Garden Apartment Homes—including those from rival gang territories—learned that they’re all created in God’s image and should love and respect each other.
Dec 2001 Each student received a $25 gift card for Christmas. This became Christmas-in-the-City, an annual celebration when By The Hand takes all the children to State Street for shopping, sight-seeing and a meal.
32
Students
2.26
Average GPA
By The Hand expanded to 32 students at its new location in Cabrini-Green.
Mind
Body
Soul
“Basically, the same services By The Hand gave me, I’m now providing to families”
Natasha, Cabrini-Green
84
STUDENTS
2.34
AVERAGE GPA
2.1.2003 By The Hand asked CHA for a lease, and God answered. Having outgrown 419 W. Oak St., By The Hand asked to lease the Lower North Center across the street. When negotiations stalled, God encouraged Donnita through prayer that a man would talk to her within two days about Lower North. Two days later, a Moody Bible Institute staff member encouraged Donnita to pursue the lease.
6.1.2003 By The Hand launched Club For Big Kids, the BTH program for high school students, which is now called NXT.
“Jesus is the one who will make the next 20 years possible.”
Travis, Cabrini-Green
178
Students
2.46
Average GPA
102
Professions
of Faith
God provided a new location just in time. The Chicago Housing Authority leased Cabrini-Green’s 24,000-square-foot Lower North Center to By The Hand for only $100 a month. One week later, pipes burst at the old building, which was demolished within months. God was looking out for By The Hand.
“I wanted to work with By The Hand to give back, to love on the kids, and to influence the next generation.”
Janae, Cabrini-Green
June 2024 The first annual field trip to Six Flags Great America rewarded students who made all ABCs. This field trip became an annual event to incentivize kids to improve their grades.
Love never fails
2005 The College Scholarship Fund was started. A generous donor wanted to provide $1,500 each semester to college students who maintained a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
214 Kids
2.38 Average GPA
$2M Revenue
7.1.2005 By The Hand became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and formed a board of directors.
By The Hand opened a second location to serve kids in the Altgeld-Murray neighborhood, leasing an empty police station from the Chicago Housing Authority.
Tommy Nelson, a division of Thomas Nelson Publishing, publishes The Boy of Color. Written by Sherrie Nelson and illustrated by Joquese Cantrell, both students at By The Hand, it’s a beautiful book about prayer, beauty in diversity and the meaning of life.
4.27.2006 By The Hand held its First Annual Spring Benefit at the Harold Washington Library.
“I don’t think I would even have a relationship with God if it weren’t for By The Hand. They knew what stories to tell, what Scriptures to teach, that would really make sense to kids. It stuck.”
Keyshawn, Cabrini-Green
310
Students
Served
2.41
Average
GPA
100%
Seniors
Graduated
83
Professions
of Faith
$2.2M
in
Revenue
9.4.2007 By The Hand opened its Austin club—the third BTH location—with 132 kids.
500
Students
2.27
Average GPA
$3M
Revenue
9.26.2007 By The Hand purchased an ideal location in Altgeld-Murray. By The Hand learned that an 8,000-square-foot Presbyterian Church on an acre of land—one of the few privately-owned properties in the CHA—was about to be listed on the market. After its purchase, By The Hand began renovations in October 2007.
Cresean joined Altgeld-Murray in the second grade.
Cresean is currently a junior at Clark Atlanta University.
Travis became the club’s first student to enroll in college. He joined By The Hand in 2003.
“I just want to come back and GIVE what I’ve been given. It’s only right.”
Cresean, Altgeld-Murray
CHA extended By The Hand’s five-year lease on Lower North Center by 25 years, resolving a long-term facility need in Cabrini-Green. Alderman Walter Burnett was instrumental in negotiating the long lease, asking CHA to “make a lasting place in Cabrini-Green for By The Hand.”
7.1.2008 By The Hand added a reading specialist to help children in fourth grade and up who couldn’t read; on average, kids advanced two grade levels in reading during the 2008–2009 academic year.
9.1.2008 By The Hand opened its fourth location. The club in Englewood—one of Chicago’s most under-resourced neighborhoods—started serving 88 first- to fourth-grade students.
10.1.2008 By The Hand Club moved to its new location in Altgeld-Murray, expanding to serve 154 children.
500
Kids
2.42
Average GPA
$4M
Revenue
106
Professions
of Faith
After much prayer and fasting, God provided 17 lots from seven different owners to allow By The Hand to begin construction on a 26,000-square-foot ministry center in Austin. Only God!
Mind
Body
Soul
8.9.2009
By The Hand added a college specialist and started emphasizing college prep at CBK (now called NXT), our high school program.
638
Students
2.28
Average GPA
94%
Seniors Graduated
$3.7M
Revenue
100%
Seniors Enrolled in College or Technical School
655
Cumulative Professions of Faith
“They truly walk with you hand-in-hand every step of the way.”
Madeja, Englewood
Madeja joined as a
fifth-grader and is now a
senior at Taylor University.
8.31.2010 By The Hand leased space at Wentworth Elementary School in Englewood, sharing space for the first time. This allowed By The Hand to expand to 132 kids in first to sixth grades in that neighborhood—for a total of 726 children at four locations.
“With their help, I was able to get a master’s in business leadership. I bought myself a home, had a dream come true in buying my Mom a home, and I now manage a team of 50 people.”
Tarcell, Altgeld-Murray
726
Students
2.27
Average GPA
67%
Seniors Graduated
289
Professions of Faith
767
Students
2.35
Average GPA
$4.4M
Revenue
3.20.2011 By The Hand celebrated its 10-year anniversary by publishing A Generation of Hope, a book featuring stories and portraits of students and alumni.
“I want people to see me and say ‘I can do that.’ I want them to feel all of my love and all of my hopes and desires and dreams for them. And then take what they see in me and carry into their own lives.”
Azariah, Austin
Jan 2012 The “Lend to the Lord” Fund was established to assist families with crisis and compassion needs.
3.7.2012 Mayor Rahm Emanuel proclaimed June 11 By The Hand Club Literacy Day in the city of Chicago.
851
Students
2.38
Average GPA
221
Professions of Faith
12.1.2012 Donnita Travis was named Chicago Magazine’s Chicagoan of the Year.
4.26.2012 By The Hand launched “Reading Takes You Far.” Unveiled at our 7th Annual Spring Benefit, the literacy campaign was promoted with the help of NBA star Dwyane Wade and the city of Chicago.
12.17.2012 By The Hand celebrated the groundbreaking for its new Austin center, which will accommodate first- through twelfth-grade students.
895
Students
2.44
Average GPA
$4.8M
Revenue
By The Hand was awarded a $500,000 grant from Evan’s Life Foundation in honor of a beloved son. Every June during Evan’s Life Month, Austin students complete a service project with Greg and Pat Samata to remember Evan Samata’s legacy.
By The Hand began piloting a technology-enabled learning program that personalizes study and accelerates the pace at which students learn to read.
6.4.2013 By The Hand held the opening ceremony for the Austin Learning Center, its brand-new $6 million, 26,000-square-foot location in the Austin neighborhood. The nationally-acclaimed Proviso East High School Marching Band led the way for dignitaries, families, friends and staff as they crossed over from the old By The Hand—Austin building to what has been called the “gem of Austin.”
927
Students
2.61
Average GPA
139
Professions
of Faith
When they say
“impossible.”
I say
“I’m possible.”
“I don’t think I would have made it this far without By The Hand’s influence. The space I was given where it was okay to be smart, do work and worship was liberating.”
Janiece
1.31.2015 BTH broke ground in Austin for Moving Everest Charter School, a K–8 school that now serves 810 children. By The Hand serves the ME children in the after-school hours.
8.4-11.2015 By The Hand had its first international missions trip, taking three students to Cali, Colombia.
1,000
Students
Served
2.68
Average
GPA
80%
Graduated
High School
100%
Attend College or Technical School
190
Professions
of Faith
$6.9M
Revenue
8.22.2015 By The Hand—Moving Everest opened. Austin children, parents, friends, neighbors and public officials celebrated the opening of the $12 million By The Hand Club and Moving Everest Charter School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“I pray to Him for anything. I don’t have to be ashamed of talking to Him anymore. God will listen to me.”
Mia, Cabrini-Green
Aug 2015 By The Hand Club hosted its first Reading Playoffs, sponsored by Coeur Mining, Inc.
“I plan on being The Solution for the rest of my life.”
LaQuintion, Austin
“Miss Olivia made a big impact in my life because every time I do something bad, she talks to me about it and points me in the right direction.”
Jacari, Cabrini-Green
1,180
Students
2.7
Average GPA
$8M
Revenue
2017 By The Hand Club began plans for middle school at BTH—ME. The goal was to take Austin children by the hand through eighth grade to ensure they were prepared for a high-quality high school. By The Hand also started planning to open a sixth club, to be located in North Austin.
Abundant
Life
mind
body
and
soul
“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked.
“Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Mark 9:23
1,270
Students
2.72
Average
GPA
95%
Seniors
Graduated
338
Professions
of Faith
$8.4M
Revenue
I Am the Solution
“I don’t even know what my life would be like without having the sense of family I’ve built with the club.”
Malik,
Cabrini-Green
1,360
Students
2.73
Average GPA
$9.8M
Revenue
The Ron Burton Training Village awarded scholarships to two By The Hand students. Keith and Camari became our first two students to win scholarships to Ron Burton Training Village (RBTV) summer camp.
By The Hand added a Social and Emotional Learning Specialist (SEL) at Moving Everest to train staff on SEL practices for creating a trauma-informed culture.
Aug 2018 By The Hand took students to Washington, D.C. Our Young Entrepreneurial Leaders (YEL) visited the White House, the Museum of the Bible and The Gloucester Institute.
By The Hand started monthly CrossCity Church services. These high-energy services had hip hop music, testimonies, a gospel message and fellowship to help high school students grow in their relationship with Christ.
By The Hand launched its social justice program - in collaboration with the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Police Department. The eight-week program included a field trip to the Chicago Police Academy and a Collaborative Community Action Project in By The Hand Club neighborhoods.
Everything
is possible
with God
—Mark 10:27 NLT
2.1.2019 The Chicago Housing Authority completed a $6M renovation of the By The Hand—Cabrini-Green facility.
1,523
Students
3.04
Average GPA
250
Professions
of Faith
10.05.2019 By The Hand broke ground for the Austin middle school facility. The 30,000-square-foot middle school addition will eventually serve and prepare 270 sixth- through eighth-grade students to enter one of Chicago’s best public high schools.
Mar 2020 Love kept moving, and our students kept learning. By The Hand pivoted to a virtual learning platform when the Chicago Public Schools closed due to COVID-19, enabling our kids to continue learning while many students across the nation fell behind.
By The Hand provided care for emergency needs.During the pandemic and economic shutdown, By The Hand was able to serve in extraordinary ways. Kids, families, staff, volunteers and supporters—bound together by prayer and acts of kindness—experienced God’s protection and provision.
9,816
Families Received
Fresh Food or Catered
Meal Deliveries
599
Students Gained Access
to Technology
98%
Lexia Core5 Students Moved
Forward Averaging
Three Months’ Growth
8.12.2020 By The Hand—ME middle school was completed. The first BTH school-plus-after-school facility allowed 810 students from kindergarten to eighth grade to attend Moving Everest Charter School during the day and By The Hand—ME for the after-school hours.
Aug 2020 By The Hand high school students opened Austin Harvest. The fresh food market provided residents with access to healthy food—a needed solution after neighborhood grocery stores closed due to looting and fires during the 2020 protests.
9.1.2020 By The Hand crossed the milestone of 6,000 kids enrolled over the previous 20 years.
8.11.2021 By The Hand broke ground on its sixth site, North Austin. Once completed, the 10-acre campus will allow By The Hand—along with partners Grace and Peace Church and Intentional Sports—to provide equitable access to sports, education and holistic wellness services for residents of this historically underserved community.
1,454
Students
2.7
Average GPA
$11.4M
Revenue
100%
Seniors Graduated
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
Mark 10:27
1,396
Students
100%
Seniors Graduated
3.07
Average GPA
$15.7M
Revenue
05.07.22 Austin Harvest broke ground on its permanent structure. The high school students who dreamed of growing community through fresh food were working hard to make that dream a permanent reality.
“By The Hand helped me improve my grades, but more than that, they helped me want it for myself.”
Djeneba, Austin, Alumna
02.02.23 By The Hand’s long-awaited dream became a reality: Staff, families, guests and even Mayor Lori Lightfoot celebrated the ribbon cutting for North Austin, the sixth BTH site.
04.10.23 By The Hand programming began at our North Austin site. North Austin provides no-cost after-school programming for 400 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. 90% of our staff at North Austin are bilingual, allowing us to effectively serve our Latino students in this neighborhood. As with all of our sites, we partner with Chicago Public Schools to identify students who are reading below grade level. We then provide holistic education services including literacy intervention, enrichment activities, college and career support and counseling.
1,850
Students
299
Professions
of Faith
3.16
Average GPA
03.02.24 Through a partnership with Freight to Plate, Kenilworth Union Church and the Bowen family, By The Hand launched Bowen Harvest, a hub for youth entrepreneurship, nutrition education and community nourishment. The 500-square-foot state-of-the-art hydroponic container farm gives students opportunities to grow as leaders and entrepreneurs, offers hands-on education in STEM and empowers youth to develop food solutions for their community.
By The Hand Club served more than 200 students at North Austin in 2024. In the first year of operation, Intentional Sports hosted more than 60K youth. Grace & Peace Revive Center opened a Fresh Choice Store that immediately began serving appx 1K families weekly. Mastercard analytics demonstrated a major economic lift in the neighborhood over the North Austin site’s first year.
08.13.24 Austin Harvest officially opened its permanent building to bring fresh food, hope and healing to the Austin community year-round.
Mind. Body. Soul.
3.2.2024
By The Hand launched Bowen Harvest farm in Altgeld-Murray
8.13.2024
Opened permanent Austin Harvest market
2,080
Students
3.16
Average GPA
100%
Seniors
Graduated
9.1.2025
By The Hand opened a Dallas affiliate as part of By The Hand USA
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
Mark 10:27
2,140
Students Enrolled
Join Us As We Press Onward for Another 25 Years and for 10,000 Students