Our kids are fueled by the Power of One. You can be the One to make a difference.

Jyierre, a third-grader at Altgeld Gardens, loves By The Hand Club. While he’s made good friends who always have his back, and he’s shown great academic progress, he insists, “My favorite part of By The Hand is God-time.”

Lenard, a fourth-grader at Englewood, is making impressive strides. When he started at By The Hand Club, he connected to the people. Ms. Peace, a By The Hand SEL Specialist, has had a big influence on him through regular meetings and steady involvement in his life.

Alanna, who started at By The Hand Club as a third grader, is now a successful high-schooler. She reflects, “I’ve had a lot of support. By The Hand helped me open my mind for my future.”

By The Hand is introducing our children to God all over Chicago. Brenton, a fifth grader from Austin, is living proof. When he first started attending club, he had really only ever heard God’s name. But he didn’t know much else. He remembers, “By The Hand introduced me to Jesus. I saw people praying. I saw people reading from the Bible. I didn’t understand all the words. So I asked if they would get me a Bible that I could understand.”

The partnership between By The Hand and Intentional Sports on the incredible North Austin campus means that students, like fifth-grade Iker, get all the benefits of being at club while chasing after a big dream. Iker wants to be a professional soccer player. He feels lucky to be coached at Intentional Sports because, “The coaches challenge and push us to our max. They do it so we can be our best. And I appreciate that.”

Kmariyah started attending when she was in third grade. Her introduction to By The Hand was made easier by the people she met. She explains, “When I started in third grade, I felt shy. But I watched the people around me having fun, laughing and playing games. They acted like they wanted me there. It made me feel welcome and comfortable.” Now she’s part of the family.

Sariyah started at By The Hand Club when she was just a first grader. Now, as a successful high school student, she’s confident in her plans for her future. She’s thankful to be a part of By The Hand. “I love being here. I love learning more about God.”

Ashtyn may only be in fifth grade, but he’s already acquiring tools that will propel him into a successful life. Ashtyn meets with Social Emotional Learning Specialist, Daniel Bell, where he’s scaffolding new skills, starting with increasing his own self-awareness.

Fourth-grade Sofia didn’t know much about God before starting at By The Hand. She questioned if He was real and felt indifferent about including Him into her life. But once she began attending By The Hand—North Austin, her heart shifted.

This mighty young boy is extraordinary and his growth in Lexia is already impressing his teachers.

Josiah had incredible growth in Lexia this past year. As a second grader, he started off reading at the first-grade level—but grew to finish the year reading at the fifth-grade level!