Beyond the Ball

Beyond the Ball is an organization that harnesses the power of sport to help people transform their community, not escape it. We develop youth through a number of programs that help change the negative norms present in neighborhoods and replace them with a positive culture. So while we invest in youth to grow community leaders for the future, we are simultaneously making an impact right now. We primarily serve the Little Village and North Lawndale neighborhoods on the west side of Chicago. We've been in existence since 2000. Programming is very intentional about going beyond just giving youth something to do. Sports leagues and clinics grow youth into leaders. Classes, experience trips and mentoring give students practical skills and ideas for success in life. Community events help organize citizens to make positive neighborhood changes. Beyond the Ball can point to many of our alumni as proof of our success. Several of the youth involved since Beyond the Ball's inception are now attending or have graduated college. Many have returned to the West Side and found employment, bringing stability to the community. In addition, areas formerly dominated by gang activity have started to shift back to being owned by the community, and used by the public as originally intended.