$15M investment bringing new youth centers to Chicago's West Side

The Lohengrin Foundation is funding two new community centers to serve young residents in North Lawndale and Little Village.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Chicago city leaders are investing $15 million to build two new youth community centers on the city's West Side. The Lohengrin Foundation is providing $10 million to the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation for a sports training facility, and $5 million to Erie Neighborhood House for a gymnasium and training space. The centers will serve the North Lawndale and Little Village neighborhoods, which have high youth populations, in an effort to provide safe spaces and programming to keep kids off the streets.

Why it matters

The new youth centers aim to address the lack of community resources and green spaces in these West Side neighborhoods, which have historically faced challenges with violence and poverty. By investing in facilities and programming for young residents, city leaders hope to create safe havens that can help reduce violence and provide opportunities for personal development.

The details

The $15 million investment will fund two new community centers - a $10 million sports training facility from the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation, and a $5 million gymnasium and training space from Erie Neighborhood House. The centers will be located in the neighboring North Lawndale and Little Village communities, which have youth populations above the city average. Leaders say the new facilities will offer year-round programming, coaching, mentorship, and family support to keep kids engaged and off the streets.

  • The Lohengrin Foundation announced the $15 million investment on February 26, 2026.
  • The new youth centers are expected to be completed within the next 2-5 years.

The players

Lohengrin Foundation

A philanthropic organization providing the $15 million in funding to build the new youth community centers in Chicago's West Side neighborhoods.

Lawndale Christian Development Corporation

The recipient of a $10 million grant from the Lohengrin Foundation to build a sports training facility in the North Lawndale community.

Erie Neighborhood House

The recipient of a $5 million grant from the Lohengrin Foundation to build a gymnasium and training space in the Little Village community.

Richard Townsell

Representative from the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation.

Cristiana De La Rosa

Representative from Erie Neighborhood House.

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What they’re saying

“We want to create a place year round all the time great coaches great mentors family support as well as the athletes. That's why this is a dream come true for us.”

— Richard Townsell, Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (abc7chicago.com)

“After school we'll be able to provide those services summer full day and so we are really looking to9 amplify that and double our impact.”

— Cristiana De La Rosa, Erie Neighborhood House (abc7chicago.com)

“A mission of identifying and selecting a partner that would help us bring to life a youth and community center that would help reduce violence and help bridge communities.”

— Mark Rodriguez, Lohengrin Foundation (abc7chicago.com)

What’s next

The new youth community centers are expected to be completed within the next 2-5 years.

The takeaway

By investing in safe, community-focused spaces for young residents, city leaders in Chicago hope to provide much-needed resources and programming to help address violence and poverty in the West Side neighborhoods of North Lawndale and Little Village.