for Hope Sports Complex CASE STATEMENT Introduction Mission Statement...... 4

Chicago Lions & Hope Academy Overview...... 6 The Problem...... 6 The Solution...... 6

The Lions for Hope Complex Features...... 18 Usage...... 20

The Opportunity Funding Opportunities...... 23

Who is Involved Board of Directors...... 32 “The goal is really to help expose young people in this neighborhood to rugby, Current Partners...... 33 but to also help them understand the importance of not just athletics but academics.

The whole vision and goal is here is to help create student athletes and give young people from this neighborhood a path up and out, and even back, to make a difference in this generation.”

VANCE HENRY, DCOS of Mayor’s Office LIONS FOR HOPE SPORTS COMPLEX LIONS FOR HOPE SPORTS COMPLEX

CHICAGO LIONS & HOPE ACADEMY

HISTORY In 2007, the Lions’ former president, Keith THE MISSION Brown, had the opportunity to connect with the From its humble origins in 1964, the Chicago founder of Chicago Hope Academy, Bob Lions rugby club has grown into a powerful and To build a premier sports complex for the youth of Chicago’s North Muzikowski. Keith and the Lions were inspirational organization. With targeted Lawndale and East Garfield Park communities. Through rugby and other encouraged by Hope Academy’s vision for recruiting and dedicated coaching, the Lions change and success in both Chicago’s Near sports, this Lions for Hope Complex will extend life opportunities for the secured 16 midwest championships between West Side and its youth. children and young adults in this area to build their social capital. This 1966 and 2000 when they left to join the Super facility will be considered a safe haven for those looking to grow and League until it folded. Since rejoining the Keith and Bob subsequently formed a unique, thrive within the most volatile area of the US. Midwest, they have continued to dominate and mutually beneficial partnership, allowing Chicago win championships. In Rugby 7’s, the Lions Lions Rugby and Hope Academy to align to continued to dominate since the 1990’s winning serve the deserving youth of Chicago’s most over 15 Midwest championships and the National at-risk area. The partnership led to a first ever Championship in 2007 . They have since state championship in 2015 for Hope Academy’s continued to expand, emerge victorious, and rugby team, as well as a new rugby field, the produce world-class competitors. Lions for Hope Field.

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While the original Lions for Hope Field served its function as a first home where many students and young members of the community were able to find their love for rugby, this location was unpurchasable. Both the Lions and Hope felt that having a permanent location would ensure long-term sustainability, and stability for both entities. Therefore in 2015, the Lions purchased half of the 8-acre south parcel owned by Hope to build the Lions for Hope Sports Complex.

Chicago Lions Rugby has adopted the vision that Hope has developed to expand beyond high school into the middle schools to create its own youth programs. This, along with the ability to collaborate and form new partnerships with school, community, corporate, and government organizations in the area, will allow the Lions for Hope Complex to become a safe place for the community to gather. In summary, the complex will provide at-risk children the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports and extracurricular activities within their own community that will help them realize their true potential.

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“Rugby brings a lot of great values and a lot of great perceptions to our young people. It gives them the opportunity to get out in the fresh air and in THE PROBLEM sport. This is quite popular in the inner city of Chicago, so kudos to the Lions The Near West Side of Chicago is one of the impact of this is twofold: decreasing physical rugby team. I want them to continue doing this work in the community with most volatile areas in the country and is also our activity levels and deterring community our young people.” home. With our community spread over three cohesion through an increase in the risk of JASON C ERVIN, Alderman 28th Ward police districts and three wards, the Near West recruitment to gang activity, crime and violence. accounts for 25% of all shootings in the City Based on conversations with local ministers, and 42.75% of households in North Lawndale THE SOLUTION community advocates and neighborhood police, and East Garfield Park live under the poverty the biggest risk to children is between 3pm to Chicago Lions believes that athletics and sports trauma informed coaching to teach the core line. 6pm during which time children as young as 12 are a proactive solution to the problems youth values of success, including determination and Further, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have are recruited by gangs, and are subsequently face in the Near West Side of Chicago. In order drive. systematically cut funding for after-school and used to move drugs and weapons. to make this solution a reality, a safe place must There are 29 high schools and 54 middle schools sports programs over the last few decades. The be provided to learn and play, as well as after- in the immediate area, making 20,544 deserving school programs in which to participate on a students eligible for this program. These schools daily basis. reside within 2 miles of the Chicago Lions Chicago Lions will use sport to engage program location. In our first school year community youth and serve as an outlet to Chicago Lions has been running programs in 2 provide social and emotional learning schools with 4 schools to start programming in experiences while breaking down barriers to 2019, pending CPS vendor licensing, bringing the positive participation and engagement. Using total number of youth participants to 120. physical activity, communities can creatively With additional mentors and funding, Chicago challenge the minds and the bodies of young Lions believes it will continue its impact and people. growth, as well as have a positive influence on all It is our hope to empower them with life skills eligible students. Additionally, we will gain a and values that can prevent a descent into a life representative sample size for data collection of violence and crime. This will be achieved by a and impact evaluation. curriculum which balances education and

OUR COMMUNITY BY THE NUMBERS

29 High Schools 54 Middle Schools 20,544 Eligible Students

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WHY RUGBY

Integrity, respect, solidarity, passion, discipline are the values of rugby. These values break down barriers of race, location, gender, ethnicity and culture to foster participation. For access, equipment needed for rugby is minimal: a pair of cleats, a mouth guard and a ball.

WHY SPORTS

Youth development through sport has a proven track record with changing behaviors and coping mechanisms. Besides the apparent physical and health benefits, athletics help an individual build character, develop strategic thinking, become more analytical, learn leadership skills, take positive risks, and create proactive goals. Kids and teens who participate in sports are also likely to have a better track record in school. LIONS FOR HOPE SPORTS COMPLEX Athletics keeps them healthy and active, allowing their train of thought to be more focused during lessons and while completing homework. It also allows for the kid or teen to connect with multiple The Lions for Hope Complex will be built on vacant land that serves no purpose. It role models or mentors throughout the day or week. This will not only continue to be a source of will transform a volatile area into a safer, active community using sport and a facility inspiration and guidance, but will also heighten the awareness if there is any concern that the kid or to gather and grow. teen may be getting into trouble -- this is a big benefactor in Chicago. • Decrease crime by filling empty space in the middle of a dangerous area of Chicago with a safe athletic facility full of positive role models

• Provides a stable and safe home base for those kids looking for a place and a group that they can consistently count on

• Invests in the community by building a premier facility

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PHYSICAL FEATURES

In creating a premier multi-use sports complex in Chicago’s most under resourced neighborhood, the Chicago Lions make a transformative commitment to provide mentoring through athletics as an alternative to gangs and guns.

This facility will focus on bettering not just the body, but also the mind. Whether that means learning in one of the available classrooms, participating in an event hosted by a community organization in the expansive main room, or taking a rejuvenating stroll on the walking trails, this space is meant to offer physical and mental health benefits while also bringing the community together.

The entire facility will include the following:

• Rooms for educational experiences

• Space to house activities for community organizations

• Dog park

• Walking trails

• General green space

• Two artificial turf lighted fields for rugby, soccer, and other field sports, as well as potentail for golf, and other programs

• Seating for the main field (capacity from 3,000 to 5,500)

• Fieldhouse with a range of amenities for players, guests and community

• Main room capable of hosting events

• Commercial kitchen

• Deck and viewing area with visibility to both fields

• Four locker rooms with plumbing

• Multi-purpose room (weight room/athletic trainer)

• Concession stand

• Dome East field for use throughout the winter

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In Year 3, this program will continue to grow by:

USAGE Developing a 12-24 month calendar of community-league competitions supported by community rugby nights to continue teaching and creating a safe space for children to play and explore. Some of the facility will be used by Chicago • Community rugby nights continue to create a safe space for children to participate 2-4 nights Lions Rugby, but this facility will be used per week heavily by schools, clubs, academies, and • Community rugby leagues run 2-4 times per year over 8 weeks organizations within the community to play, • Youth, middle school, high school and open leagues train, educate, and mentor. • Create summer program by partnering with local camps

Expanding flag/sevens rugby competition at local schools and develop 15s rugby teams for girls CHICAGO LIONS PROGRAMS and boys. LIONS YOUTH RUGBY PATHWAY • Teachers supported by Chicago Lions players and coaches In Year 2, this program will build a foundation of In Year 1, this program will connect with the hope by: • All coaches will receive high-level education by achieving World Rugby Level 1 Coaching and community by: Referee certifications Creating opportunities to learn and compete Creating an opportunity for youth in the within the community at the Lions for Hope • Provide equipment/ uniforms for 15s teams to lower the obstacles for participation community to develop confidence and increase Complex. physical literacy in a team environment. • Connect the pathway to college • Schedule community rugby program 2-3 • 2 nights per week - 60 minute sessions nights weekly Supporting Rugby education units at elementary schools. • School aged children (elementary & middle • Establish touch/flag rugby community school) • Collaborate with teachers to create comprehensive units to allow academic-and-physical leagues literacy • Skill development stations & scrimmage • Support by local players to support classrooms that take on units • 8 week length (fall & spring) Hosting inaugural schools competition for flag/ • Chicago Lions Rugby members lead as sevens rugby “Honored to be part of the Chicago Lion Youth Outreach programming. I got to coaches and administrators • Support local teachers with Chicago Lions experience something special, which was really where we were at Memphis Inner City • No cost for neighborhood participants resources to coach teams Rugby just 6 and a half years ago trying to get the sport going in the community, and Outcome: Create a connection with the local • Competition hosted at Lions for Hope schools to introduce rugby/support rugby Sports Complex what I’ve seen is an impactful program in its infancy stages, introducing a sport just as programs a platform to a low resource community of Chicago that’s going to benefit from the Create a connection to the Chicago colleges sport because there’s talented coaches here embedded in the education community • Chicago Lions Coaching Staff visit and and universities & referees are included in the support local rugby programs program and we know that the impact of sport combined with academic enrichment and mentors is going to change lives right here from this field and the [Lions for Hope • Develop relationships to initiate rugby as an • Referees compensated additional sport option complex] and we’re excited and honored to be partners with Chicago Lions and • Build mentoring relationships to ensure Chicago Hope.” • Workshop for Physical Education teachers transferable skills on touch rugby for the classroom • Create coaching and administrative roles to SHANE YOUNG, Co-Founder of Memphis Inner City Rugby train community members 14 15 LIONS FOR HOPE SPORTS COMPLEX LIONS FOR HOPE SPORTS COMPLEX

CHICAGO LIONS PROGRAMS STRATEGIC PROGRAMMING LIONS YOUTH RUGBY AFTER SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAM with COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS An after school program that will serve as an Boys high school team with 40 ` informational introduction to rugby. NOBLE CHARTER SCHOOLS Partnership with Wapiti Rugby adds 150 participants • Taster - an introductory 2 hour taste of According to the US Department of Education: “[Noble] has an exceptional track record of helping low income and minority students attain significantly higher achievement and graduation rates. Professionally coached since 2017 rugby Further replication will benefit additional students and strengthen the Chicago Public Schools Launch of high school girls’ team in the fall • Camp - a one hour one day session for 4 system.” of 2019 weeks to introduce rugby basics • Primary Lions for Hope Complex User • League - Two times a week, 1.5 hour The Lions Youth Rugby program began in sessions, 4-6 week program. Introduction to • NNCS won 2015 Broad Prize, national award for top US charter school network May 2018 after Chicago Lions hired a Director more complex rugby tactics and weekly • 11,000+ students, 17 college prep campuses in Chicago, students 98% minority, 89% low- of Youth Rugby, Andy Rose. Andy came from matches leading to a league winner income, 90%+ graduates matriculated into college in 2015 Rugby , the state’s youth organization, • Exit – Direct students to join their local and has made inroads in the inner city. • Noble Athletic Conference aims to create positive impact through athletics, including a highly rugby organization competitive boys-and-girls rugby program The creation of a Youth Rugby program allowed Chicago Lions to run the Chicago Hope Rugby team, as well as connect with middle schools in the area. This program gave LIONS COMMUNITY RUGBY BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS many youth in this at-risk area the opportunity This organization aims to partner with role models, volunteers, and others in the community in to spend their time playing rugby. To date, order to bring children facing adversity higher aspirations, avoidance of risky behavior, and 2 schools x 20 Children x 2 times per week programs exist and are operating in two area educational success. middle schools. Chicago Park district collaboration 50 students three-day camp Chicago Lions coaches assist Wapiti Rugby, a partner club. In 2018, the Wapiti HS team was Add an additional 4 schools in 2019 The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is closely aligned with Chicago Lions’. Both are determined merged with Hope. Wapiti Rugby will be to make a safe space for the youth in this at-risk area. Chicago Lions believes this organization will merged into the Chicago Lions Youth Rugby use any requested facility space in the most influential way. Program in its entirety beginning in July 2019. The Lions Community rugby program is an after-school program held daily at middle schools in the surrounding neighborhood. ADDITIONAL GOALS FOR FACILITY This program was created as an opportunity for youth in the community to develop confidence • Connecting with other sports organizations for usage and increase physical literacy in a team environment. The goal was to create a • Offering summer and holiday camps/activities to provide safe alternatives to gangs and connection with the local schools to introduce violence and support rugby programs. This is a new program modeled after programs in Los • Developing a mentor program by partnering with existing programs and utilizing the CLCA Angeles, New York City and Memphis. network Expansion of these programs will occur on an annual basis. • Capitalizing on Dome fee-for-use revenues will sustain the complex and reduce reliance on annual fundraising

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THE OPPORTUNITY

To date, Chicago Lions have completed Phase 1 and have raised $1.6mm for land acquisition and site survey. The remaining amount needed to fund the Lions for Hope Complex is as follows:

Lions for Hope Sports Complex Statement of Need...... $10.8MM

Phase 2: Current Construction...... $3MM • Infrastructure including utility work, including complex stormwater management, parking lot • West artificial turf field including lights

Phase 3: Construction of The Fieldhouse...... $4MM • Open space for community programming that will accommodate 200 children for after-school activities • West artificial turf field including lights • Space and rooms for educational experiences

Phase 4...... $2.7MM • Construct East artificial turf field

QUOTE FROM JEFF • Install foundation for dome • Construct bleachers on east railway embankment

Phase 5...... $1.1MM • Installation of seasonal dome for East field `

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT BOARD MEMBER JEFF C SIMON PATRICK O’REILLY Wells Fargo Advisors Marie Brizars Wine & Spirits

SECRETARY BOARD MEMBER GEORGE PLACKMANN E. JAMES KEARNEY Resinoid Engineering Group Eire Direct Marketing LCC

ADVISORY BOARD

MARK KAUFMAN President & CEO Athletico

WHO IS INVOLVED LIONS FOR HOPE TEAM TONY RIO BRIDGET O’CONNOR JIMMY QUIGLEY

PARTNERS CHICAGO HOPE ACADEMY

This partner and equal owner of the Lions for Hope Complex is a private non-denominational Christian preparatory high school striving for an integrated community ethnically, geographically, and economically by exposing students from different neighborhoods, communities, countries, cultures, incomes, and backgrounds to create well-rounded, empathetic and socially developed people. The students at this academy have a unique opportunity to be wholly educated -- physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Hope Academy has not only been a supportive partner, but has shown Chicago Lions the impact that working with the youth in this area can make. It is because of Hope that Chicago Lions are able to have these goals and aspirations and begin their work towards the Lions for Hope Complex.

20 21 Chicago Lions Chartibale Association PO Box 532 Northbrook, IL 60065 [email protected] • www.chicagolions.com • www.lionsforhopesc.org