Life Center Newsletter

The Lights Came Back On—But That Wasn’t the Only Thing That Changed Here’s how love, action, and Solve7 helped a mom and her family begin again. She was holding it together—barely. A single mom of three, she came to the Life Center because her power had been shut off. No heat. No lights. No fridge. There was no safe place for her kids to sleep. She’d already tried everything—payment plans, friends, churches. But when she walked through our doors, what she needed was hope. Thanks to the compassionate and generous donors of the Solve7 movement, we were able to help her get her utilities restored within 48 hours. Her voice cracked when we broke the news to her. “I just wanted to feel like a good mom again,” she said through tears. “Now I can.” That’s the power of Solve7.  At the Life Center, our mission is simple but profound: empower anyone struggling with what they need to grow . That means we don’t just offer help—we walk alongside people as they take steps toward a stronger futur...

Jessica: How One Mom is Rewriting Her Story One Brave Step at a Time Meet Jessica: A Real-Life Hero on a Mission Rewriting Her Story If you’ve ever tried to budget with more bills than bucks, you already know—life can feel less like a walk in the park and more like a hike up a muddy hill in a thunderstorm. Jessica gets it. Jessica is a full-time leasing agent, a single mom to a 13-year-old straight-A student, and most recently, our newest Hero on a Mission graduate. But when we first met her, she wasn’t feeling like a hero. She was just trying to breathe. After surgery last fall, her short-term disability pay didn’t stretch far enough. Then came the bills, the stress, and the hard decision to leave a toxic living situation. She moved into her own place—an act of courage masked as survival. Jessica had no cape, no spotlight, and no backup plan—just the hope that she could build a better life for her daughter. That’s where the Life Center stepped in—not to fix her, but to walk beside her...

  No Capes, Just Courage: How Two Women Turned Pain into Purpose with Hero on a Mission They didn’t walk in wearing capes. Jessica showed up battling a life-altering disease and a past full of pain. Angie walked in asking for transportation assistance, not a connection. But somewhere between “I guess I’ll try it” and “I’m all in,” both women stepped into transformation—and invited the rest of us to believe in it too. That’s what Hero on a Mission does best—turns ordinary Tuesdays into turning points. Jessica: From Struggle to Strength Jessica received a Wheels car over a year ago. This time, she wasn’t asking for help—she just said, “I could use that in my life.” She’s battled more than her share: acromegaly, a brain tumor, five surgeries, childhood trauma, addiction, and a lifetime of feeling unseen. But that’s not where her story ends. At her latest session, despite poison ivy, Jessica showed up ready, prework done, goals clear: Start walking twice a week (time and location alrea...

A Gift Card Today, A “You Matter” Moment Tomorrow Every swing counts at the Hope Open, but some of the best moments happen off the course. We’re not just awarding prizes this year—we’re celebrating people. And you can help.  We’re collecting 30 gift cards (valued at $25–$50 each) to be used as prizes for our Hope Open Golf Tournament. This is not just to reward great golf but also to recognize the individuals and families who are showing up, trying hard, and making progress, often against tough odds. Your donation of a gift card can help create one of those “you matter” moments: A night out that says "you deserve this." A coffee date that feels like “you’re not alone.” A hardware store trip that helps someone finally finish that project and feel proud of it. It’s a small gift—but it’s a big message. Drop off a gift card at the Life Center this week, or make it even easier by sending one through A Gift Card Today, A “You Matter” Moment Tomorrow on our Amazon List. Because ever...

When Teenagers Choose to Give High school students aren’t usually known for handing out money , but last week, the students at DePaul Cristo Rey High School did just that. Through Magnified Giving, they awarded the Life Center a $1,500 grant , reminding us all that generosity doesn’t wait for adulthood—it starts with the heart . Magnified Giving exists to inspire students to care deeply and act boldly . It’s not just about writing checks—it’s about opening eyes to the needs around them, listening with compassion, and choosing to make a difference . These students studied several nonprofits , weighed the impact of each , and ultimately chose us . That’s humbling. And honestly, it’s a little thrilling, too. Their decision tells us something important: the next generation is paying attention . They see the struggle and the strength in our community . And they want in — they want to be part of something that lifts people up . To the students of DePaul Cristo Rey: thank you . Your gift will...