Who We Are

GRIP Outreach For Youth is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created to address the needs of fatherless teenagers in Chicago's inner city. Connecting these youth with caring Christian mentors to build "life-on-life" relationships, GRIP provides programs and recreation to develop young people spiritually, mentally, and physically. Many of our teens are from neighborhoods where very few have a father figure in their lives and far too many end up in jail, addicted to drugs, or even dead before they turn 25.

Since its founding in 2004, GRIP has introduced a father-figure and the hope of Jesus Christ into the lives of hundreds of at-risk teens who desperately need someone to love them and walk life alongside them.

Each letter in the word GRIP represents one of our pillars:

G - GOSPEL 

The Gospel is the cornerstone of everything we do at GRIP. Our goal is do ministry just as Jesus did, with love, compassion, humility, and an unrelenting commitment to spreading the Gospel of Truth. It is our hope that this commitment will help lead many of our at-risk teens into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)

R - RELATIONSHIPS

Building biblical relationships based on honesty, trust, and love is vitally important to accomplishing our mission. We believe that the real impact of GRIP’s ministry takes place outside the walls of our programs, when our youth and adult volunteers are walking life together. We know it is essential for our youth to hear what the Scripture teaches about how God wants them to live, but we also believe they need to see firsthand what living a gospel-centered life looks like. This is why we are committed to equipping our staff and volunteers with the training they need to be godly examples to our youth. (1 Corinthians 4:15)

I - IMMERSION 

Plugging young believers into local churches is another vital component of our ministry. We aspire to see our youth become vibrant, growing participants within the local church body, where they will be surrounded by solid teaching and the support of many God-honoring men and women. We believe that immersion and participation in the local church is an essential step in the transformational process of learning to serve others. (Hebrews 10: 24-25)

P - PRAYER & PREPARATION

GRIP is God’s ministry and we believe it is our responsibility to seek His will in everything we do. We are also committed to praying regularly for the spiritual growth and protection of all our staff, volunteers, and youth. (Philippians 4:6-7) 


We also desire to provide our youth with the practical life-skills they will need as adults. GRIP is committed to providing programs that will teach our youth how to read, work, communicate, and lead so they can be effective contributors to their communities, jobs, churches, and families. (Proverbs 12:14)

Learn about our programs, and find out how you can get involved!