In its second year, our Chicago Network is off and running, led by YPN City Networker - JP Paulus. Based on our Denver model, it provides local resources, networking and training to our Chicago-based ministry partners. To date, 44 representatives have attended since January 2006. Our networker also assisted M-Fuge in preparing ministries for the teams that came to serve with the Urban Connexx summer program.

For years, Chicago has been known for its highly segregated inner-city communities. JP Paulus has been very instrumental in breaking down these borders and unifying the ministries that serve in these neighborhoods. Through networking, their strengths are multiplied as is their impact on the children and youth living in these high-risk communities. Following is a list of some of the benefits that resulted from the meetings this past year:

• One of the unique benefits to our Chicago ministry partners is the "Urban Connexx" program sponsored by YPN and M-Fuge. This year 1,000 youth from suburban communities were recruited to serve during an eight week summer program at our ministry partner's sites and in their inner-city neighborhoods.
• YPN co-sponsored RELOAD Chicago, a one-day training event for urban youth workers in March 2007. Chicago had the largest number of attendees of the nearly 20 cities hosted in 2006 and reached a new record with 320 in attendance this year. YPN's Chicago Networker was actively involved in the city planning team for the 2007 event organized by Urban Youth Workers Institute in partnership with the city planning team.
• Guest speaker from the Chicago Department of Children and Youth Services provided tips on how to cut through the red tape in various departments whose purpose is to serve the inner-city community.
• 36 Chicago Wolves AHL Hockey vouchers were distributed to our network of ministry partners to attend games this winter.
• Distribution of gift-in-kind donations to our Chicago network included t-shirts, CD's, first-aid kits, lawnmowers and ladders.
• Due to donors and our national partnerships, YPN is able to give out free resources like bibles, books, t-shirts, travel bags, or sport tickets at nearly every meeting.

Chicago Calendar

YPN Monthly Network Meetings:
A time for ministries to gather together for support and to share resources to better do what God has called you to do! Check the calendar for time and location each month.

View the Chicago Events Calendar [offsite]

Chicago Resources

Urban Connexx left quite a bit of equipment behind at the end of last summer. We'll use much of it this summer, however we have a couple of items that we'd like to give away or loan, so that it doesn't waste away in our storage space. These include:

Four 11-foot poles (to hang banners, curtains, fabric walls, etc)
we would REALLY appreciate someone taking these

Two lawnmowers
ladders
large plastic garbage cans with lids
wet noodles
first aid kits
and more. If there are some other items you know you need, please let me know, and I can see if they are available.

Contact PACT Consulting if you are setting up your ministry's 501(c)3. They provide consulting and assistance through this process at an affordable price.

Clubflyers has a special offer: an organization can get 1000 full color "pluggers" for free. Here's the catch:
1. You pay postage & handling (approx. $40)
2. Limit 1 order per month
3. They'll put their ad on the back of your ad (to promote their website)

YouthPartnersNET is excited to announce the launch of our Chicago NETwork in January 2006 under the leadership and direction of JP Paulus who has been actively involved in urban youth work in the Chicago area for over a decade. After several years of partnership with Urban Connexx, a summer service project that brings thousands of young people from all over the nation to serve children and youth, together YPN and Lifeway hired JP to continue the year round impact and planning for this incredible summer service project.

The purpose of our city NETworks is to enhance fellowship, provide new resources and contacts, and encourage our ministry partners that are working 24/7 on the front lines of the urban setting. JP brings a wealth of experience, connections, relationships, and energy to assist our partners in this city wide effort. Please pray for JP and our Chicago area partners as they serve the city, children, and youth with the love of Jesus. Join them during the summer by bringing your youth group to Urban Connexx.

For Him and Them,

Dean Cowles

Selected YPN Resources