Mercy Housing Lakefront hosted a special gathering in April to celebrate the newly constructed Activity Center located inside the Lofts on Arthington, a multi-family apartment community in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. More than 80 people attended, including families with children who reside at the Lofts on Arthington as well as generous partners who contributed to the Activity Center construction and design.

The celebration included family-friendly activities, including a photo booth facilitated by Weinberg/Newton Gallery Teen Collective youth, who are also Mercy Housing Lakefront residents. Additional activities throughout the day included arts and crafts, board games, technology demonstrations, building tours, food and refreshments, and a short program highlighting upcoming service offerings.

Since the Activity Center opened its doors in April, residents have been enjoying its many amenities and the opportunity to build community with their neighbors. During the school year, youth residents utilized the space from 4–7 PM to relax, connect with their friends, play games, and do their homework.

The Activity Center is also home to Camp Adventure, a six-week summer camp. Camp Adventure engages youth in educational and fun activities that are guided by a different theme each week.

During Money Week, youth visited the Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. And during Walk on the Wild Side Week, youth were surprised by a visit from Animal Quest who brought several exotic animals to the Activity Center for a fun and interactive experience to learn about animals and their habitats.

Lofts residents are also able to enjoy ongoing programming in the Activity Center throughout the year, including monthly family movie nights, bi-monthly health and wellness classes led by Life Fitness, Inc., and Community Connect meetings that occur six times per year and focus on community building, sharing resources and skills, and tenant leadership activities.

A special thank you to the many benefactors who contributed to making the Activity Center a reality: Chicago Temple Fund, The Cuore E Mani Foundation, EPIC Insurance, Michele J. Rust Trust, Howard and Stephanie Natinsky, Cheryl and John Neal, Pierce Family Charitable Foundation, John and Kathleen Schreiber Charitable Fund, Urban Innovations Construction, Designs 4 Dignity, and donors who gave at Board Member Phillip DeSalvo’s Fundraiser.