KC’s Story
After years of living a double life – one way at ICI or church and another way with friends – my life took some dramatic turns in my 6th-grade year. I started coming to ICI in kindergarten, but it took years for me to understand what I was learning at ICI. At camp, my counselor, Reegan, finally got through to me. She just wouldn’t stop loving me, encouraging me, and reminding me that Jesus was waiting to embrace me and change my life. That’s when I finally accepted Him and began to believe what Reegan had been telling me all week.
That same year my family was evicted from our house and we moved from shelter to shelter. During that hard time I had to mature quickly, and I began to question if there were truly good people out there at all. Even though the distance made it hard for me and my siblings to attend ICI, our leaders kept coming to pick us up wherever we were. They were amazing examples of selfless love when we needed it most, and they kept my hope in people alive.
In 8th grade, I was baptized and began spending more of my time at ICI. Eventually, we found a home close to ICI and I began helping out by watching younger kids, cleaning, and doing whatever was needed. This past summer I worked as an intern as part of the Leadership Development Program. My leaders pushed me to believe in myself and challenged me by putting me in charge of day camps in Cicero.
I will graduate from high school this year and want to work with ICI. ICI has been there for me through the hardest times and they will be there for me in the future. I want to be that same light to others.
Discover More Stories
Amalia’s Story
February 14, 2024
Liz felt unsettled as Amalia climbed into the van for winter camp, brimming with excitement, she clutched her phone, ready to showcase her latest fight video.
Kyla and Rosie’s Story
November 22, 2023
While we often see considerable hardship in the city, at ICI, we are time and time again in a position to see God impacting our students’ lives in big ways. Something as small as the gift of a Bible can change someone's life.
Levi and Jayden’s Story
August 30, 2024
We always tell our camp staff to remember, “It isn’t over until the last kid has gone home.” Levi, one of our high school leaders, was exhausted and faced the temptation to rest on the ride home from camp, but he used the ride as an opportunity to have more conversations with kids about what they learned at camp. His discussion with Jayden was encouraging.
Learn. Live. Lead.
Cicero
2348 South Laramie Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804, USA
Logan Square
3327 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
1.800.342.2489
