Letter from an Alumnus
“I am 39 and I started going to ICI when I was 13. This place was the best thing that happened to me in my whole life.
It gave me incentive and something to look forward to when times were hard for me at home. My mother was a very sick woman physically and emotionally. I bared a tremendous amount of emotional abuse. She would use ICI as a punishment when she felt I was bad. When I couldn’t go it felt like my whole world lapsed. I so looked forward to coming for the refreshing news of the Lord and the kind-hearted staff that always reached out to make things feel safe. Camping was so much fun and all the games and crafts we did…
They would also perform little skits on Thursday night. They were so funny. As I am sitting here writing this I am in tears. I honestly truly miss this place so very much… I was there like 4 or 5 years. I think I was so heartbroken when we had to move away. Till this day I miss ICI so much. I wish I could go back in time and relive that part of my life. I love the songs they would sing…
l just wanna say that you do a wonderful job and God bless you so much for helping others come closer to God and giving a child hope. We never know what really goes on at home.”
-An ICI Alumni
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
