An Important Message from The Beloved Community

The Beloved Community is a leading non-profit organization on the South Side of Chicago that focuses on empowering youth and adults to be self-sufficient through economic and academic advancement opportunities that promote long-term growth and stability.  As the community development partner of St. Sabina Church, The Beloved Community is founded on Dr. King’s global vision of a model place where all people can share in the wealth of the earth.   Founded in 2004 by Rev. Dr. Michael L. Pfleger, Pastor of the Faith Community of St. Sabina, The Beloved Community was born from a long and proven tradition of activism and community development.

 The Beloved Community was established to provide effective solutions to many of the ills that have plagued Auburn Gresham and surrounding communities in the City of Chicago.  By providing economic and academic advancement opportunities for youth and adults, The Beloved Community is able to transform lives and empower people to be self-sufficient.  A key component of their services for young people is the Excellence in Education & Bethune Carver Scholars Program.  This program provides evening and weekend tutoring, academic enrichment coursework, college exploration, college and high-school admission support and test preparation, along with scholarship and financial aid counselling to mostly African-American Chicago Public School youth, grades 6-12.  A noteworthy component to this program is a unique Ivy League College Exposure experience for 9th grade participants.

Another core service is The Beloved Community’s Business Development Program.   This program provides free business education, counseling, and networking opportunities to small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs from throughout the community and The City of Chicago.  The most remarkable success story from this program is a restaurant located in the heart of this community called Perfect Peace Cafe & Bakery.

In addition to these programs, The Beloved Community manages and operates The Auburn Gresham Senior Satellite Center.  This Center provides a host of services to seniors, including: meals, fitness and nutrition classes, computer training and other life enrichment activities.

The Beloved Community also manages rental property in their community and is involved in developments that promote the intelligent use of existing assets and the creation of affordable housing.  A notable component to their affordable housing effort is a unique program called The Samaritan House.  This program provides free housing for one year to homeless individuals while providing them with the wrap-around services needed for long-term success.

Although The Beloved Community is the community development partner of St. Sabina Church and their programming is built on faith-based principles, they are an independent non-sectarian 501(c)3.  They do not discriminate on the basis of religion or any other factor.  The Beloved Community’s funding comes from charitable contributions and they do not receive funding from the church or archdiocese.  To learn more about The Beloved Community or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit: www.BelovedCommunityChicago.org or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .