About Us
Located in the heart of Chicago, in the New City/Back of the Yards area, New Eclipse Community Alliance (NECA) was founded in 2013 as a continuation and expansion of the work of New Eclipse Church. A small group of the church members came together to discuss how a 501c3 nonprofit could be established for the community to fulfill a call to serve “the whole human.” Since then, NECA has been unwaveringly serving The New City, Back of the Yards, Englewood and Washington Park communities through a wide variety of wraparound resources. NECA has also expanded to serve the entire City of Chicago, with an additional service site in the South Shore community.
Mission
Our mission at New Eclipse Community Alliance (NECA) is to serve a network of neighborhoods through educating and empowering community advancement while providing solutions to violence, poverty, hunger and disenfranchisement. Our programs provide greater access and exposure to a better life for underserved communities.
Vision
New Eclipse Community Alliance (NECA) envisions a revitalized community that is supported by effective, responsive and inclusive partnerships. NECA seeks to enact change through leveraging investment in community members and providing sustainable solutions through education and economic empowerment.
Our Core Values
Empowerment
We carry a strong belief that each person has the power within to succeed and achieve in this life. By providing key resources for self-guidance and improvement, we empower others to take control over their life goals and outcomes. We know that exposure and access are key to unlocking long-lasting and sustainable change for good.
Inclusion
We know that our community is made up of people from many walks of life with varying needs, identities, cultures and experiences. We welcome each with open arms and commit to supporting everyone that we can through learning about their unique journeys, honoring the knowledge that comes from their specific experiences and inviting them to fully participate in the community while providing solutions that speak specifically to their personal needs.
Partnership
We leverage partnerships with community organizations, individual community members and a wide variety of stakeholders to maximize collaboration, communication and access and exposure as it relates to the communities that we serve.
Resilience
When we are faced with challenges, we approach them with open mind. We are intentional in developing creative, innovative and adaptive solutions that help our communities to not only survive, but to thrive!
About New City
History of New City
The Back of the Yards neighborhood, originally part of the Town of Lake, was annexed by the City of Chicago in 1889. The Union Stockyards were established because of the concentration of railroads in the area and the community transformed into a series of Slavic enclaves, home to Poles, Czechs, Lithuanians, and Slovaks.
The original settlers lived in workingman cottages and these homes remain the primary housing stock in the neighborhood. More than 80% of homes were built before 1950.
Socioeconomics & Education
Adults in New City have a low level of educational attainment with 53.4% of residents having less than a high school diploma or its equivalent. The poverty level in the Back of the Yards is almost twice the rate of the City of Chicago overall (42.1% living below poverty as compared to 23.7% in Chicago overall). The unemployment rate in the Back of the Yards is 14.9%, significantly higher than the City of Chicago rate of 10.1%. Of those who are employed, most work in Production or Service jobs earning low wages.
How We Help
- Out of School Time (after school/summer support)
- Adult education
- Access to employment
- Human Services supports (energy assistance programs, food distribution, home delivery, senior food program, SNAP/BAN applications, etc.)
- Comprehensive Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Project
- Youth recreation and positive development supports,
- Juvenile Justice and Offender Re-Entry supports,
- Community Development, and Economic Development
- Partnerships with Community Economic Development Association (CEDA)
- Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Safe Haven
- Panera Bread
- Oak Street Health
- Back of the Yards Council
- Greater Chicago Food Depository
- StarFarms
Staff and Volunteers Dedicated to Serving Our Community
At New Eclipse Community Alliance, our strength lies in our passionate team of staff and volunteers. Each member brings unique skills and a shared commitment to uplifting the disenfranchised in our community. Together, we work tirelessly to create a positive impact and foster a sense of belonging for everyone we serve.
Dina
Summer Camp Meal Prep Team
Lanette
Summer Camp Meal Prep Team
Tamika
Program Contact Specialist
Brandon
Safety and Secuity Services
Summer Interns at New Eclipse Community Alliance
Our summer interns bring heart to our community outreach efforts. They bring fresh perspectives and a passion for service, helping us to uplift and empower those in need. Here, you can see the faces behind our initiatives, each dedicated to making a difference in the lives of everyone in our community.
Alyssa
Summer Intern
Antwan
Summer Intern
Jayden
Summer Intern
Jayla
Summer Intern
Esperdell
Summer Intern
John
Summer Intern
Keithus
Summer Intern
Key'on
Summer Intern
