Life Directions

Our Story

Life Directions’ Vision is Peers Inspiring Peers Through Forgiving.

Life Directions was born out of the issue of violence. The founders of Life Directions arrived at the intuitive understanding that it was necessary to “get to the cause of the violence.” As a result, the dynamic vision of “Peers Inspiring Peers through Forgiving” was forged.

This vision of “Peers Inspiring Peers through Forgiving” was brought to life through a series of onging neighborhood based discussions directed at determining the causes of violence with people who were directly experiencing its effects as well as those who were causing the violence in their communities (e.g. local gangs).

Many of the young people we have mentored not only changed their lives for the better, but have created a positive impact in their communities.  Check out their amazing stories at our Peer Inspirations Blog

Become Involved

Become Involved with Life Directions!

Volunteers are the life blood of Life Directions’ programs. Find out more about joining Life Directions in its goal of helping young adults. Volunteer today!

Alyssa Hernandez

Life Directions Peer Animator & Western International High School Alumna

Life Directions and School Dropout Prevention

For over 30 years, in the context of its three major programs, Life Directions has helped to keep thousands of students in schools, especially in the critical transition from 8th grade to high school.

School Dropout Prevention – Click here to learn more.

Through independent evaluations measuring the effectiveness of Life Directions’ programs, researchers at Loyola University, the University of Michigan, and Chicago Public Schools all concluded as a result of their participation in the Peer Motivation and Peer Mentor Programs, high school and 8th grade students grow in both academic and social outcomes:

• 93% of eighth-graders stay in school.
• 82% increased their percentile rank in mathematics.
• 62% increased their percentile rank in reading comprehension.
• 74% increased taking responsibility for their future (increase in internal focus of control).
• 68% are more likely to consider consequences before acting.
• 68% increase involvement in school activities.
• 67% get along better with others.

Now, those are numbers that make a real difference in the lives of youth, young adults, and families.

The Peaceable Gardens Project

Last Year Life Directions completed, Chicago’s first “Garden of Forgiveness” on the corner of Van Buren and Central Park in East Garfield Park. It was very successful and we dedicated the Garden to Hands of Peace Students visiting Chicago from Israel and Palestine. Hands of Peace provides our youth an opportunity to hear how teens from the Middle East are working to resolve long standing conflicts through dialogue with each other. It also gives our youth the opportunity to tell their story about how violence has affected them. Together they inspire each other to create alternatives to violence through the value of forgiveness, reconciliation and conflict transformation.