Youth Spotlight: J.N.

Update from August 28, 2025: J.N. received the keys to his apartment today! He is waiting to receive furniture from Chicago Furniture Bank and will then be ready to move in on his own!

J.N. grew up on the South Side of Chicago, where he spent most of his life surrounded by both the joys of family along with the challenges of a neighborhood shaped by hardship. He graduated high school in 2017, but the instability of his home life prevented him from obtaining his GED.

In May 2024, J.N. made a life-altering decision: he left home to protect his family from escalating gang violence. He spent nearly three months living on the streets. “I had to survive,” he says. “I used stores' Wi-Fi to apply for jobs, stretched my money, and stayed near my job site just to stay hopeful.” He recalls the difficulty of trying to sleep outside facing the elements, especially rain.

One day, a former coworker recognized him near where he was staying and offered him a place to stay temporarily. That simple act of kindness became a turning point. Through this connection, J.N. was introduced to The Night Ministry, where he could rest at night, and to CHIL, where he began spending his days in our drop-in center.

Determined to move forward, J.N. threw himself into rebuilding his life. He secured his state ID, registered for selective service, renewed his birth certificate, and even registered to vote. He also landed a job at a coffee shop after interviewing in April—and was hired on the spot. “I like it here. It’s much better than sleeping outside," he laughs. "The staff here are doing everything they can to help.”

Recognizing his drive, the CHIL team offered J.N. a spot in our interim housing program in August. Salaam, one of CHIL's Education and Employment Counselors, played a key role in helping him secure the job he now enjoys. J.N. continues to show up each day with determination and a positive outlook.

His dream? To design art for video games. He’s particularly a huge fan of the Halo franchise. “Perseverance is extremely valuable,” J.N. says. “The more you let things get to you... it will get to you if you let it. Teamwork and perseverance go hand in hand.”