She has never known her father. Maria has to take care of her younger siblings because her mother works two jobs to make ends meet. The inner city of Chicago is Maria's home. She lives in a run down apartment building in the Humboldt Park area. Her neighborhood is like a war zone.
Gang warfare is ever present.
In fact, she has had at least one friend killed in a gang related shooting. Maria is a good girl who needs the hope that Jesus Christ can bring. She has started attending our after school program where she is learning about Jesus in Bible studies. She also has the opportunity to sing Christian songs and have fun with other inner city boys and girls in a safe, non-threatening environment. Maria and other young people like her need your support each month.