Beyond the Ball

Beyond the Ball We've been in existence since 2000. Programming is very intentional about going beyond just giving youth something to do. That's not what we are looking for.

Beyond the Ball is an organization that uses the power of sport to change lives, give hope, reclaim space and develop a culture of opportunities for youth and families in Chicago. Sports leagues and clinics grow youth into leaders. Classes, experience trips and mentoring give students practical skills and ideas for success in life. Community events help organize citizens to make positive neighborh

ood changes. We develop youth and the community through programs that change the negative norms present in our neighborhood and replace them with a positive culture. As youth move throughout our programs, their level of ownership in the community increases. We challenge the accepted negative norms of the community and try to replace those with a positive culture. By the time youth reach adulthood, they have become community stakeholders, capable of contributing to the positive culture of the community. People often talk about "getting out" of their neighborhood. Why take skills and talents to places that already have resources? We want to see youth gain skills and abilities they can then contribute to their communities. We want to see not only individuals lives transformed, but communities changed. Beyond the Ball can point to many of our alumni as proof of our success. Several of the youth involved since Beyond the Ball's inception are now attending or have graduated college. Many have returned to the West Side and found employment, bringing stability to the community. In addition, areas formerly dominated by gang activity have started to shift back to being owned by the community, and used by the public as originally intended.

Good evening everyone. Kick off your Memorial Day weekend with us this Friday at Project Play. We’ll have food, games, a...
05/21/2026

Good evening everyone. Kick off your Memorial Day weekend with us this Friday at Project Play. We’ll have food, games, art, music and another great movie. Hope to see you all there! ☀️🎨⚽️

Buenas tardes a todos. Comiesen su fin de semana de Memorial Day con nosotros este viernes en Project Play. Tendremos comida, juegos, arte, música, y otra buena película. ¡Esperamos verlos todos ahí! ☀️🎨⚽️

Girls Night Out at Project Play 💜✨ From little girls to grandmothers—a night full of joy, movement, and creativity. Yoga...
05/19/2026

Girls Night Out at Project Play 💜✨
From little girls to grandmothers—a night full of joy, movement, and creativity.
Yoga, art, nails, games, music and community all in one space. This is what it looks like when girls and women have a place to feel safe, seen and celebrated. 💫

Noche de Chicas en Project Play 💜✨
De niñas chiquitas hasta abuelitas—una noche llena de alegría, movimiento, y creatividad.
Yoga, arte, uñas, juegos, música y comunidad en un solo espacio. Así se ve cuando las niñas y mujeres se sienten seguras, vistas y celebradas. 💫

We hope you all had an amazing Mother’s Day weekend. Thank you all to all the amazing moms and families who came out to ...
05/12/2026

We hope you all had an amazing Mother’s Day weekend. Thank you all to all the amazing moms and families who came out to celebrate with us at Project Play last Friday. Your energy, joy, and love made the day truly special. It is always a pleasure to celebrate in community. 💐🎻🌮❤️

Esperamos que todos tuvieron un fin de semana de Día de las Madres estupendo. Gracias a todas las maravillosas madres y familias que nos acompañaron a celebrar en Project Play el viernes pasado. Su energía, felicidad, y amor hicieron el día muy especial. Siempre es un placer celebrar en comunidad. 💐🎻🌮❤️

Good evening everybody. We want to invite you all to our Project Play event this Friday. Kick off your Mother’s Day week...
05/06/2026

Good evening everybody. We want to invite you all to our Project Play event this Friday. Kick off your Mother’s Day weekend in celebration with us. We’ll have mariachi, taquiza, games, flowers and a movie. Bring the whole family. Hope to see you all there! 🌺 🎻💕

Buenas tardes a todos. Queremos invitarlos a nuestro evento de Project Play este viernes. Empiece el fin de semana de Día de las Madres en celebración con nosotros. Tendremos mariachi, taquiza, juegos, flores y una película. Traigan a toda la familia. ¡Esperamos verlos ahí! 🌺🎻💕

Huge thank you to the and for inviting our youth out to an unforgettable basketball clinic last night. We were about ...
03/04/2026

Huge thank you to the and for inviting our youth out to an unforgettable basketball clinic last night. We were about to take some of our 4th-8th grade basketball players who had an amazing time learning, hooping, and being inspired. Moments like these remind our kids how far hard work and community support can take them.

02/18/2026
Good evening everybody. We hope your year is off to an amazing start. We want to invite you all to our Project Play this...
02/12/2026

Good evening everybody. We hope your year is off to an amazing start. We want to invite you all to our Project Play this Friday 2/13. Join us for some food, games, music and art. Hope to see you all there! 🩷🫔⚽️

Buenas noches a todos. Esperamos que su año comienzo de manera increíble. Queremos invitarlos todos a nuestro evento de Project Play este viernes 2/13. Acompáñenos a disfrutar de buena comida, juegos, música, y arte. ¡Esperamos verlos todos ahí! 🩷🫔⚽️

02/03/2026

Our National Recreation Foundation strategic planning cohort is off and running!

PlanPerfect’s current strategic planning cohort is sponsored by the National Recreation Foundation (NRF). NRF offered the opportunity to their grantees, and five remarkable nonprofits—Beyond the Ball, Chill Foundation, Families in Nature, LOOP NOLA, and West Atlanta Watershed Alliance—raised their hands. NRF supports charitable organizations that foster positive youth development and increase access for young people to play, explore, learn, and grow in the outdoors.

“It’s an honor to work with the five outstanding nonprofits that are grantees of the National Recreation Foundation. These organizations are expanding access to sport, recreation, and outdoor education. PlanPerfect’s cohort model supports clear planning while also building camaraderie, energy, and a shared sense of momentum.” - Sophia Shaw, PlanPerfect Cofounder

Good evening everybody. We want to invite you all to join us tomorrow for our last Project Play of the year. Join us for...
12/19/2025

Good evening everybody. We want to invite you all to join us tomorrow for our last Project Play of the year. Join us for games, music, crafts, tamales y champurrado. Hope to see you all there! 🎄☃️❄️

Buenas tardes a todos. Queremos invitarlos a todos a que nos acompañen a nuestro ultimo Project Play del año. Acompáñenos a disfrutar de juegos, música, crafts, tamales y champurrado. ¡Esperamos verlos todos ahí! 🎄☃️❄️

Address

3000 S. Lawndale Avenue
Chicago, IL
60623

Telephone

+17738476207

Website

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