IAYV
INC
I Am Your Village 501(c)(3)
Equity. Safety. Opportunity. Built from the ground up
Equity. Safety. Opportunity. Built from the ground up
Our Story
IAYV (I Am Your Village) was born from a simple truth: no one thrives alone. In neighborhoods across country, we saw the brilliance of young people, the resilience of elders, and the potential of communities held back by disinvestment…NOT by lack of talent or will.
We created IAYV to be a bridge. A space where youth, adults, and seniors could connect across generations to build safety, opportunity, and equity, TOGETHER. From mentorship and workforce development to creative expression and healing, our work meets people where they are and helps them move forward.
We empower today’s leaders with the tools to make change and invest in the next generation by encouraging them to see themselves as visionaries, creators, and agents of possibility.
This isn’t charity. It’s community. And we are the village.
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100% of your donations
go directly to building equity, safety, and opportunity in our communities.
Chicago - South Side Sanctuary
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South Side Sanctuary is a 13,000-square-foot community space on Chicago’s South Side that was fully designed, developed, and is now operated by IAYV INC (I Am Your Village). Our nonprofit leads every step of the process with a focus on equity, inclusion, and impact. We specialize in turning underused spaces into vibrant places that center community voice and serve multiple generations.
At the Sanctuary, we bring together wellness, mental health, arts and culture, entrepreneurship, and workforce development all under one roof. The space includes pop-up retail areas, an indoor skateboarding zone, classrooms, youth programs, and flexible space for events, performances, and recreation. It’s one of the only spaces in Chicago where a young person can learn how to build a brand, train for a job, explore creative expression, and take part in sports and movement in the same place.
Our work is grounded in partnerships with local residents, small businesses, and philanthropic organizations who understand that good design can build stronger, healthier communities. We don’t just fill space. We create places where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow.
If you’re looking to create a space that blends culture, care, and innovation, IAYV offers the experience and vision to bring that to life. Whether it’s a wellness hub, a youth center, or a corridor activation, we build with purpose and in collaboration with the communities we serve.