About

History

For over a decade, The Firehouse Community Arts Center has been a beacon of safety and creativity for young people in Chicago. Originating from a vibrant Hip-Hop worship service in 2003, led by Pastor Phil Jackson in North Lawndale, the center quickly grew into a hub for youth from across the city, dedicated to preventing violence through arts and community engagement.

In 2006, inspired by the enthusiastic response, Pastor Phil and partners formalized the center as a 501(c)(3) organization. By 2007, they had acquired the historic Chicago Firehouse, symbolizing their vision for North Lawndale as a model of prosperity, safety, and holistic peace.

Today, The Firehouse offers a diverse range of year-round cultural programs, mentorship, leadership training, and workforce development, all aimed at empowering young adults and interrupting cycles of violence in our community.

Our Mission:

INTERRUPT THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE AMONG YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS IN NORTH LAWNDALE THROUGH THE POWER OF THE ARTS!

Values

Faith

Relentless Hope in our process and its impact.

Hope

Courage to believe that another life is possible.

Love

Love is the motivation of action.

Authenticity

A committed life of transparency, ownership, and wholeness. The less authentic you are, the less whole you are.

Servant-Leadership

We lead from behind while affirming dignity, character, and strength.

Fun

We don’t take our work or ourselves too seriously, holding on to our work with our fingerprints not a grip.

Ownership

We take responsibility for our roles as if everything depends on us.

Trust

The backbone of our humanity together moves at the speed of trust.