Motorola magic in North Lawndale

A before and after image of the garden at CYC-Epstein.

Last month, Motorola Solutions Foundation created CYC’s very own “Miracle on 13th Place,” – that’s what Clarence Hogan, the Center Director at CYC-Sidney Epstein Youth Center in North Lawndale, calls the incredible transformation at the Center.

As one of 40 projects around the globe during Motorola Solutions’ Global Months of Service, Motorola employees refreshed and reimagined several key spaces at CYC-Epstein. The volunteers repainted and upgraded two teen rooms with new furniture, cleaned up and revitalized the garden, organized multiple storage spaces, and are in the process of painting a vibrant new mural. Additionally, Motorola Solutions donated 20 new laptops for student and staff use.

More than 60 volunteers and a donation of $20,000 to fund the project made this amazing transformation possible. Click here for a video depicting the before and after of several of these spaces.

“I was excited to participate in Motorola Solutions’ Day of Service at the Sidney Epstein Youth

Center,” said Andrea Bell, the Volunteer Program Coordinator at Motorola Solutions Foundation. “My hope is that the renovations and donations from Motorola Solutions Foundation will encourage youth to continue visiting the Center by providing them with a welcoming and modern space to learn, hang-out and ultimately, encourage their success.”

Clarence said he was shocked not just by the generosity of Motorola Solutions’ financial gift, but also the support and consideration they provided while undertaking this project. Local teen interest in the spaces have had an uptick with the changes.

“At the end of the day, I hope that our students can see how important it is to give back,” Clarence said. “We might not have $20,000, but we do have shovels to help seniors during the winter months and so on. This should be a reciprocated process.”

Damarcus, 15, loves the new teen spaces.

“I like it because you could not focus in the old room,” he said. “Everyone used to fight over chairs, and it’s more enjoyable now.”

Tanya Staggers, Childcare Director at the Center, said she is very enthusiastic for the mural, which will be installed in the Center’s Early Learning outdoor play area.

“I’m excited about the mural because it brings so many smiles to the kids’ faces,” Tanya said.

Thank you so much for your generosity, Motorola Solutions Foundation! We are incredibly excited for the memories that our kids and families will make in the gorgeous new spaces.