Chicago woman gave so much to the kids of Englewood and gets unexpected gift

CHICAGO - A Chicago woman who has given so much to the children of Englewood received an unexpected gift. 

The story begins with food, as many good stories do.  But this one led to a cornucopia of opportunity.   

The children of Englewood were gifted a new youth center, courtesy of a church in Streeterville.  

"I think we're mindful of the fact that we are all Chicago," said St. James Episcopal parishioner Cynthia Cycon.

Parishioners from St. James Episcopal had been making food pantry deliveries to LaTanya Johnson’s after-school program when they realized the kids didn’t have a safe place to meet.

"When there's a need, I think we need to respond to it, whenever we can," said parishioner Timothy Zeller.

The church donated funds for a new Englewood youth center. All Johnson needed to do was find the real estate. 

"There's tons of violence, and the kids actually have nowhere to play outside … It's just give the kids a sense of hope to know that there's somewhere they can go and be kids," said Johnson about the new center. 

An unlikely partnership with the children of Englewood was at the heart of it all.  

"We all have much more in common than the things that separate us. We all need and have family. We all have and need friends and there are tremendous opportunities to expand your family and expand your friends and really do meaningful work in the city," said Cycon.

To learn more about LaTanya and the Youth of Englewood, visit their Facebook page to see their needs and how you can help.