United Church of Rogers Park

Chicago is home to thousands of multi-talented youth who have ambitious dreams of transforming the future into a positive world shaped by outstanding art. Due to the unjust distribution of resources, many of these bright minds will unfortunately never get the chance to live out their dreams. The scarcity of quality extra curricular activities and opportunities in America’s Black and brown communities has left many youth to turn to the streets and become a product of their environment. Since 2011, Circles & Ciphers has created space for young people impacted by the criminal justice system and community violence to gather in hip-hop centric peace circles, build community, and heal.


Circles & Ciphers will build a professional recording studio dubbed "Kaba Studios" to honor our co-founder Mariame Kaba's contribution to the organization. The word "kaaba" has islamic origin, pinpointing the holy structure in Mecca. We plan to implement more programming in order to provide more opportunities for our young people. This studio will be built inside the United Church of Rogers Park and will be a safe space where youth will be able to create art while growing as leaders, cultivating their skills as practitioners of restorative justice, and developing new avenues for healing. Additionally, the recording studio will provide job opportunities for formerly incarcerated youth and upcoming artists with the vision and creativity to build a more just world. 

We have already have a starting donation through a grant from Illinois Humanities and would love to expand on the support that we have already gotten in building the studio.

Join forces with Circles & Ciphers by donating to our “Circles & Sessions” fundraiser campaign. With your help we can form the next generation of impactful artists and community leaders. Donate Today!


https://vimeo.com/354117248

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We've raised what we need!
 Through a combination of community donations, grants that we were anonymously nominated for, church members, and you, we got it done.
We can't thank all of you enough. If you would still  like to donate, all proceeds will go to other repairs needed on the building. 



After work on the water main the City of Chicago informed United Church of Rogers Park that we need to upgrade our plumbing connection to be in compliance. Unfortunately this work is fairly extensive and expensive and needs to be done quickly so that our water is not shut off.

United Church of Rogers Park has always been a safe place for the most vulnerable, from our free after school and summer kids programs, Community Feast which feeds about 100 of neighbors every week, the restorative justice work of Circles and Ciphers, our work for LGBTQIA justice and the many, many community organizations that come through our doors, this building has played a part in making our community healthier and safer for decades.

But we can’t be a safe space without safe, drinkable water so we are asking the community to help us, please donate whatever you can so that we can continue the important work of love and justice on the corner of Morse and Ashland.