About Us

Our Mission

JBlendz Enterprises is a Chicago-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community. Our mission is to enhance neighborhood infrastructure, empower residents, and promote economic growth. Through collaboration with local stakeholders, we strive to create a safe, accessible, and thriving environment where individuals and families can live, work, and grow together while preserving the unique character and culture of the neighborhood for future generations.

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At the heart of our efforts is RIVERDALE 137, a community campus where transformative programs and services will be launched to meet the pressing needs of Chicago’s far south side. Our initiatives include:

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• Mind Care Alzheimer's Screening and Resource Center – Providing Alzheimer's support, a licensed adult day center, caregiver training, support groups, and outreach programs to address the lack of dementia care options in the area.

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• Empower Skills Training Center – A workforce development agency offering hands-on courses in solar energy, telecommunications, construction, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing to bridge the critical skills gap in trade industries.

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• TechAccess Hub – A public computer center ensuring digital access and literacy for all community members.

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• Positive Outcome Center – Offering mental health and social services to promote emotional well-being and stability.

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• Grub Bag Food Pantry – Addressing food insecurity in an area classified as a “food desert,” providing nutritious food to those in need.

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• Purple Panda Arts Studio – A youth performing arts program designed to offer safe and engaging creative outlets, from music and dance lessons to roller skating and instrument practice rooms.

Addressing Critical Community Needs

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The Mind Care Alzheimer's Screening and Resource Center will serve as a beacon of support for families grappling with dementia care challenges. With limited resources available, caregivers experience high burnout rates, and seniors lack access to specialized care. Our 20,000-square-foot facility will be the only dedicated Alzheimer's center within a 30-mile radius, filling a vital gap for the far south side of Chicago.

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Through the Grub Bag Food Pantry, we are tackling the public health crisis of food insecurity. Hunger is on the rise in Chicago, especially in Riverdale/Altgeld Gardens. Our partnerships with sponsors and food distributors will ensure that healthy food reaches families who need it most.

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Our social service programs and activities extend beyond traditional support services. We are committed to fostering creativity and emotional resilience through arts and music programs such as “Youth Legion of Tunes,” a DJ workshop for kids, and Positive Outcome, a social-emotional learning initiative for the community.

Strategic Partnerships & Workforce Development

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JBlendz Enterprises is proud to collaborate with the Chicago Park District, Youth Guidance and University of Chicago Urban Labs to bring essential resources and expertise to Chicagoland communities. These partnerships strengthen our ability to serve residents and create lasting change.

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With employers struggling to find qualified workers in solar energy, construction and telecommunications industries, while job seekers lack access to training, our Empower Skills Training Center will bridge the skills gap. Our workforce development programs are designed with industry input to ensure graduates are job-ready, boosting economic mobility and community stability.

Bringing Culture & Opportunity to the 10th Ward

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Riverdale has limited entertainment and recreational options for youth outside of Altgeld Gardens. The Purple Panda Arts Studio will provide a creative and engaging space where kids can explore their artistic talents in a safe and affordable environment.

Additionally, we are actively working with local schools, including Aldridge Elementary and Carver Primary, to strengthen educational and enrichment opportunities for students.

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Our Commitment to the Community

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JBlendz Enterprises is determined to build an institution that is diverse, inclusive, and deeply rooted in the needs of the community. We are committed to:

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• Providing safe spaces for children after school

• Offering career training and workforce development

• Combating food insecurity

• Enhancing emotional well-being through social-emotional learning programs

• Enriching the community with arts, culture, and special events

By establishing RIVERDALE 137, we are creating a hub of opportunity and growth in a designated opportunity zone. Our mission is to uplift and empower residents, ensuring that Chicago’s far south side thrives for generations to come.

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St. Mary of the

Assumption Restoration

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In 2022, Joe Hall, founder of JBlendz Enterprises and a Chicago DJ and entrepreneur, purchased the long-vacant St. Mary of the Assumption church and school campus at auction with a clear mission: to transform the campus into a hub for workforce development and community revitalization. What began as a practical search for space to house hands-on training programs in telecom fiber installation, solar energy, and roadway safety quickly took on deeper meaning when the site’s profound connection to Pope Leo XIV emerged. This is the very parish in Riverdale where the future pope attended grade school, served as an altar boy, and sang in the choir during the 1960s. Decades after the parish closed in 2011, the seven-building campus had fallen into severe disrepair — weathered brick, a large hole in the roof, and years of neglect — while the surrounding Riverdale neighborhood on Chicago’s Far South Side continues to face significant challenges, including food insecurity addressed through local food pantries and its designation as an Opportunity Zone. Saving and restoring this landmark honors both a piece of living papal history and a community in need.

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Our long-term vision for RIVERDALE 137 and St. Mary of the Assumption is to create a vibrant, multi-purpose community hub that preserves the sacred and architectural legacy of the church while delivering tangible opportunity for local residents. Phase 1 of the Pope Leo XIV Legacy Campaign, targeted for completion by January 2027, will make the entire campus weather-tight, fully renovate the 13,594 sq ft education wing, complete electrical and fiber infrastructure upgrades, install a 250 kW / 500 kWh BESS battery system with solar integration, and restore the historic Oratory. These foundational improvements will immediately enable the launch and expansion of high-quality workforce training programs, allowing participants to earn certifications in growing fields such as telecom fiber, solar installation, and roadway work zone safety. Ultimately, the restored campus will stand as a beacon of renewal — blending faith, history, and practical skills training to empower South Side residents, reduce food insecurity through expanded pantry services, and build lasting economic hope for generations in Riverdale.