The Club
Located at 25 North Karlov in Chicago’s crime-ridden West Garfield Park neighborhood, Off The Street Club provides a safe haven for the boys and girls to come learn, play, laugh, and grow. A place where they can escape their fears of the drugs, gangs, and random violence that they live with on every street, every day.
As one of our girls put it, “My motto is: Leave your fear at the door. When I come into the Club, I’m not scared.”
At Off The Street Club, we are here to provide hope, opportunity, confidence, and guidance to help our kids see a brighter future.
Long-time prior Executive Director Ralph Campagna often shared his favorite quote with those around him saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”
Meet The Kids
“It teaches me how to be a great kid, better athlete, and how to stay out of trouble.”
Brandon Standberry, 12 years old
“I like playing on a team. It builds my character.”
Kanye Conley, 13 years old
“The club allows me to be free to be a kid.”
Khalia Hall, 13 years old
“Making new friends and learning how to be nicer, kind, smart, and to work hard.”
Melayha Morgan, 8 years old
Success Stories
These stories are more than individual achievements, they are the legacy of Off The Street Club. Every child who walks through our doors is met with safety, support, and a group of people who believe in their future.
Over the years, that investment has produced teachers, business owners, military veterans, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and even professional athletes. These remarkable alumni remind us that when children are surrounded by opportunity and encouragement, there is no limit to what they can accomplish.
Carnell Tate
Carnell was selected as the #4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’ll be playing for the Tennessee Titans. A second generation and six year member of the Club, he went on to become a star wide receiver at Ohio State University. Carnell’s mother was a Girl of the Year and Soapbox Derby Champion while at the Club. Carnell and his family share great memories of the special place that supported them and provided safety and love as they grew up.
Porcha Davis
Porcha grew up at Off The Street Club, attending daily for nine years. She participated in Time to Read, Piven Theater Workshop Acting class and our poetry class. Porcha received an Off the Steet Club Scholarship to attend Dillard University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmaceutical Science. She later earned a Masters Degree in clinical research and is working toward a second Masters Degree and a Doctorate in Health Science. Porcha now serves as Program Coordinator for the Institute of Health at Rush Hospital. She is a shining example of what OTSC can do for a child and what a child can do for the Club.
Melvin Martin
Melvin was a daily presence at Off The Street Club for 12 years. He played flag football, basketball and participated in the Soap Box Derby. He once earned the title, Member of the Year. Melvin received an Off The Street Club scholarship which helped him attend Jackson State University where he earned a degree in Mass Communications with a double minor in Graphic Design. Melvin currently works as a Critical Engineer Technician at Stream Data Center. Melvin says he looks forward to his own children joining Off The Street Club.
Raycha Maxwell
Raycha joined Off The Street Club when she was three years old and remained a member for fourteen years. She participated in programs like Tutoring, the Girls Center, Camp Mathieu and working in the Club’s café. Raycha was named our Girl of the Year in 1999. She received an Off The Street Club scholarship and went on to attend Monmouth College and received a teaching certificate from Dominican University. She teaches at KIPP Binary Elementary School, not far from the Club. As a public-school teacher, she says that every day, the experiences and values she learned at Off The Street Club find their way into her classroom lessons.
Fact Sheets
The Club is a place where more than 2,000 kids and young adults living in Chicago have a safe place to learn, laugh, and play without worry.
Download our Fact Sheets to learn more about those programs.