Our Vision
The vision of “We Strive for Change Chicago Organization,” led by Executive Director Miguel Mendez, is to transform lives through the power of outdoor sports and dedicated mentorship. We support individuals facing challenges such as mental wellness issues, PTSD, trauma, and youth and gang involvement prevention.
By offering therapeutic experiences through activities like rock climbing, kayaking, horseback riding, and other outdoor sports, we aim to provide hope and brighter futures. Having personally experienced the life-changing benefits of outdoor therapy and one-on-one mentoring, we are committed to giving others the same opportunities for transformation.
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![Group of six people holding paddles and standing in front of a red kayak, outdoors on a grassy area with trees and blue sky.]()
Kayaking
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![People wearing climbing helmets and harnesses on a high ropes course, with colorful handholds on a vertical wall below.]()
Rock Climbing
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![A woman riding a brown horse with a white snip on its nose outdoors with green trees in the background.]()
Horseback Riding
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![Two boys are by a lake with a wooded hillside in the background. One boy is sitting on rocks, wearing a blue shirt and a black cap. The other boy is standing on rocks, wearing a patterned shirt, dark pants, and a cap, holding a fishing rod.]()
Fishing
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![Five hikers in a forest with large rocks and trees, two sitting and three standing, smiling and posing for the camera.]()
Hiking
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![A campsite with tents set up on a grassy area surrounded by trees on a rainy day. A small fire burns in a metal fire pit in the foreground, with a picnic table nearby.]()
Camping
