Sam Shipko in front of his alma mater, New Trier High School. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER/JWC MEDIA
Northfield native Sam Shipko finds inspiration in quotes that he applies to his life as a volunteer at the nonprofit Lost Boyz Inc., which serves at-risk youth in Chicago’s South Shore community.
In particular, Shipko drew inspiration from the motto of his alma mater, New Trier High School, from which he graduated in 2014: “to commit minds to inquiry, hearts to compassion, and lives to the service of humanity.”
Now a junior at DePaul University in Chicago, Shipko said his New Trier teachers encouraged him to give back to the community, serve those less fortunate and work to make a change in the lives of others.
At New Trier, Shipko volunteered as a senior helper, where he served as a mentor for a freshman advisory group and also tutored elementary students through a social service group. Through those experiences Shipko discovered how following New Trier’s motto can be rewarding. “I just really liked working with the kids,” he told DailyNorthShore.
So when he learned about Lost Boyz on the professional networking site LinkedIn, Shipko was intrigued by the group’s commitment to transforming the lives of at-risk youth in Chicago’s South Shore community. Unsure where South Shore was even located, Shipko decided to contact Lost Boyz Executive Director LaVonte Stewart directly, who invited him to meet in person. “He brought me in right away and made me feel like family,” Shipko said.
Stewart started Lost Boyz in 2008 to give back to the community where he grew up. Through baseball and softball Little League programs, the group mentors and teaches cultural awareness and civic engagement to girls and boys from the South Shore neighborhood. Shipko said Lost Boyz not only competes in Little League programs where participants play games all over Chicago, but it also encourages civic engagement through such as activities as partnering with the Chicago Police Department, cleaning up local parks and providing academic tutoring.
Sam Shipko, pictured center back, with students from Lost Boyz Inc.
“One of the coolest things about sports is how (it can be used) as a platform to teach hard work, perseverance, overcoming obstacles, dedication and how to accomplish a task in a team setting,” Shipko said.
While Shipko is busy as a full-time student studying finance at DePaul, he still finds time to volunteer with Lost Boyz two to three times a week at a South Shore community center. Shipko serves as a mentor, provides tutoring and helps out with coaching. He also schedules virtual tutoring sessions, so he can provide assistance to kids who can’t make the in-person sessions.
Shipko has made real connections at Lost Boyz and is invested in helping these kids transform their futures. He’s currently helping one high school student with college and financial applications, as well as planning a trip to the University of Illinois at Chicago, where the student hopes to attend. “I truly value working with the kids and forming relationships. We have an opportunity to make a change,” Shipko said.
The experience has been eye-opening for Shipko, who has learned to appreciate the advantages of growing up on the North Shore. He is also appreciative of the opportunity provided by Stewart who has also served as a mentor in stewardship. “(Stewart) has given me an opportunity to grow as an individual and as someone who wants to help the community,” Shipko said.
Shipko hopes that other students growing up on the North Shore will be inspired to give back to those less fortunate. “Find an organization or a group that you are passionate about and contact that organization to get involved,” he said.
And he remains deeply committed to the Lost Boyz mission. “The biggest thing that keeps me going at Lost Boyz is that I believe it has limitless possibility,” Shipko said.
For more information about Lost Boyz Inc. go to www.lostboyzinc.org.