Sabathani 2025 in Review – What a Year
As we look back on 2025, one thing is abundantly clear: community was at the heart of everything we did. From joyful celebrations and healing spaces to workforce pathways and housing stability, this year reflected what’s possible when neighbors, partners, staff, and supporters come together with shared purpose.
We are deeply grateful to our community members, partners, artists, volunteers, and supporters who made this year one of connection, resilience, and forward momentum.
Whole-Person Health & Wellness
Health and wellness programming in 2025 centered joy, accessibility, and prevention. Community members gathered weekly for movement-based offerings like Tai Chi, yoga (including accessible and intergenerational classes), pickleball, soul line dancing, Walking Club, Latin dance, and more – creating welcoming spaces to move, breathe, and connect.
We also hosted vaccine clinics, a Community Health & Wellness Fair, and special gatherings such as the Breast Cancer Survivor Luncheon. Together, these programs supported physical health while fostering belonging and collective care.
Aging Well, Together
Sabathani remained a vibrant hub for older adults seeking connection, creativity, and lifelong learning. Coffee conversations, technology support clinics, card games, movie matinees, and themed clubs provided consistent social touchpoints throughout the year.
Signature moments included the Starry Night Senior Prom, holiday luncheons, and the beloved Vintage Voices choir – in partnership with VocalEssence – bringing elders together for weekly rehearsals, public concerts, and a joyful anniversary celebration. Educational workshops, nutrition talks, and cultural cooking classes rounded out a year focused on curiosity, dignity, and joy at every age.
Youth, Creativity & Leadership
Young people continued to find safe, affirming space at Sabathani through Open Gym, Game Nights, and creative wellness programming. Leadership and confidence were nurtured through the youth ambassadors program, Southside Creative Wellness Group, Pathways to Peace De-escalation Training, and community showcases like Showtime at the Sabathani. These programs supported youth not only in recreation, but in self-expression, leadership, and emotional well-being.
Maternal Health & Family Care
Through Maternal Health Matters, Sabathani supported Black mothers and families during the perinatal and early parenting journey. Programs such as Mamas in Motion, Mommies & Mocktails, Sister Circles, home visiting services, doula training, and multiple Community Baby Showers created spaces of education, rest, and celebration.
Brunches, resource fairs, and support groups reinforced a simple truth: thriving families need community, not just services.
Roots: Strengthening Black Families
Roots: The Black Family Foundation deepened family connection through intergenerational activities and family-centered events. From the Black Family Course and Wellness Healing Circles to movie nights and creative family workshops, Roots programming focused on strengthening relationships and honoring lived experience.
Economic Pathways & Workforce Opportunity
Sabathani continued to support economic stability through job training, career exploration, and one-on-one coaching. Community members accessed forklift training, solar certification, paid skill-development programs, job fairs, and industry info sessions. Workforce efforts emphasized access, dignity, and long-term opportunity – particularly in growing fields like clean energy and healthcare.
Culture, Art & Black Excellence
Art and culture were central to Sabathani’s identity in 2025. Through the Black Excellence Experience, artist residencies brought creativity, storytelling, and reflection into community spaces. Performances, exhibitions, concerts, and cultural celebrations reinforced the role of art as healing, resistance, and joy. Large-scale events, such as Sabathani Energy Day, the Sabathani Block Party, Southside Heroes Hall unveiling, holiday markets, and live concerts, brought thousands together across generations and neighborhoods.
Food Access, Mutual Aid & Giving Back
Sabathani’s Food Distribution Center and Clothing Closet served 80 to 100 people daily and transitioned to an appointment-based system to improve access. Community generosity fueled food and clothing drives, three blood drives, toy and coat giveaways, backpack distribution, smoke alarm installations, and year-end giving to keep the food shelf stocked into 2026.
Housing Stability & Homelessness Prevention
In 2025, Sabathani’s housing programs helped prevent homelessness for nearly 100 households and supported dozens of individuals and families in securing stable housing. Through prevention assistance, youth housing services, school-linked stabilization, and permanent supportive housing, our team paired financial support with ongoing case management – connecting households to food access, workforce services, and family supports. These integrated efforts strengthened both housing stability and long-term well-being.
Energy Resilience & Looking Forward
This year marked a milestone in Sabathani’s Community Energy Project, representing the culmination of over ten years of planning based on community input. We broke ground on a fully funded geothermal heating and cooling system, with solar and battery storage installations planned for 2026. These investments will reduce costs, increase resilience, improve air quality, and create workforce training opportunities rooted in sustainability.
With Gratitude — and an Invitation
None of this work happens alone. We extend heartfelt thanks to our staff, board, partners, funders, artists, and community members who continue to believe in Sabathani as a place of care, culture, and possibility.
As we look toward 2026, we invite you to join us – by participating, partnering, volunteering, or making a gift. Your support ensures Sabathani remains a vibrant community anchor for generations to come.
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