Hey Benji Foundation was built from something real—love, loss, and a deep commitment to show up for youth who don’t always have access to opportunity.

Founded in Englewood, Hey Benji exists to make sure young people are seen, supported, and set up to succeed. What started as one children’s book—Benji Learns Kindness—has grown into a movement that feeds, teaches, and employs youth across Chicago’s South Side.

Every summer, we provide free meals to youth up to age 24, because no child should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. But we don’t stop there.

We invest in the whole child.

Through our Social Emotional Learning programs, youth learn confidence, self-awareness, and how to navigate life with intention. Through our Workforce Development program, teens and young adults gain real work experience, financial literacy, and career exposure—building skills that change their future.

This work isn’t theory. It’s impact.
Meals served. Youth employed. Confidence built. Futures shifted.

But we can’t do it alone.

Why We Ride

This Ride for Charity isn’t just an event—it’s an opportunity to stand in the gap for our youth.

When you ride with Hey Benji, you’re not just cycling miles—you’re helping fund:

Free meals for youth all summer long
Paid work opportunities for teens and young adults
Programs that build confidence, leadership, and life skills

Every rider becomes a fundraiser. Every dollar raised becomes a direct investment in a young person’s future.

How You Can Show Up

👉 Ride with us – Join Team Hey Benji and fundraise alongside us
👉 Donate – Every contribution helps us reach more youth
👉 Share our mission – Help us grow the movement

We’re building something bigger than a program—we’re building access, opportunity, and hope.

And the truth is, we need people who are willing to do more than watch.

Be a rider. Be a supporter. Be part of the impact.

Let’s ride for something that actually matters.

Ride for Hey Benji!

Let's Ride for Hey Benji Foundation!

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Team Members