Rooted in Chicago. Driven by Community. Focused on Transforming Lives.
Team Outreach Services began with a simple but powerful conviction: lasting change happens when people from the community lead the work of restoring and strengthening the community. Our founders — Torrence Cook, Aaron Boyd,, and Oji Eggleston — all grew up in the very neighborhoods they now serve. They know the realities faced by at-risk youth, job-seekers, struggling families, and underserved communities across Chicago. And they know the power of hope, opportunity, and support.
Team Outreach Services exists to build that bridge—to create pathways so individuals, families, and entire neighborhoods can rise.
Our Mission
To strengthen communities by empowering youth and adults through workforce development, leadership training, wellness support, and community-based initiatives in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods.
We believe that when people are equipped with skills, supported through meaningful relationships, and given access to opportunity, lives change. And when lives change, communities change.
We believe this work leads directly to violence prevention, safer neighborhoods, and stronger, more resilient communities — through empowerment, stability, and hope. By addressing root causes such as unemployment, lack of opportunity, and disconnection, Team Outreach Services helps build environments where individuals can thrive and communities can flourish.
Our Story: Born from the Community We Serve
From Neighborhood Influence to Community Impact
Torrence Cook
Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, Torrence was surrounded by the challenges many young people face every day. By the age of 11, he was unexpectedly placed in a leadership role within a neighborhood gang—responsible for more than 150 kids ages 9 to 19. But instead of leading them deeper into trouble, Torrence used his influence to lift others up. He organized the kids to help elderly residents, clean shared spaces, and look out for vulnerable neighbors.
That experience changed him forever. It taught him that leadership doesn’t have to come from titles—it comes from responsibility, compassion, and vision. As a co-founder, that same drive fuels his work in mentoring youth, building safe spaces, and helping restore hope across Chicago’s neighborhoods.
From The Streets to Solutions—Building Stronger Communities
Aaron Boyd
Aaron Boyd is a lifelong Chicagoan whose work is deeply rooted in the Black communities, including the former Ickes Housing Projects and the West Side of Chicago. Through sports, music, and street-level marketing, Aaron learned early how culture, relationships, and mentorship shape choices—guiding him away from gangs and toward leadership and positive influence. His experience as a grassroots marketer and “street sociologist” led to a nine-year career with Adidas and later to developing basketball-based mentoring programs that engaged youth, empowered residents, and strengthened neighborhoods. As a co-founder of Team Outreach Services, Aaron is committed to serving the community year-round by removing financial barriers, creating positive alternatives for at-risk youth, and helping individuals at critical decision points choose peace, opportunity, and purpose—laying the foundation for safer communities across Chicago.
Shaped by a Neighborhood that Reflected the City
Oji Eggleston
Oji grew up in and around a neighborhood that represents Chicago in microcosm: diverse, vibrant, complex, and full of contrasts. From University of Chicago academics to nearby affordable housing and Chicago Housing Authority communities, Oji learned early that life outcomes often depend on access, opportunity, and the presence of someone who believes in you.
From youth sports to community leadership roles, he saw how mentorship, positive environments, and consistent support could change the trajectory for young people. His passion is driven by lived experience: every young person deserves a chance to thrive, no matter their zip code.
What We Do
Team Outreach Services strengthens communities through three core areas:
Workforce Development
We help individuals gain job readiness skills, secure employment, and build long-term career pathways. Our programs support teens, young adults, and adults looking to stabilize and advance their lives.
Community Organizing & Leadership Development
We come alongside residents to identify local needs, mobilize resources, and cultivate the next generation of neighborhood leaders. From conflict mediation to civic engagement, we empower people to make their communities stronger.
Wellness & Life Skills Training
We address the root causes of instability by offering practical training in financial literacy, health and wellness, conflict resolution, stress management, and life navigation.
We do this work with the community—not for it. That distinction matters. Our founders are trusted voices in Chicago neighborhoods because they have lived these realities firsthand.
Why Our Work Matters
Chicago’s underserved communities face persistent barriers:
- High rates of youth unemployment
- Limited access to career training
- Generational trauma and instability
- Lack of safe, consistent support networks
- Decreasing local opportunities for young people
Every program we run is designed to directly confront these barriers. Our approach is relational, culturally rooted, and data-informed—offering real solutions that meet the real needs of real people.
This work is not just necessary—it is urgent!
Our Commitment
We are committed to:
- Building stronger, safer communities
- Empowering youth with leadership and life skills
- Supporting families through practical, hands-on services
- Creating workforce pathways that break cycles of poverty
- Providing programs that reflect and respect Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods
Our founders are proof that transformation is possible. And they are determined to make sure the next generation has even more opportunities to thrive.