Stephany Price

Stephany has been involved in the Washington Park Youth Program since it began in 1995. She was raised in the Washington Park, --- by most measures of health, education & social resources, clearly one of Chicago’s most high-need areas. Stephany started attending CYP after seeing a flyer in her school. She participated in tutoring and career development and was mentored each weekend by successful professional women. Later, she helped launch the Children Teaching Children (CTC) program in Washington Park (funded by CDBG Family Violence Funds), where teens design and then teach important life skills lessons & violence prevention to other, younger community residents. Stephany was a CTC leader for two years before she began attending Northern Illinois University where she is currently completing her final semester and expects to graduate May of 2006. Stephany encourages our kids to follow a healthy, non-violent lifestyle by hosting a group of our high school children at NIU every year. Stephany spends some of her vacation time in Chicago volunteering with Chicago Youth Programs. “ I miss the program so much and I want to help other students through tutoring and mentoring so they can have a chance to get a college education.”

James Lockhart

James Lockhart’s mother wept with joy when he graduated from Morehouse College in June 2004. She knew he was realizing a long-held dream when he accepted his diploma. Involved in Cabrini Green Youth Programs for more than 10 years, James worked closely with staff to get into a summer program at Morehouse College that would qualify him for the school’s rigorous admission requirements. James worked hard in college and he has maintained a GPA that is a more than one full point higher than his high school GPA. James was a CTC leader for three years, and enjoyed the mentoring portion of the Children Teaching Children program. “I visit CYP every time I go back to Chicago and I make sure to mentor the younger kids enrolled in the program and help them avoid gang activity. I want them to see the opportunities they have if they work hard & stay involved in CYP.”  Currently, James is attending Northwestern Medical School.