The voice of our youth is a significant contributor to our program design. While developing their leadership skills our youth also give back to the organization with programs like PASS It On and Children Teaching Children.

The middle school years are volatile for our youth. Inner-city, low-income youth are more prone to gang involvement, academic decline, and violence victimization as they enter adolescence. Consequently, retention during these years is key to youth achieving long-term success.

In a recent survey, 85% of our youth report that they have a trusted adult, volunteer, or mentor from our program that they can depend on. In addition, when asked during our recent long term study, former participants shared that they stayed in the program because they had a consistent and safe relationship with an adult mentor.

Students carry much more than a backpack. SEL combines basic character education, self-awareness, self-management and responsible decision making to help our youth overcome the trauma associated with a life in poverty. CYP applies an SEL methodology across our program model.  

WASHINGTON PARK SUMMER CAMP Summers are for fun.  Unfortunately, our youth are not always free to explore all that their neighborhoods and city have to offer.  That is where our Safe Summer Camp comes in and provides academic support for those who need it, but fun for all!  For six weeks, youth are immersed in days full of play, arts, culture, and fun both in their communities and in the City

Most of the youth we serve attend under-performing CPS schools. To counteract this. our youth are matched with a volunteer tutor starting as early as 1st grade. These volunteers use a guided curriculum to help our students stay on track academically.

Literacy serves as the building block for education. With our focus on word sounds, phonics, and early reading we aid future educational preparedness.