In the last seven years, 100% of our youth have matriculated to college.  But, retention is key. We work with our youth through the age of 25 in an effort to help them stay in college, graduate, and begin their career. Getting an education and securing a career is the surest path out of poverty for our youth and we endeavor to help them every step of the way. This is our #CYPpromise to them.  

In Chicago, 60% of black students will graduate high school. At CYP we celebrate a 100% high school graduation rate among this same population.

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