Serving Cabrini Green Since

Serving Washington Park Since

Serving Uptown Since

Serving North Lawndale Since

For minority children growing up in poverty achieving literacy goals is further complicated by under-resourced schools, lack of learning tools in the home, and the instability of life in violent communities. In high-need neighborhoods, literacy challenges are among the greatest contributors to the low graduation rates that usually accompany poverty. By eighth grade, the problem is more pronounced: 79% of the Chicago Public Schools 8th graders are not grade-level proficient in reading according to the U.S. Department of Education (2012).

At CYP’s targeted communities/schools, literacy levels are even more concerning. Per Great Schools Data 2016, only 8% of students at Burke Elementary, a school in CYP’s southside community, met literacy standards. At Dulles Elementary, another school in CYP’s community area, the rate was only 2%. It is no surprise that the inadequate development of early educational skills contributes to weak long-term achievement and keeps economically disadvantaged youth in a cycle of poverty.  To counter these challenges, CYP provides targeted literacy interventions for kids from age three through third grade.

Kindergarten Literacy

Oral Reading Fluency

Chicago Youth Programs focuses on the middle school years intently because they are the most challenging when it comes to retaining youth in the program.  Why? The transition from elementary school at about age 11, to middle school, is notoriously hard, and researchers have documented that kids suffer academically, from which they don’t recover for years. Adolescence is in full swing, social anxiety and bullying spike, and social media appears to more often than not, amplify the period’s unpleasantness.

This natural phenomenon, coupled with the environmental challenges of growing up in poverty; exposure to gangs and crime, or the need to have middle schoolers in the home to care for younger siblings, contribute to the middle school years being the time when program retention is most challenging.  However, CYP has developed best practices to develop new strategies and programs to help keep middle school youth engaged in programs through these often turbulent years. The belief is simple:  We cannot help them achieve a long-term, sustainable life change if we cannot keep them engaged long-term.

Marian Wright Edelman, an African-American activist for children’s education, famously mused, “You can’t be what you can’t see.”  In many communities served by CYP, less than 10% of the population 25 and older has attained bachelor’s degrees, therefore, youth have few models of higher education attainment in their communities. Consequently, they are mired with questions of how to succeed in higher education: how to develop good study skills, apply for college, access financial aid, find work-study jobs, obtain internships, create a resume, interview for jobs, pay off school loans, and more. While CYP participants have a deep desire to succeed in their educational endeavors, they need extensive support to help them navigate the complex world of higher education.

CYP comes alongside youth in their Pre-K learning years to provide education assistance. As the child grows, so do the CYP supports and programming opportunities. By the time youth enter high school, they can participate in CYP programming six days per week, including extensive academic supports and mentoring to prepare for college.

CYP higher education programs do not only impact the participants: the entire family and community are transformed as well. When a child obtains a college degree and earns a corresponding salary, the economic status of the family improves.

Our goal is to provide a comprehensive boys mentoring program that creates a positive environment and provides essential tools for their development as they grow into manhood.

TOTAL REVENUE: $1,656,652

TOTAL REVENUE: $1,772,293