Our holistic approach to youth development integrates a range of educational, cultural, recreational, and vocational activities which challenge young people to grow as individuals and active members of their community. Our youth programs & services aim to promote respect for diversity, self-confidence, and leadership development.

Project YES: Educational Services

Project Youth Empowerment Southwest (YES) is a comprehensive educational services program which encourages and assists young people to complete high school or alternative education and advance to college and other meaningful post-secondary options. Project YES uses self-discovery, life skills workshops, career exploration, college preparation activities, and college tours to help participants focus on their options and ambitions. Project YES incorporates alternative education programming at our own sites and school-based educational services at various local middle and high schools.

Community Organizing Initiative: Youth Organizing

Through youth activism and grassroots organizing, the Community Organizing Initiative aims to increase the voice and power of those directly affected by oppression and bring them into a movement for racial and economic justice and gender equality. Generation Y, recognized as a leader among the few youth organizing projects in Chicago, has demonstrated the power for positive change that young people can be. The Community Organizing Initiative also coordinates the young women's organization, Sisters Organizing for United Leadership (SOUL), Families Organized for Real Change and Empowerment (FORCE), and advocacy efforts of the Community Justice Initiative.

University of Hip Hop: Arts & Culture

The University of Hip Hop combines art and the urban landscape through dance, poetry, music, mural arts, and gardening in an environment that promotes respect for all cultures and for the world around us. Working with professional artists, participants in University of Hip Hop projects learn the histories, philosophies, and methods of urban art forms with particular emphasis on the values of the Youth Liberation movement. Community service is a central component of this program and typically involves replacing graffiti vandalism with professional-quality murals, breakdancing or DJing for special events, and hosting community open mic nights.

Urban Options: Workforce Development

Urban Options programs work intensively with older youth to prepare them for entry into the workforce or for further education. Participants receive job readiness training, job placements, referrals to local employers, as well as case management and mentoring. Urban options develops life-skills including money management, self-sustainability, and program solving. Guest speakers, college preparation, and internship opportunities are other aspects of Urban Options programs designed to give young people marketable skills and a horizon for a future career.

Technology Undivided: Technology Training & Services

The Technology Undivided Project aims to bridge the Digital Divide by training young people to use information technology, train others in technology, and increase access to technology in our community and abroad. These programs empower youth through technology-related expos and skill building in computer refurbishment, digital video editing, audio mixing and website design. The Technology Undivided Project runs two Community Technology Center Network (CTCNet) Labs, has set up four other labs in the area and has donated computers to dozens of individual families and schools in 5 foreign countries.

Southwest Athletic Club: Sports & Health

The Southwest Athletic Club teaches personal and social responsibility through sports and health-related activities. This innovative project engages participants in a structured mix of physical, personal, and social development activities focusing on five levels of responsibility: self-control, cooperation, decision-making, leadership, and application of these responsibilities in the world outside the playing field. During the activities, which include basketball, soccer, yoga, and karate, participants coach and evaluate themselves and each other.