Programs Overview
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.
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.
Educational Talent Search (ETS) at Hubbard High School
Contact: Camille Williamson, cwilliamson(at)swyc.org
Post Secondary Lab: Monday-Thursday, 1:30-5pm
21st Century Learning Center at Gage Park High School
Contact: Duan Rounds, duan(at)swyc.org
Greater Lawn Community Youth Network: Youth Center
Contact: Sandra Sosa, ssosa(at)swyc.org
Monday-Friday 2-6pm
Amandla Center Drop-In
Contact: Dwayne Selmon, dwayne(at)swyc.org
Monday-Friday, 2-4pm Quiet/Homework time, 4-7pm Open time
GED Program
Contact: James Hollins, jhollins(at)swyc.org
GED Class: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11am-1pm
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.
Generation Y Youth Activist Organization
Contact: Eliza Solowiej, eliza(at)swyc.org
Sisters Organized for United Leadership(SOUL)
Contact: Eliza Solowiej, eliza(at)swyc.org
Community Justice Project
Contact: Eliza Solowiej, eliza(at)swyc.org
Families Organizing for Real Change (FORCE)
Contact: Eliza Solowiej, eliza(at)swyc.org
Audy Home Campaign
Contact: Jessie Belton, jessie(at)swyc.org
Live In Peace: No M4s Campaign
Contact: Christian Bufford, chris(at)swyc.org
Black Men & Boys Initiative(BMBI)
Contact: Jonathan Peck, jpeck(at)swyc.org
Education Rights Coalition
Contact: Laura Ramirez, laura(at)swyc.org
Summer Youth Liberation Institute (SYLI) Freedom School
Based on the Mississippi Freeom Schools Movement of the 60s, the SYLI Freedom School is an intensive
7-week internship focused on developing intergenerational, multi-racial, and gender balanced leadership for social justice and institutional change around issues affecting youth and families.
Summer only. Registration will open in May 2009
Contact: Laura Ramirez, laura(at)swyc.org
The 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.
64th Street Art Gallery
Contact: Liliana Paniagua, liliana(at)swyc.org
Exhibition schedule coming soon
Public/Mural Arts Initiative
Contact: Mario Gonzalez, mario(at)swyc.org
Events Schedule coming soon
The Voice Magazine
Contact: Liliana Paniagua, liliana(at)swyc.org
www.voicemagazineonline.com
Writer's Bench Graffiti Arts
Contact: Mario Gonzalez, mario(at)swyc.org
Breakdance Class
Contact: Trinidad Castillo, trinidad(at)swyc.org
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 4-7pm @ Amandla Center
Midnight Breakdance
Contact: Trinidad Castillo, trinidad(at)swyc.org
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 7-10pm @ Amandla Center
DJ/Turntablism Classes
TBA in the Fall
Praise Dance
Contact: Albertine Gibson, youthpraisefam(at)juno.com
Fridays, 5-7pm
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.
Career Center & Case Management
Contact: James Hollins, jhollins(at)swyc.org
By Appointment
Job Readiness Trainings
The goal of the SWYC Urban Options Job Readiness Training is to prepare youth to enter the workforce through delivery of services in career education and counseling, "soft skills" training, leadership development, job and educational opportunities, regional public Internet access and skill and interest assessment.
Contact: Maggie Bonjean, mbonjean(at)swyc.org
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-5pm
Urban Options Open Walk-In
Staff on hand in the computer lab for Jobs advice, resume building, and application help.
Contact: Maria Sarabia, msarabia@swyc.org
Tuesdays, 4-6pm
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.
Youth Technology Corps: Media Massala
Media Masala is an introductory multi-media program where teens learn production skills in documentary video, audio, graphics and web design. Registration for the Fall is currently closed. Winter registration will open in January.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 4-7pm
Contact: David Marques, dmarques(at)swyc.org
Vocalo Youth Radio
The Teen Vocalo Program gives teens the opportunity to produce original multi-media work, including audio documentaries, interviews, and personal stories, for broadcast on Vocalo.org (89.5 FM), a new major Chicago radio station.
Summer Program only. Registration will open in May 2009.
Contact: David Marques, dmarques(at)swyc.org
Computer Lab
Offering Windows XP computers with Microsoft Office Suite for public use.
Fridays 4-7pm
Contact: David Marques, dmarques(at)swyc.org
Media Lab
Offering Apple computers with Mac iLife Suite, Final Cut Express, Adobe Creative Suite 2, and Reason software.
Contact: David Marques, dmarques(at)swyc.org
By Appointment
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.
Coaching Club Basketball
Contact: James Hollins, jhollins(at)swyc.org
Wednesdays, 5-7pm @ Gage Park
Indoor Soccer League
Contact: Regi Ratliff, rratliff(at)swyc.org
Tuesdays, 6-9pm @ Tarkington Park
Open Swimming
Contact: Regi Ratliff, rratliff(at)swyc.org
Mondays, 6-7pm @ YMCA
Martial Arts
Contact: Regi Ratliff, rratliff(at)swyc.org
Saturdays and Sundays, 9am-12pm @ Amandla Center