Male / Female Mentoring
This program encourages youth to work together for the improvement
of social and economical conditions for themselves and their communities.
Weekly meetings are guided by professional business men/women who serve
as mentors and positive role models. The youth are trained in values,
conflict resolution, career development, father/mother hood, continuing
education, developing life skills and cultural sensitivity.
Youth Self Enhancement Program (YSEP)
This program was developed to encourage the participants to positively
increase the distinction of their important identity. In a safe haven
of nurturing and support, participants receive help with homework,
enhance their computer skills, organize and plan special events and
participate in group activities. From their one-on-one sessions with
mentors they also learn time management skills, interpersonal and
networking skills and how to be effective communicators.
Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Programs
This program focuses on the development of effective social and problem-solving
skills utilizing non-violent methods. The workshops include topics
such as conflict management, violence prevention, behavior modification,
anger-management, leadership development, communication skills, value
clarification, positive relationship building, and alcohol, tobacco
and other drugs as they relate to violence.
The program also assists the youth in understanding norms, attitudes
and values centered around community violence and how to identify,
resist and communicate with persons exhibiting violent behavior.
Specific problem-behavior skill building activities are performed
that help youth develop life skills to enhance their individual attitudes
and behaviors to address the challenges of day-to-day experiences
in a constructive manner and offers alternatives to help meet the
psychological, physical and social needs of youth.
Creatively Relating Entertainment & Arts
To Educate (C.R.E.A.T.E.)
Creatively Relating Entertainment And Arts To Educate is an interactive
peer leadership program for junior and senior year high schools students
in African American communities that are not normally exposed to
creative art programs. C.R.E.A.T.E. consists of three components:
The Palette, Young Voice and Drama Squad. These programs focus on
the prevention of substance abuse and violence using poetry, video
production, newspapers, skits, and plays and helps prepare participants
who are interested in pursuing careers in the arts.
Kujipenda - Young Women's Discussion Group
The focus of Kujipenda (self love) is to raise the awareness of African
American women ages 10-24 regarding behaviors which place them at
risk for HIV/AIDS. Through sexual health discussion groups and prevention
case management, the program seeks to empower women by providing
them with a confidential setting of peers and staff to discuss their
concerns. The program provides accurate HIV and STD prevention information,
knowledge, and skills building to increase participants' confidence
in making positive choices regarding their sexual health.
The Young Men for Community Advocacy Project (YMCA)
An expansion of Brothas 4 life, this collaborative initiative is joined by Task Force AIDS Prevention and Unity Parenting and Counseling Center in cooperation with the SSHC. Working in concert, each has established links to youth in the African American community and is able to bring their unique expertise in the areas of HIV prevention and education services. The project provides community-level and individual interventions designed to encourage individuals and assist organizations to establish service practices that contribute to the well-being of youth in the African American community. In addition to providing intervention education and advocacy for young men who have sex with men (YMSM), the project offers training to agencies and service providers that seek to enhance their cultural sensitivity to this population and thereby provide better services and increase effectiveness in promoting access to services.
Male Mentoring Reintegration Youth Program
This program assist youth-parolees with various human service programs to enable their successful reintegration into the community. This program provides improved social and educational services for juveniles and other male youth. Through mentorships, counseling, education services and skills development, this program helps to increase youth parolees' rates of success to transition back into society. This program is designed to ensure public safety for Illinois residents, reduce recidivism, and redirect the course of youth to rebuild their lives.
Funded by the Illinois Department of Corrections |
