Trauma-Informed Care Team To Reduce Gun Violence
The statistics are unbelievably grim. Firearm violence has become the leading cause of death of children in our country. Since the start of the year, there have been 163 mass shootings (5 or more people shot), including 30 since the start of April. There have also been 14 school shootings this year.
In the last several months, Youth Crossroads has received over $2 million in grants to reduce gun violence in our community. This includes $1.5 million grant (over three years) from Cook County’s Justice Advisory Council’s Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Program, a $225,000 grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), and a $475,000 grant from the Greater Illinois Trauma Informed Behavioral Health Services.
To reduce gun violence in our community, Youth Crossroads has hired a Trauma-Informed Behavioral Health Services Team, which targets youth in our community who are most at risk of being impacted by gun violence. It includes Carolyn Hodrick (Program Coordinator), Laura Mena (Case Manager), DJ Robinson (Outreach Manager), and Desmond Feltus (Trauma Counselor).
Youth Crossroads 2023 Gala a Roaring Success
Youth Crossroads “Roaring 20’s” Gala, which took place on April 21 at Crystal Sky Banquets was a phenomenal success. Through sponsorships, ticket sales, live and silent auctions, raffle sales, and our Mission Moment, we grossed $82,000 and netted $68,500, which helps support our general operations. To view photos from the event CLICK HERE
Future Philanthropists Program Awards Youth Crossroads $6,500
The Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation’s Future Philanthropists Program (FPP) recently awarded a $6,500 grant to Youth Crossroads’ Workforce Development Program. FPP is comprised of students from OPRF high school. The grant will help make it possible for us to expand and move our Workforce Development Program from our building to Morton West and Morton East high schools to reach students who are most at-risk of being impacted by gun violence. Our workforce development program offers introductory job training in Community Health Work, Nutrition Education, Business Development, Entrepreneurship, Music Education, Nail Art, Coding, and First Responders. New job fields will be introduced soon. For details contact Arafat.
YC Introduced Counselors at George Washington Middle School in Lyons
School-based counselor Natalia Dora (MA) has returned to Youth Crossroads to serve as our first counselor at George Washington Middle School in Lyons. The position was made possible by grants from the Community Memorial Foundation and the Reva and David Logan Family Foundation, which is in response to a student suicide and a growing number of behavioral and mental health challenges that students have faced since the pandemic.
Meet Desmond Feltus, YC’s New Violence Prevention and Trauma Counselo
Meet Desmond Feltus, YC’s New Violence Prevention and Trauma Counselor Desmond has served in communities all over the country and has a passion for helping youth.
A graduate of Argosy University, Desmond has worked as a BAM Counselor, violence interruptor, conflict resolution specialist, life skills coach, recovery coach and substance abuse Counselor. “I am heavily involved in the recovery community and travel across the country helping others find the freedom to live a successful and spiritual way of life,” Desmond says.