YC’s Building Future Success in Youth Conference
Youth Crossroads will be hosting a conference on “Building Future Success: Support Structures that Help Youth Succeed” on Thursday, October 17, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, 701 W North Ave in Melrose Park. The conference, which is part of Youth Crossroads 50th Anniversary Celebration, will feature leading practitioners, educators, funders, and policymakers identifying the best strategies for building the critical support structures that at-risk youth need to achieve success in school, at home, and in life. BUILD’s Executive Director, Adam Alonso will be the keynote speaker. For more information click here
TRACKS:
• Positive Youth Development
– Mentorship
– Workforce Development
– Emotional Intelligence
• Restorative Justice
– Gun violence prevention and advocacy
– Peace Circles
– Programs for justice-impacted youth
• Trauma-Informed Care
– Connecting communities through trauma-informed care
– Trauma-informed care for new arrivals
YC Celebrates 50th Anniversary with 1st Alumni Reunion, Block Party, and Mural Dedication on July 27, 4 – 9 p.m., 6501 Stanley Ave.
In recognition of our 50th Anniversary in 2024, YC will host its first alumni reunion and block party on Stanley Ave (between Scoville and Ridgeland) and Gunderson on Saturday, July 27, 4 – 9 p.m. The event features live music, folkloric dance, bouncy house, food trucks, beverage tent, face-painting, yard games, bike raffles, and free backpacks to the first 100 youth. The event will also feature the unveiling of YC’s 50th Anniversary Mural by Isaac Galvan. The event is free and open to the public. Food and drink available for purchase.
Community Memorial Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant For Counselor
The Community Memorial Foundation has awarded Youth Crossroads a $50,000 grant to support a full-time mental health clinician at George Washington Middle School in Lyons. While YC has had a part-time mental health clinician at the school for the past year, they were unable to respond to all of the requests for services. A full-time clinician will make it possible for us to run groups and provide more focused services to newly arriving students.
AT&T in Partnership with Compudopt Donates 100 Free Laptops to Youth
AT&T and Compudopt will be donating 100 free laptops and backpacks to students and families in need on Thursday, August 8 at 6 – 7:15 p.m., at 6501 Stanley Ave. in Berwyn. To qualify for the giveaway, students must not currently own a working personal computer at home. Computers come with a 2-year warranty and free tech support. The laptop giveaway includes a class on Digital Citizenship facilitated by AT&T. Register here
AOK Hosts Free Immigration Clinic
YC’s All Our Kids Network is hosting a free immigration on Thursday, July 25, 2 – 8 p.m. at 5533 W. 25th Street in Cicero. The event will help residents with Adjustment of Status, Visa Application, Work Authorization, Parole in Place VAWA, and Anti-Deportation Defense, and more. Co-sponsored by FLAP and Beyond Legal Aid Attorneys. Call 888-451-3527 to reserve a spot.
Come Work at Youth Crossroads
Youth Crossroads is a great place to work, including a great benefits package and dedicated staff who are transforming the lives of youth and families in our community. We currently have two openings: Youth Development Specialist (Part-Time, 20 hrs per week); CCBYS Coach / Outreach Worker (Full-Time, 40 hrs per week). Find out more!
Cindy Guadarrama Hired as Community Counselor
Cindy Guadarrama graduated from Concordia University Chicago in May 2022 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Education. Cindy continued her graduate education with New England College and will earn a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2024. Cindy interned for Youth Crossroads in 2024.
S.G. Says Gun Violence Creates Long-Term Cycle of Trauma
Gun violence has created a large-scale cycle of trauma and fear that’s damaging Americans’ mental health, making children fearful of going to school and adults of going to public places, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said in announcing a public health crisis (continue reading).
Success Stories in Mental Health
YC’s Mental Health Clinicians are making a real difference in transforming the lives of youth in our community. Here are two stories of success:
Maria (Age 15) was referred to YC’s counseling services in Fall 2022 as a Freshman at Morton Freshman Center. Staff at Morton Freshman Center felt that Maria would benefit from YC clinical services due to her anger management and challenges with discrimination.
IDHS Awards YC a $475,000 Grant
Youth Crossroads was recently awarded a $475,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services for Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services. CCBYS funding supports our in-school mental health services and crisis intervention programs in Cicero, Berwyn, Stickney, Oak Park, and River Forest. The IDHS grant helps YC staff guide, support, and inspire the youth in our community to achieve their best.
