Meet Youth Crossroads’ Gun Violence Prevention Team
Youth Crossroads’ Board of Directors has approved a new strategic plan that will guide the organization over the next three to five years. The strategic planning process was led by PIE.ORG and included key members of Youth Crossroads staff.
Over the past year, the planning committee met to develop a SWOT analysis, landscape analysis, and conduct internal and external reviews and focus groups. The goal of the process was to set a clear vision to build the infrastructure to support rapid growth, create financial stability, and determine how to develop the programs and services to best meet the needs of the youth and families we serve.
Workforce Development Program Focuses on School Mental Health
This summer, our Workforce Development Program is working with Loyola University to offer a School Mental Health Cohort. Participants are working with Loyola doctoral and masters students to learn about careers in School Social Work, School Counseling, School Psychology, Networking, and Career Planning. Students created research projects and received a $350 stipend.
Youth Crossroads Staff Now Offers Mental Health First-Aid Training
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an early intervention public education program that teaches adults how to recognize and support mental health challenges in youth and adults, including trauma, substance use, social media anxiety, and bullying. Trainings start after September 1. Contact Tayra (for adult MHFA in English or Spanish) or Michelle (youth MHFA).
Gun Violence Prevention Team Works With Students at Morton Alternative HS
YC’s Gun Violence Prevention Team has created a group curriculum for summer school students at Morton Alternative High School. The team has also increased referrals from juvenile probation and began one-to-one coaching and case management services for youth who often feel violence is the only answer. The goal is to help youth with conflict resolution and see hope in building healthy and successful lives in the future.
Youth Crossroads Receives $180,000 Grant to Support Workforce Development
Youth Crossroads has been awarded a $180,000 grant from the State of Illinois’ Reimagining Public Safety Act to provide workforce development programs to youth (ages 15-24) who are most at-risk of being impacted by gun violence. The program targets youth who face significant barriers to employment because of prior academic achievement and life experiences. The program will offer introductory training in a variety of fields that can lead to good-paying jobs and meaningful careers or more advanced job training on-site or in college.
YLP Students Take Service-Learning Trip
YC’s Youth Leadership Program brought 17 students to Atlanta this month on a service-learning trip to discover how they can apply the lessons of the civil rights movement in their social work back in their communities. Students contributed to the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Piedmont Park clean-up efforts and also visited the Martin Luther King Center, Martin Luther King Home, and Civil Rights Museum.