Communication to Resolve Conflicts Peacefully
Healthy communication is difficult in times of conflict. YC Community Counselor Monica Escarpita (MA, LPC) shares a few tips to help foster healthy communication in any relationship:
• Reflective listening involves making a conscious effort to connect with another person. It’s about paying attention, noticing nonverbal behavior, listening for both feeling and content without analyzing, but allowing the person who is speaking to be heard. Reflective listening lets the other person know that you understand that you see and hear them. It is not parroting the others person’s feelings or words. Instead, you share what you hear and confirm that you understand what the person is stating and how they feel.
• I-messages state your feelings without attacking or attaching blame to the other person. It’s a way to express your expectations, concerns, and feelings in a way that does not attack others. “You-messages” make another person responsible for your feelings, but you alone are responsible for your feelings, and you can take this responsibility by using I-messages. For example, “I feel frustrated when we are not able to talk about a problem.” “When you lie about where you’ve been I feel like you do not respect or trust me.”
Registration Open For BUILT, a Fun and Free Summer Camp for Middle School Students
There are still spots available for the afternoon session of YC’s BUILT Summer Camp. BUILT offers field trips, art, recreation, STEM, SEL, and team building activities. Sessions run June 17 – August 8, 1 – 4 p.m. at Heritage Middle School, 6850 W. 31st St. To register, use the URL code on flyer or email Stavros.
Service-Learning Trip to Knoxville
YC’s Youth Leadership Program will be heading to Knoxville, TN in June for their annual service-learning trip. The 26 middle and high school students and 5 YD staff will be volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank, Bridge Refugee Services, and Ijams Nature Center. They will also visit Smokey Mountain National Park, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, and the World’s Fair Park. YLP is currently hosting an Item Drive to support their work.
One Step Ahead Scholars Names
Two YLP graduating seniors from Morton East High School, Sammy Sanchez and Alejandro Mendoza are the recipients of YLP’s 2024 One Step Ahead Scholarship. The students received a check of $2113.65 at a Graduation Celebration on May 17th, which they can use to support their next steps after high school graduation. Money for the scholarship was raised by Youth Development interns over the last year through a series of fundraising events at local restaurants.
Youth Crossroads’ Project Peace
YC’s Gun Violence Prevention Program has been rebranded as YC’s Project Peace. According to Natalie Palm, Project Peace Team Associate Director, the name change was made in an effort to not unfairly stigmatize youth and families who participate in the intensive 90-day program for 11-24-year-olds with a history of violence or criminal justice system involvement.
New YLP Program for Graduates
Starting this summer, YLP is offering a program geared towards newly graduated seniors that have been apart of any YC programming. The goal of the program is to support new alumni in their transition to the next chapter in their lives. The primary focus will be developing a community service project, which will include opportunities for mentorships and team building activities. More more information email Ashley.
Paul M. Angell Family Foundation Awards YC $100,000 Grant
The Paul M. Angell Foundation has awarded YC a $100,000 grant to support general operations for the organization. While many of the grants YC receives are for programs, general operations support allows us to recruit, train, and hire the best staff possible and provide suitable spaces for programs.
Future Philanthropists Program Awards YC $4,000 Grant for WDP
The Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation’s Future Philanthropists Programs has awarded YC a $4,000 grant for Workforce Development’s Guide Support Inspire (GSI) Mentorship Program. GSI mentors are high school students who support middle school students with academics, social skills, problem-solving, SEL, and more.