Workforce Development Becomes More Comprehensive
With the start of the new academic year, Youth Crossroads counseling and youth development staff are back in our schools and communities helping to give students, parents, teachers, and families the resources they need to be successful. Our counseling staff are providing individual and group counseling at five high schools and four middle schools in Cicero, Berwyn, and Lyons helping students address anxiety, depression, self-harm, peer and family issues, and community violence and trauma, which lead to academic underperformance. Their work is supported by 10 clinical interns. Additionally, we have three Community Counselors available to students who do not attend one of the schools we serve.
Our Violence Prevention Team are in all five high schools providing trauma-informed care and workforce development programs to those most at-risk of being impacted by violence. Our Youth Leadership Program staff are also in Morton East and Morton West high schools using community service to build the capacity of at-risk teens for self-reliance, self-sacrifice, social responsibility and team-work. They also provide college and career readiness activities and help keep students learning and engaged after-school when antisocial behaviors take root. Our Youth.Connections.Academics (YCA) team are providing academic support, social-emotional, and relational support in three Berwyn middle schools. YCA’s work is supported by five Guide, Support, and Inspire Mentors. Our Workforce Development Team is providing introductory job training to high school students and young adults in our service area to open pathways for them to get good paying jobs and build meaningful careers.
Youth Crossroads is also the fiscal agent and lead partner for the Cicero Community Collaborative, a grassroots-driven organization that provides Cicero families with a framework to improve educational outcomes, health and safety, and welcoming services in Cicero. We are also the fiscal agent for All Our Kids Network Cicero, which promotes healthy pregnancies, and positive growth and development for all children birth to five.
Y.C.A. Names 5 students to lead Guide, Support, Inspire Mentor Program in Middle Schools
Bruno Cordova, Wendy Arroya, Flora Ortiz, Daisy Trujillo, and Zavian Lopez have been selected to lead the Guide, Support, Inspire Mentorship Program for Youth.Connections,Academics, our after-school program for middle school students. GSI mentors will be paid a $400 monthly stipend to help students with academics, social skills, problem-solving, leadership skills, teamwork, emotional skills, and more.
CCC Distributes $500 Checks to Cicero Families for Flood Relief
The Cicero Community Collaborative recently distributed $500 checks to Cicero families for emergency flood relief. The emergency flood relief was made possible by a generous $50,000 grant from the Healthy Communities Foundation. The checks were distributed to families who were most in need of help following the devastating floods in early July.
YC Fundraiser/Cocktail Party Oct. 5
Youth Crossroads is partnering with the LaGrange Park Antique Mall for a fundraiser and cocktail party to support our workforce development program. The event takes place on Thursday, October 5, 7 – 9 p.m. at 800 E. 31st Street. Tickets are $25. Bring an Amazon Gift Card ($10 minimum) to receive a coupon for $10 off you next visit to LPAM. Costume jewelry repairs will be available for up to 3 items and a $10 donation to Youth Crossroads
Cicero Community Needs Survey Is Live
The Cicero Community Collaborative, Cicero Family Services, Corazon Community Services, Youth Crossroads, and Loyola University are sponsoring a community needs assessment to better understand and respond to community needs. The 10-minute survey is completely anonymous and will help these organizations develop the programs and services to best serve the Cicero community. Send questions or comments to CiceroSurvey@luc.edu.
YLP Students Create Hispanic Heritage Mural
Students from Morton East and Morton West high schools who are in Youth Crossroads’ Youth Leadership Program recently collaborated on a mural project to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The mural was sponsored by Berwyn 6th Ward Alderwoman Alicia Ruiz and was exhibited at the Hispanic Heritage Parade in Berwyn on September 24. The students created the mural to represent their dynamic culture and community in Berwyn.
AOK/ECC and CCC Sponsor Trunk or Treat: A Family Fun Event on October 6
All Our Kids Network Cicero/ECC and the Cicero Community Collaborative will host Trunk or Treat, a fun family event on October 6, 5 – 7:30 p.m. at the ICI Parking Lot at 23rd Place and Laramie Street in Cicero. The event features a pumpkin giveaway, costume contest, raffles, treats, entertainment, and also spotlights community resources available to support Cicero families.
Youth Crossroads Receives Grants from Illinois Children’s Healthcare and Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundations
Youth Crossroads recently received a $20,000 grant from the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation to support our Youth Mental Health Workforce Program. We also received a $15,000 grant from the Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation to support community counseling. These grants will allow us to respond to the youth mental health crisis in our community.