Youth Guidance Chicago

Youth Guidance Chicago Youth Guidance: Guiding Kids to Bright Futures More than 95% of youth served are African American and Hispanic/Latin.

Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs, like BAM® and WOW that enable children & older youth to overcome obstacles, focus on their education and, ultimately, to succeed in school and in life. Success is realized as students stay on track to graduate elementary and high school, develop the skills and abilities needed to make positive choices in their lives, and develop resilience assets such as self-efficacy, anger management, and positive values so that they may live successful, self-sufficient lives as adults, reaching their potential. Our strategically, trauma-informed developed delivery areas are: Counseling & Prevention (BAM, WOW, STRIVE) Community & After School (Parent/Family Engagement, Full-Service Community Schools Community Learning Centers and Extended Day & Enrichment Programs), Youth Workforce Development (Project Prepare, , Project Prepare Blue). We directly serve more than 13,000 youth while strengthening families and touching the lives of parents, teachers and communities. Youth Guidance is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).

For Leslie Mendoza, growing up in Mexico and experiencing life in Chicago have shaped how she sees and appreciates the w...
10/06/2026

For Leslie Mendoza, growing up in Mexico and experiencing life in Chicago have shaped how she sees and appreciates the world around her.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Leslie, Counseling Program Manager with Youth Guidance School-Based Counseling Program, reflects on her Mexican American identity and the family traditions that remain close to her heart. Celebrations such as Las Posadas and Nochebuena bring her family together, strengthen their bonds, and create a meaningful connection to their culture and community.

Thank you, Leslie, for sharing your story and traditions with us.

09/30/2026

Role models and opportunities helped shape Keenan Sellers. Now, as Resource Coordinator at Parker Community Academy, he is helping provide both for others.

As we continue recognizing the Resource Coordinators within Youth Guidance’s Community & After School Programs, Keenan shares why he has dedicated nearly seven years to this work. For him, the role is an opportunity to pay forward the guidance he received while helping students explore their interests, grow, and become better versions of themselves.

Thank you, Keenan, for creating opportunities and being a positive presence for students and your school community.

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, we are celebrating the voices, experiences, and cultural traditions of Youth Guidanc...
09/29/2026

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, we are celebrating the voices, experiences, and cultural traditions of Youth Guidance staff and students.

For Rosa Carrillo, Chief Financial Officer at Youth Guidance, her Mexican heritage is a source of inspiration and strength. Her identity has also been shaped by growing up in Chicago, being a first-generation Latina, and carrying her family’s values and traditions forward.

Thank you, Rosa, for sharing what cultural heritage means to you and the important role it plays in your life.

The Uplift Parent Room was filled with color, creativity and family connection as students and caregivers gathered to de...
09/28/2026

The Uplift Parent Room was filled with color, creativity and family connection as students and caregivers gathered to decorate piñatas in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The event was hosted through Youth Guidance’s Parent & Family Engagement program, part of our Community & After School Programs. More than an afternoon of art, it gave families an opportunity to spend time together, celebrate Hispanic culture and strengthen their connection to the school community.

Throughout the year, the Uplift Parent Room welcomes families for cultural events, community activities and parent workshops designed to support meaningful family engagement.

Thank you to the students, caregivers and staff who made this celebration so special!

Coordinators Appreciation Week may have ended, but we are continuing the celebration by recognizing the Resource Coordin...
09/25/2026

Coordinators Appreciation Week may have ended, but we are continuing the celebration by recognizing the Resource Coordinators who support students, families, and school communities through Youth Guidance’s Community & After School Programs. Today, meet Frencia Stephenson.

At Edison Regional Gifted Center, students know exactly who to call when they need support: “Coach Frenciaaaaaaa!”

Since joining the school community in 2022, Frencia has served as a Program Instructor, Assistant Resource Coordinator, and now Resource Coordinator. Each day, they wear many hats while supporting students, families, and staff.

Thank you, Frencia, for the care and commitment you bring to your school community!

Supporting young people starts with knowing how to recognize when they may need help. In recognition of Su***de Preventi...
09/23/2026

Supporting young people starts with knowing how to recognize when they may need help.

In recognition of Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, members of Youth Guidance’s Community Connections and Career Readiness and Success teams recently completed Youth Mental Health First Aid training led by Communities In Schools of Chicago.

Through the training, our staff strengthened their ability to recognize signs that a young person may be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis, respond to potential su***de risk, and connect them with appropriate support and resources.

Thank you to Communities In Schools of Chicago for equipping our teams with additional tools to show up for young people with care, confidence, and compassion.

If you or someone you know needs immediate emotional support, call or text the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

***dePreventionAwarenessMonth

For 10-year-old Devin, a new pair of white Nike Air Force 1s meant walking into the new school year with confidence and ...
09/22/2026

For 10-year-old Devin, a new pair of white Nike Air Force 1s meant walking into the new school year with confidence and one less worry.

Devin was one of approximately 500 Chicago students who received new sneakers at the fifth annual Back 2 School Kicks Chicago. Families also enjoyed sports, food, activities and an afternoon of connection and celebration.

The shoes are only the beginning. This year, the initiative expanded with the launch of the Kick Forward Scholarship, which will help five students continue their education at City Colleges of Chicago.

Youth Guidance is proud to partner with Athlete’s Foot, Community Retail Association, Refugee Life Foundation, Arcitec Foundation and the Arab American Business and Professional Association to support Chicago’s young people.

We also thank Alando Tucker, Ash Darwish, Rush Darwish and the many community partners and volunteers who made the day possible.

Read the full story and see how this collaboration is helping young people take their next steps: https://www.youth-guidance.org/the-shoes-are-just-the-beginning/

Last month, Fuller Park was filled with energy as our Working on Womanhood (WOW) and Becoming A Man (BAM) students came ...
09/18/2026

Last month, Fuller Park was filled with energy as our Working on Womanhood (WOW) and Becoming A Man (BAM) students came together for the WOW/BAM Takeover!

Students spent the day playing sports and games, sharing a meal, building connections, and participating in activities centered on health and wellness. As the day came to a close, students received school supply kits to help them start the new school year prepared and ready to learn.

A special thank you to Zoro for donating 250 school supply kits, United Way of Metro Chicago for coordinating this generous contribution through our continued partnership, and Lewis Bond for his contributions to the event.

Together, we are helping young people feel supported as they step into a new school year.


United Way of Metro Chicago

From September 15 through October 15, Youth Guidance proudly recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month and the rich cultures, h...
09/15/2026

From September 15 through October 15, Youth Guidance proudly recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month and the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic communities.

Hispanic identity encompasses many countries, cultures, traditions, and lived experiences. Throughout the month, we look forward to sharing reflections from Youth Guidance staff and students about the heritage, traditions, values, foods, music, and experiences that are meaningful to them.

Join us as we celebrate the voices and stories that help shape our Youth Guidance community.

Starting the school year with support and community! 🎒📚 Last month, our Community and After-School Program (CAP) team p...
09/14/2026

Starting the school year with support and community! 🎒📚

Last month, our Community and After-School Program (CAP) team participated in a back-to-school event at Cameron Elementary School. Through our partnership with to Crayons, we distributed 100 backpacks to help students begin the year prepared and ready to learn.

We were also happy to connect with State Representative Jimenez during the event.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the day meaningful for students and families!

Address

1 N La Salle Street
Chicago, IL
60602

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13122534900

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