04/13/2026
🌆❤️🖤 POP College Access Program Takes On Chicago🌆❤️🖤
From Thursday, April 9th – Sunday, April 12th, our POP College Access mentees had an incredible and memorable experience exploring four amazing universities across the Chicago area:
• Loyola University Chicago
• Northern Illinois University
• Northwestern University
• The University of Chicago
This trip was more than just campus tours — it was about exposure, connection, culture, and community. Our mentees had the opportunity to picture themselves on college campuses, ask questions about their futures, and take important steps toward their next chapter.
We also had the chance to explore Navy Pier, which was a huge highlight of the trip! The mentees enjoyed taking in the views, spending time together, and experiencing another special part of Chicago.
And of course… the Chicago food experience did NOT disappoint! 😄🍴
From grabbing a surprisingly good lunch at a gas station on the road, to enjoying an unforgettable home-cooked meal prepared with love by Ms. Thomas (Jalen’s mom) and Collis’ Aunty — featuring turkey legs, baked mac & cheese, greens, famous peach cobbler, and banana pudding that the mentees made sure didn’t go to waste! ❤️
We also stopped at Cleo's Southern Cuisine, a Chicago favorite, where the food and customer service were absolutely amazing. Before heading back to Wisconsin, we wrapped up the trip with breakfast at Honey Jam Cafe that definitely left us in full food comas! 🥞😂
A HUGE shoutout to our College Access Coordinators — Collis & Jalen — for organizing another powerful and impactful college experience for our mentees. Your dedication continues to open doors and create opportunities that change lives.
POP proudly provided lodging, transportation, and meals to help make this experience possible — and we’re just getting started. The future is bright! 🎓❤️🖤❤️🖤🎓