Youth & Opportunity United

10/12/2026

🎃 IT'S PUMPKIN CARVING TIME AT Y.O.U.!

A little fall fun is happening on our back patio today! 🍂

Our young people and staff are getting into the Halloween spirit with some pumpkin carving, and we love seeing moments like these come to life at Y.O.U.!

Sometimes, it's the simplest moments that create the best memories. An afternoon of pumpkin carving with friends and mentors is a perfect example of that! 🎃

And it's community support that helps make moments like these possible. 🧡💙

Right now, you have an opportunity to make that support go even further! Through October 22, donations to our Lights On Afterschool campaign will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, thanks to the generosity of Paula Jacobi and Todd Wiener.

💡 Help us keep creating opportunities for moments like these! Give today by clicking the link below!

🔗 https://youthandopportunityunited.app.neoncrm.com/forms/106?fbclid=IwY2xjawU6MKBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMXh1YjR0NlNNWXJLYU96bVNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeLZRu_jncgKxcUjGdn4Dh6BD7Qa-ajKm7hmwhfkZgzODpTaRrloVZjRxmnjI_aem_rvxe8knWlUNyZEH_LzsGKg

10/09/2026

💡 SOMETIMES, A HANDMADE POSTER SAYS IT BEST!

Our young people know what Afterschool means to them. Now, we're inviting our community to learn more about why these opportunities matter.

On Thursday, October 22, join us for Y.O.U.'s Lights On Afterschool celebration, featuring Dr. Nichole Pinkard of Northwestern University as our guest speaker!

📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026
🕓 4:00–5:30 PM
📍 Y.O.U. | 1911 Church Street, Evanston

Dr. Pinkard, Alice Hamilton Professor of Learning Sciences at Northwestern University, will share insights on the importance and impact of afterschool programs, helping us better understand how opportunities beyond the classroom contribute to young people's learning, development, and futures.

💡 Join us to celebrate Afterschool and learn why keeping the lights on matters!

🔗 RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lights-on-afterschool-tickets-2002836656354?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/07/2026

https://youthandopportunityunited.app.neoncrm.com/forms/106

💡 BIG NEWS: A $25,000 MATCH FOR Y.O.U.!

In celebration of Lights On Afterschool, Paula Jacobi and Todd Wiener are matching every donation made to Y.O.U. dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000, through October 22!

Young people spend 80% of their time outside of school. What happens during that time matters.

Afterschool gives young people more time to develop their interests, strengthen what they’re learning, and experience opportunities that can shape their future. That’s why we’re keeping the lights on after school.

With federal and state funding for this work declining, this match gives our community an incredible opportunity to step forward. Every gift made through October 22 can have twice the impact.

💡 Help us unlock the full $25,000 match:
https://youthandopportunityunited.app.neoncrm.com/forms/106

And on Thursday, October 22, come celebrate Lights On Afterschool with us! Y.O.U. will showcase student projects and welcome special guest Dr. Nichole Pinkard, Alice Hamilton Professor of Learning Sciences at Northwestern University.

📅 Thursday, October 22
🕓 4:00–5:30 PM
📍 Y.O.U. | 1911 Church Street, Evanston

Can’t attend or donate? You can still help! Sharing this post with your friends, family, and community goes a long way in helping us spread the word and unlock the full $25,000 match. 💡

10/07/2026

💡 BIG NEWS: A $25,000 MATCH FOR Y.O.U.!

In celebration of Lights On Afterschool, Paula Jacobi and Todd Wiener are matching every donation made to Y.O.U. dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000, through October 22!

Young people spend 80% of their time outside of school. What happens during that time matters.

Afterschool gives young people more time to develop their interests, strengthen what they’re learning, and experience opportunities that can shape their future. That’s why we’re keeping the lights on after school.

With federal and state funding for this work declining, this match gives our community an incredible opportunity to step forward. Every gift made through October 22 can have twice the impact.

💡 Help us unlock the full $25,000 match:
https://youthandopportunityunited.app.neoncrm.com/forms/106

And on Thursday, October 22, come celebrate Lights On Afterschool with us! Y.O.U. will showcase student projects and welcome special guest Dr. Nichole Pinkard, Alice Hamilton Professor of Learning Sciences at Northwestern University.

📅 Thursday, October 22
🕓 4:00–5:30 PM
📍 Y.O.U. | 1911 Church Street, Evanston

Can’t attend or donate? You can still help! Sharing this post with your friends, family, and community goes a long way in helping us spread the word and unlock the full $25,000 match. 💡

10/02/2026

Please join us in welcoming five new members to Y.O.U.’s Board of Directors! 🎉

We’re excited to welcome Lauren Keenan-Devlin, Cory King, Roland Martel, Paul Patt, and Kelly Spence to the Y.O.U. community.

Each brings a unique background, perspective, and experience to our Board, and we look forward to their leadership as we continue creating opportunities for young people and families throughout our community.

Swipe through to meet our newest Board members, and visit our Board of Directors page to learn more about each of them and the experience they bring to Y.O.U.

https://youthopportunity.org/about-us/board

Welcome to Y.O.U., Lauren, Cory, Roland, Paul, and Kelly!

10/01/2026

We’re excited to celebrate our friends at The Recyclery as they mark 20 years of serving our community! 🚲🎉

Their annual Tailwind for Tools bike party returns October 18 with live music, food, games, raffles, and more.

Congratulations to The Recyclery on 20 years of making an impact in our community! Join them in celebrating this incredible milestone.

Celebrate 20 Years of The Recyclery at our annual Bike Party & Fundraiser: Tailwind for Tools!

Sunday, October 18th, 2-6pm Jarvis Square Al Fresco.... it's going to be a great time!

09/29/2026

The Cubs are headed to the postseason, and we’re rooting them on! ⚾🐻

With the Cubs taking the field tonight, we can’t help but think back to a special day at Wrigley a few weeks ago. Thanks to the generosity of the Bill Nelson Memorial Foundation, we had the chance to take a group of young people to experience a Cubs game in person.

Think back to your first time at Wrigley Field. Seeing the field, hearing the crowd, and taking in the energy of the ballpark for the first time is something you don’t easily forget. For some of our young people, this was that day. 💙

We’re incredibly grateful to the Bill Nelson Memorial Foundation for making this outing possible. It’s support like this that helps bring new experiences and special moments into the lives of young people at Y.O.U.

Want to help make more moments like this possible?

Support Y.O.U.: https://youthandopportunityunited.app.neoncrm.com/forms/main-donation-page

Tonight, we’ll be cheering right along with the rest of Chicago. Go Cubs! ⚾💙

09/28/2026

Building something new at Foster. 🧱✨

We’re excited to begin our first year of Y.O.U. Afterschool at Foster Elementary, part of Evanston/Skokie School District 65!

And just a few weeks in, young people are already making themselves at home and finding their place in the Y.O.U. community.

Foster joins Dawes, King Arts, Nichols, and Chute, where Y.O.U. Afterschool is creating more opportunities for young people beyond the school day.

And there’s still an opportunity for your family to be part of it.

Space is still available at participating sites! Start the registration process by completing our Pre-Registration Form below.

We’re excited for everything ahead this year!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeP5R_wYJBKSeGp37HBA7w7RrSrxZy3q-N2WxIvkQ1XdQVe-g/viewform

09/10/2026

Has your family completed registration yet?

Y.O.U. After-School is available at:

📍 Dawes Elementary — Grades 2–5
📍 Foster Elementary — Grades 2–5
📍 King Arts — Grades 3–8
📍 Nichols Middle School — Grades 6–8
📍 Chute Middle School — Grades 6–8

Complete the pre-registration form today to begin the registration process.

🔗 Facebook: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeP5R_wYJBKSeGp37HBA7w7RrSrxZy3q-N2WxIvkQ1XdQVe-g/viewform

Having trouble accessing the pre-registration form?
Email [email protected] for assistance.

We’re excited to get another year of After-School underway! 🙌

09/08/2026

After-School starts in less than ONE WEEK! ⏰🎉

We’re getting ready to welcome young people back, including into spaces like our Lewis-Sebring MakerSpace, where youth can experiment, build, problem-solve, and bring their ideas to life through hands-on projects.

With our 2026–2027 After-School Program beginning September 14, now is the time to get started if your family plans to participate.

Complete the Pre-Registration Form today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeP5R_wYJBKSeGp37HBA7w7RrSrxZy3q-N2WxIvkQ1XdQVe-g/viewform

Pre-registration reserves your spot but does not complete registration. After you submit the form, please allow 1–3 business days for our team to review your information and email you with the next steps to complete registration.

Having trouble accessing the Pre-Registration Form? Email [email protected] for assistance. Our team can help you through the process.

September 14 will be here before we know it — start your pre-registration today! 🙌