As #NationalFosterCareMonth comes to a close this May, we’re spreading awareness with inspiring stories on our foster parents, employees, and youth. Today, meet foster care alumna Kemisha Swan. Come June 1, you can go online to pick up Miss Swan’s Perfect BBQ Sauce to add to your summer cookout lineup – and thank UCAN alumna Kemisha Swan for tickling your taste… Read more »
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It’s been over two years since Anthony “Tony” Green returned from his trip to India with the Peace Exchange, a local Chicago nonprofit that UCAN partners with, which aims to “prepare young Chicagoans to be leaders, role models, mentors and peacemakers through education, transformational travel and outreach to youth.” After his trip, we caught up… Read more »
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UCAN youth, Taylor Kerr, sat down with Dr. Aaron Jackson of MedVet, to learn about his field.
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The Express Performance Therapy program, founded in 2018 by UCAN therapists Dejanae Byrd and Deanna Pacelli, helps our youth explore new emotions and encourages self-discovery through acting. For many of the youth, this is their first experience with acting, though some have dabbled with school plays. Express isn’t meant to feel like therapy, it’s… Read more »
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At the very core of UCAN is youth development. It’s the underlying constant within each program, and of the tools used to support their development, mentoring remains one of the strongest and most effective. “Mentor” can mean someone who you look up to or someone you aspire to be. It can be someone who pushes… Read more »
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In 2002, lightning struck within the halls of UCAN. Three young men took their friendship and talent to new heights by founding the Uhlich Voices program.
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Summer means sun, fun and no school. But unfortunately, summer in Chicago also has come to mean a spike in gun violence in too many neighborhoods. In response, to provide youth with engaging activities in safe spaces that raise awareness of the risks and positively support youth, the MacArthur Foundation awarded UCAN 12 mini grants… Read more »
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“It’s not just about cutting hair; that’s only one aspect of being a barber,” explains Garland “G-Whiz” Fox of the Education & Artistic Team at Wahl Professional. The Illinois-based company, famous for its grooming products, partnered with UCAN and His & Hers Barber School to create the Wahl “Fade It Forward” MentorshipProgram. Selected youth from… Read more »
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“Before I found out I was pregnant, I had always wanted a baby, because I wanted someone to love me,” says UCAN alumni Charlestein (Charlie) Dantzler. “My mom claimed she was in the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) system, she said her mom was in DCFS, and then (my sisters and I) were… Read more »
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“Without UCAN I wouldn’t be in school,” says Ariyan Moore, who just completed orientation week at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. Growing up, his experience with school was difficult. Though he has lived in Chicago his entire life, he moved around many times as a child, and attended five different elementary schools. Ariyan… Read more »
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