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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We all know time can pass by us in a blur. That is why we give special praise to those who slow down, take some time to reflect, and give a little bit of their most cherished resource… their time.
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In this series, youth poised to be Chicago’s future leaders (UCAN program participants and recent alumni) interview current Chicago leaders in their fields of interest. For our second episode, Briana Owens, an aspiring broadcaster and currently a student at Ithaca College, interviews Brandis Griffith-Friedman, a correspondent and segment host for Chicago Tonight, on WTTW, Chicago’s… Read more »
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One of the most impactful ways a loyal donor can enrich the lives of others is through a planned gift.
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UCAN’s female mentoring group gleaned its name from a famous Maya Angelou poem, Phenomenal Woman, originally published in 1978.
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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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For those unfamiliar with the term and tradition, a trunk party is a celebration where generous donors contribute items youth heading to college need for their dorm room or class materials — and on August 3, UCAN hosted its first-ever trunk party. Sixty youth from the community and various UCAN programming joined family, friends and staff in… Read more »
ViewIf you missed the great idea sharing and networking at the 4th Annual Impact Youth Conference on May 11-12 at the Gary Comer Youth Center, check out the news coverage on WGN-TV. More than 500 Chicago youth and youth advocates convened to address the real-life challenges our youth face like violence and trauma. Thanks to… Read more »
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In 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. moved into a decrepit apartment at 1550 S. Hamlin St.- in North Lawndale- with the goal of bringing his previous successes in the Civil Rights Movement in the South to Chicago. That top floor apartment became the headquarters for Dr. King’s Chicago Freedom Movement. While living in North Lawndale… Read more »
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