Meet the Current and Past YLA Winners

2024 John E. Rooney Dynamic Scholar

Marte

Marte Jackson

Marte Jackson, an 18-year-old business management major at St. Xavier University, exemplifies resilience and ambition through his perseverance in UCAN's foster care program

2024 Steans Family Foundation Award Recipient

Ogechi

Ogechi Onyewuchi

Ogechi Onyewuchi, a 20-year-old Health and Human Services major at Northern Illinois University, began shaping her future through the transformative work with UCAN's Work Force Development program.

2024 Youth Leadership Award Recipients

Miracle

Miracle Calhoun

Miracle Calhoun, an 18-year-old student at Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, is set to attend Talladega College as a Biology major. She is empowered and guided by her work with the VIPS mentoring program at UCAN.

Lysandra

Lysandra Maldonado

Lysandra Maldonado , an 18 year-old who attends North-Grand High School plans to obtain her business license and has gained a strong sense of professional and personal development through her participation in UCAN's DFLN program.

Kayla

Kayla Miller

Kayla Miller, a 17-year-old that attends the Community Youth Development Institute and takes dual enrollment at Kennedy King College and Saint Xavier University, receives her foundational support from UCAN's Professional Foster Parent, Educational Mentoring, and Youth Development programs.

Tommya

Tommya Pryor

Tommya Pryor is an 18-year-old, that attends UCAN South. With plans to attend Illinois Central College and major in Criminal Justice or Business, is guided by her support at the UCAN Academy program.

Akylah

Akylah Weems-Wilder

Akylah Weems Wilder, a 20-year-old Health and Human Services major at Northern Illinois University, who received her professional jumpstart through UCAN's Work Force Development Program.