About Our Program
Through a combination of education, skill-building, and community engagement, the program empowers participants to become active agents of change in their community. To date, we have helped hundreds of youth realize their true potential, growing up to be thriving adults. By fostering a sense of empathy, self-awareness, and social responsibility, the program encourages youth to reject violence as a means of resolving conflicts and to actively work towards creating a more peaceful and inclusive society.
The program’s focus on early intervention strategies, such as conflict resolution and emotional intelligence, helps participants develop healthy ways to manage their emotions and navigate challenging situations. By cultivating these skills, the program works to break the cycle of violence and create lasting, positive change in the Greater Grand Crossing community.
In addition to addressing the immediate needs of participants, the program also works to create a ripple effect throughout the community. By empowering youth to become leaders in violence prevention, they can inspire and educate their peers, families, and neighbors. This can lead to a more united and resilient community, better equipped to address the challenges of violence and create a safer environment for future generations. Furthermore, the program’s focus on providing resources and support for parents and caretakers helps to create a stronger foundation for the entire community.
By promoting economic stability, education, and positive role models, the program contributes to the long-term well-being and prosperity of the Greater Grand Crossing area.
Program Description
AAK Leadership Development Initiative
Program Category & Model:
The AAK Leadership Development Initiative adopts a combination of established best practices and custom-designed models tailored to the specific needs of our community. We incorporate service-learning for youth, trauma-informed and evidence-based practices, hands-on learning, field trips, and resources and support services for parents.
This hybrid approach allows us to leverage proven strategies while addressing unique local challenges and opportunities.
Our program is grounded in the understanding that youth in at-risk communities benefit significantly from comprehensive development programs that integrate academic support, leadership training, and community engagement. By combining best practices with innovative, context-specific activities, we aim to foster resilience, civic responsibility, and personal growth among our participants.
Program Description and Activities:
- Quarterly Food Pantry: Led by participating youth, this initiative addresses local food insecurity while teaching organizational and leadership skills. Youth coordinate the distribution of food to families in need, fostering a sense of community and responsibility.
- AAK Youth Empowerment Picnic: This event provides a platform for youth to engage with community members and showcase their projects and achievements. It serves as both a celebration and a networking opportunity.
- Graduation Brunch: A formal event to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of program participants. Families and community leaders are invited to acknowledge the youth’s hard work and dedication.
- Clean The Block, Help Our Seniors Event: Youth participate in community clean-up events, such as raking leaves and shoveling snow. This activity promotes civic engagement and strengthens intergenerational bonds by helping seniors in the neighborhood.
- Contemporary Art Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, and Ice Cream Museum: These educational field trips provide exposure to culture, science, and the arts, broadening participants’ horizons and inspiring curiosity and learning.
- Life Skills Development: Workshops on essential life skills such as communication, time management, and financial literacy, aimed at preparing youth for adulthood and independent living.
- Professional Development Workshops: Hosted by professionals in various fields, these workshops cover topics such as childcare, esthetics, business, financial literacy, real estate, and stocks. Participants gain diverse knowledge and skills that enhance their personal and professional development.
- First Deliverance Church Workshops: Focused on violence prevention, de-escalation, conflict mediation, and professional development, these sessions are designed to equip youth with the tools to navigate and resolve conflicts peacefully and pursue career opportunities.
Industry-Related Credentials: This program offers a Child Development Associate (CDA) curriculum, helping interested youth work towards their CDA certification. This credential enhances career prospects in the field of child development and early childhood education.
Program Schedule:
- Weekly Sessions: Core activities, including life skills development, mentoring sessions, and academic support, will be conducted on weekdays after school.
- Biweekly Workshops: Professional development workshops will take place every two weeks, typically on weekends.
- Quarterly Events: The Food Pantry initiative and community clean-up events will be held quarterly.
- Monthly Field Trips: Educational field trips to museums will be scheduled monthly.
- Annual Celebrations: The Youth Empowerment Picnic and Graduation Brunch will be held annually to celebrate milestones and achievements.
The AAK Leadership Development Initiative will be housed at our facility located at 510 E. 75th St., Chicago, IL 60619, in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. This facility provides a safe and supportive environment for our program activities, featuring multiple classrooms, counseling rooms, a multi-purpose hall, and administrative offices. The central location is easily accessible to participants and their families, ensuring consistent engagement and participation.
AAK Leadership Development Incentive: The AAK Leadership Development Incentive Program is designed to motivate and reward participants for their commitment and progress. Financial incentives totaling $22,500 will be provided to 25 youth over three months. Each participant will receive $900, disbursed in six biweekly installments of $150 in the form of gift cards. This incentive structure supports youth financially and encourages consistent engagement and achievement throughout the program, fostering a sense of responsibility, commitment, and accomplishment.
Program Goals, Outcomes, and Benefits for Youth
The AAK Leadership Development Initiative aims to achieve several key outcomes for participating youth.
First, youth will demonstrate increased confidence, responsibility, and decision-making abilities, measured through leadership assessments, participant feedback, and mentor evaluations. Additionally, participants will show greater involvement in community service and civic activities, evidenced by attendance records, the number of completed community projects, and feedback from community members.
The program also targets improvements in academic performance and vocational skills, with progress tracked through academic reports, vocational training completion rates, and CDA certification attainment. Furthermore, youth will display better emotional regulation, empathy, and social interactions, as assessed through behavioral evaluations, counseling reports, and self-assessments. Finally, a reduction in violent incidents and an enhanced sense of safety among participants will be monitored via incident reports, surveys, and feedback from schools and community organizations.
Participants will engage in workshops focusing on essential life skills such as communication, financial literacy, and time management, preparing them for adulthood and independent living.
Improving Academic
Tutoring sessions and academic support will be provided to help youth improve their grades, enhance their study habits, and achieve academic success. Recreation, Sports and
Cultural /Artistic Activities
Youth will participate in various recreational, sports, and cultural activities that promote physical fitness, creativity, and teamwork.
Service-Learning Activities
Through service-learning projects like community clean-ups and food pantry coordination, youth will develop a sense of civic duty and leadership skills.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Through service-learning projects like community clean-ups and food pantry coordination, youth will develop a sense of civic duty and leadership skills.
STEM activities will engage participants in hands-on learning experiences that foster interest and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Indicate the total unduplicated number of youths projected to be served by this program 25
Tess M. McKenzie, M.Ed.