Our Mission and Vision

Y.O.U. is a youth development agency…

Y.O.U. does not seek to “fix broken kids,” rather, it is our goal that all young people have what all young people need. Our central programmatic philosophy is "Positive Youth Development" – a holistic approach based on the belief that all young people need a wide range of "assets" in their lives if they are to have positive, fulfilling lives. One well-respected categorization of these assets is: relationships and support, empowerment and safety, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and a positive identity.

…that provides services…

Y.O.U. provides an array of services that respond to the unmet needs of the young people we serve. Those services include academic assistance, life skills education, social skill development, recreational and athletic activities, cultural and artistic activities, parental support, crisis intervention, mentoring, case management, and individual, group, and family counseling.

...and leadership...

Y.O.U. is concerned about all young people, not only about those who participate in our services. One of our founding documents in 197I asked of the community,' “Can We Serve Them AII?" Only through a broad, coordinated, and cooperative network of active concern can communities provide an affirmative answer. We aspire to provide leadership for partnerships, support, and advocacy for all who care about and care for young people.

…to meet the emerging needs…

Y.O.U. embraces change as a constant in youth services. Over the years, we have focused at various times on 'hippy kids," social isolates, gang members, immigrant families, and others. From time-to-time, we have provided services for high school, middle school, and elementary school students. We have worked city-wide and in particular neighborhoods. A former board member, in talking about our commitment to meet emerging needs, said "Y.O.U. is Evanston's most nimble agency." We aspire to live up to that characterization.

…of young people and their families…

Y.O.U. is defined by who we serve—young people—not only by the services we provide. Our core concern is each whole young person. We believe that young people are best served when they have healthy families at the center of their lives. Parents also need our support.

…in our community.

Y.O.U. is community-based. Helping young people build positive relationships lies at the heart of all we do, and relationships with a rich array of family, peers, adults, and institutions form the fabric of the larger, diverse communities to which we are responsible.

Our Vision

It is our goal that all young people acquire the skills, self-confidence, and opportunity to participate fully, freely, and responsibly in the life of the community.

Our Philosophy

Our central programmatic philosophy is Positive Youth Development. At YO.U., we believe the elements necessary for Positive Youth Development include a safe environment, caring adults, positive messages and encouragement, a sense of belonging, and a sense of empowerment. This is why we are guided by the 40 Developmental Assets tm as identified by the Search Institute, which can be found at  www.search-institute.org/assets.