Social Development Services

Life skills education:

We provide adult-facilitated peer groups where youth can openly discuss positive ways to respond to issues such as peer pressure, substance abuse, gangs, health, nutrition, sexuality, family dynamics, anger management, and violence. Many of our life-skill peer groups use research-based, best-practice curriculums.

Parental support:

Monthly potlucks at all Y.O.U. sites feature family activities or parent education programs offered in collaboration with Peer Services, Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4), and other partner agencies. Our staff also works one-on-one with all parents of youth participants through an initial conference, regular phone and face-to-face contact, and periodic home visits.

Life skills education:

We provide adult-facilitated peer groups where youth can openly discuss positive ways to respond to issues such as peer pressure, substance abuse, gangs, health, nutrition, sexuality, family dynamics, anger management, and violence. Many of our life-skill peer groups use research-based, best-practice curriculums.

Cultural and artistic activities:

Y.O.U. participants enjoy a broad range of community and cultural activities, including visits to museums, other educational field trips, and in-house enrichment activities involving ethnic identity and creative and artistic projects. These activities are led by staff, volunteers, or outside providers such as the Open Studio Project, Soul Creations, and Escola de Samba (through the Music Institute of Chicago).

Recreational and athletic activities:

We provide a wide choice of daily outdoor and indoor sports and games appealing both to girls and boys, including football, basketball, softball, pool, ping-pong, and rope skipping. There are also bike hikes, swimming at the YMCA, or trips to a beach or water park. Our “GoGirlGo!” activities focus on nutrition, positive body image, and confidence, while engaging girls in physical exercise.

Other experiences that are new to many students include camping trips, comic book art lessons, samba dance and percussion lessons, poetry workshops, and hip-hop dance classes.