The best way to ensure the success of our community is to start with our youth.
Youth Options Unlimited (YOU) is part of our Expanded Learning Programs for Children and Youth, supporting the growth and development of at-risk students ages 12-18. YOU is a safe, supportive and enriching environment that both supplements and enhances formal classroom activities, while also stimulating a close-knit familial structure. YOU programs spark an interest in learning and improve academic and life skills; provide opportunities for peer mentoring and leadership development; and also facilitate safe, recreational alternatives.
To meet youth at their unique developmental stage, while also engaging their parents and caregivers, YOU offers the following:
Providing youth grades 7-12 with focused, academic support through weekly one-on-one tutoring sessions with mentors from a variety of professional fields
Math intensive workshops, science club, STEM Saturday workshop series, intentional recruitment of TEAM mentors in STEM careers, and Youth Career Day
Scientist for Tomorrow is a STEM program for middle school youth run in collaboration with the Science Institute at Columbia College Chicago.
Open dialogue on issues such as depression, sexuality, health and stress
Guidance from Chicago School of Professional Psychology externs
Develops YOU policy and plans Semester of Service, fundraisers and field trips
Multi-media apprenticeship in which teens learn elements of photography, video, design and journalism
On selective enrollment high schools, time management, leadership and resume writing
Support on a variety of topics such as domestic violence, parent-child communication, high school and college admission
Basketball and soccer leagues, volleyball and softball
Students must be between the ages of 12-18 to participate.
Monday - Thursday, 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Contact Erie House to be put on the wait list for our next session.
Director, YOU