Initiatives

Learn: Download the AAI Fact Sheet (PDF)

Helping young men succeed

Several years ago, United Way brought together African American leaders and asked what were the biggest challenges their communities faced and what it would take to create change. The African American Initiative was born from those discussions.

The African American Initiative (AAI) works with communities across Chicagoland to achieve a single goal—helpi African American boys, ages 10-16, grow into responsible adults who can become positive leaders in their communities.

Now in it’s third year of programming, AAI focuses on development of African American male youth through building positive relationships with their families, peers and communities. It offers skills, self-esteen development and an understanding for the importance of education. AAI partners with teamwork Englewood, Centers for new Horizons, Metropolitan Family Services, YMEN, and ONE.

We’re accomplishing tremendous things, but we need your involvement. Watch our video and see how the African American Initiative is changing young lives.

Latino Initiative

New approaches to Latino youth

United Way’s Latino Initiative(LI) focuses on helping Latino youth transition successfully into adulthood, particularly in the communities of Cicero, Belmot, Cragin, Highwood, and Rodgers Park. We engage leaders, residents and community advocates to develop the best programs that help young Latinos thrive and reach their goals.

Latino Initiative programming helps youth speak out against violence, understand the importance of education, learn life skills and create healthy family and social roles. Now in it’s second year of programming, LI does this by partnering with ONE, Metro Family Services, Cicero Youth Task Force, and Family Services.

Stay In School Initiative

United Way and Exelon partnered just five years ago to deliver critical after-school services to CPS grammar and high schools that are keeping students on track for graduation, improving their course grades, and building their leadership and pro-social behaviors.

Exelon and United Way created the Stay in School Initiative to bring new resources into communities that experienced some of the highest drop out rates in the city. Stay in School delivers a holistic menu of wrap-around services that draws in the students’ families, builds students’ academic and career skills with corporate mentors, and focuses on keeping them on track for graduation and college.

One of the strongest assets to the Stay in School Initiative is the Saturday Mentoring Workshops Program. Immersing students in the corporate culture, Saturday Mentoring Workshops give students an understanding of business basics, the secrets of networking, presentation and interviewing skills.

Now reaching the fifth year milestone, the Stay in School Initiative is following its first group of students into college – illustrating the strong, long-term relationships this successful program achieves. The Stay in School Initiative has served more than 9,000 students, ages 13-20, since its inception. During this school year, another 2,000 students will be served.

But what truly stands out about the Stay in School Initiative are the results. Here are some statistics from this past year’s progress report:

• 92 seniors, or 98% graduated in the 2009-2010 academic year
  
• 223 non-seniors, or 94% were promoted to the next grade
  
• 275 youth, or 83% participated in leadership-based activity
  
• 260 youth, or 79% are working towards postsecondary education

View the 2010 Progress Report (JPG)

View the FY10 Annual Report (PDF)