Our Partners

School District 65 is a pre-k through 8th grade public school district that serves more than 6,500 students. D65 educates each student to succeed in and contribute to our global community by cultivating creativity, compassion and the pursuit of excellence.  D65 and Y.O.U. have successfully worked together to run afterschool and summer programs at Oakton and Washington Elementary Schools and at Chute and Nichols Middle Schools. Our program evaluations consistently demonstrate that students enrolled in these programs have made significant academic gains, as well as gains in their work habits and behavior.

Evanston Township High School (ETHS) District 202 is a four-year (9-12), comprehensive high school that serves nearly 3,000 students. Embracing its diversity, ETHS dedicates itself to educating all students to their fullest potential. ETHS and Y.O.U. implement are partners in an after-school program that provides ETHS students with academic assistance, enrichment activities, and mentorship.

Evanston Athletic Club founded in 1980, has established and maintained a position at the forefront of Chicago- area health clubs. EAC’s 55,000 square foot facility provides a comfortable and spacious atmosphere where outstanding staff are committed to helping individuals achieve a healthy lifestyle, including Y.O.U.  EAC has welcomed many Y.O.U. youth, and has assisted them in reaching their fitness goals.

The Loft of the Evanston Public Library endeavors to create an environment both within the Loft and throughout the Evanston community that promotes a welcoming, respectful, engaging and safe atmosphere for middle and high school youth. Self-expression, participation, and intellectual exploration are affirmed and meaningful connections are made through the power of story.  Loft staff actively engage youth, including Y.O.U. participants, in a variety of programming that includes, but is not restricted to, book groups, arts, theatre, writing, bike maintenance, homework help, and science cafés.

Family Focus Evanston is a family support organization that provides innovative programming to address individual needs at various stages of life.  Programs in the areas of education, vocation, social, emotional health and wellness, strive to enhance overall well-being and strengthen families.  One such program is Teen REACH, which operates in collaboration with Y.O.U. and offers specialized academic and youth development activities to youth between the ages of 11-14.

The Harbour is a nonprofit organization providing emergency shelter, transitional housing and social services to homeless youth in the north and northwest Chicago suburbs.  Together with Y.O.U. and other community partners, The Harbour ensures a continuum of care designed to enhance self-sufficiency and success to at-risk youth in the area.

Open Studio Project (OSP) is a non-profit arts and social service organization that provides stimulating and powerful programming combining visual arts and writing, with a special emphasis on using the creative arts to inspire personal growth, interpersonal understanding, and social change. OSP actively engages nearly 3000 participants in its workshops and classes – including over 200 Y.O.U. youth – helping participants to realize their artistic and creative potential.

PEER (Prevention, Education, Evaluation, Recovery) Services is a non-profit agency dedicated to the prevention and treatment of substance abuse problems in Evanston and surrounding communities.  Since 1975, PEER Services’ highly trained Prevention Specialists and Master’s level counselors have been collaborating with Y.O.U. staff to prevent and address substance abuse among Evanston youth. Together, PEER Services and Y.O.U. provide local youth with a safe environment and the necessary skills to develop into healthy, productive adults.  In addition to its programs for youth, PEER Services also provides separate treatment programs for adults, older adults and individuals who have been charged with driving under the influence.

Public Allies mission is to advance new leadership to strengthen communities, nonprofits and civic participation. Public Allies provides ongoing support to a number of Y.O.U. staff. For more than 17 years, Public Allies Chicago has engaged young people from all backgrounds and transformed them into active leaders in a variety of community and public service organizations. This active leadership has engaged communities throughout the region, increased civic participation and built nonprofit capacity while expanding and enhancing services to meet local needs.

Scientists for Tomorrow

Scientists for Tomorrow partners with 15 minority-serving, community-based organizations, as well as the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum and the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance to further the project that uses small group mentoring to make science and technology accessible to youth through after-school programming and related special events.

The McGaw YMCA strives to nurture the potential of the youth of our community. The Y believes that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That’s why the Y opens its doors in partnership with Y.O.U. to help Y.O.U. participants cultivate the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement.

The YWCA Evanston/North Shore is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. The YWCA collaborates with Y.O.U. in working with the young men and women of Y.O.U. ETHS using its Building Healthy Relationships (BHR) initiative, which helps teens and young adults learn how to identify and avoid harmful and abusive behavior and overcome stereotypes. An additional purpose and goal of the collaboration is to develop a mentoring group to work with middle school students.