Col. Pritzker, Lewis-Sebring Foundation Donate $2.5M for New Y.O.U. Headquarters

The following was submitted by Y.O.U.:

Col. Jennifer N. Pritzker and the Lewis-Sebring Family Foundation are joining together to contribute over $2.5 million of support in land value and cash gifts to support Youth Organizations Umbrella (Y.O.U.) in developing a new headquarters for its youth development activities. The headquarters at 1911 Church Street will offer transformative learning spaces for youth, office space for Y.O.U. staff, and exciting opportunities for collaboration among youth-serving agencies.

Col. Pritzker is providing a gift valued at $1.5 million in support for the project, including donating the land at 1911 Church Street to Y.O.U. and making a generous cash gift. The Lewis-Sebring Family Foundation is providing $1 million in additional financial support.

“We truly admire the commitment of Col. Pritzker and the Lewis-Sebring family to our Evanston community,” said Seth Green, Executive Director of Y.O.U. “With their support and that of many others in our community, we look forward to realizing a transformational new headquarters for Y.O.U. and the youth and families we serve.”

Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl said, “The generosity of Jennifer Pritzker and the Lewis-Sebring family is wonderful news for the young people Y.O.U. serves, wonderful news for the neighborhood, and wonderful news for the entire city.”

Fifth Ward Alderman Delores Holmes adds, “It is always heartwarming when there is an investment made in this part of our community. I am pleased and excited for Y.O.U as they expand services for youth and families made possible by these generous donations.”
ETHS District 202 Superintendent Eric Witherspoon, meanwhile, noted that “Y.O.U. is a core partner in ETHS’ efforts to realize equity and excellence. We are truly excited by the prospect of having Y.O.U.’s headquarters across the street, and grateful to the philanthropists who are helping to make this vision possible.”

Col. Pritzker is an Evanston resident and is deeply committed to the community. Likewise, the Lewis-Sebring Family Foundation is tied to three families which have long called Evanston their home: Chuck Lewis and Penny Sebring, Peter and Rachel Lewis, and Casey Lewis Varela and George Varela. Peter is a member of the Y.O.U. board.
With these foundational gifts solidified, Y.O.U. says its next stage of development will be developing plans for the building and construction. Y.O.U. is planning focus groups with youth and staff, collaborative meetings with community stakeholders, and observational visits to peer agencies’ youth spaces as part of its design process. Y.O.U. will also be continuing to fundraise for this project with the hope to occupy the new building by the summer of 2016.

About Y.O.U. Since 1971, Y.O.U. has provided services and leadership to meet the emerging needs of young people and their families. Each year, we serve over 1,000 youth and touch more than 3,000 family members with a holistic set of services that includes after-school enrichment, summer learning, mental health counseling, and mentorship. These services ensure youth success across all of their different environments - in school, at home, in the community, and in moments of crisis. Learn more about our impact at www.youevanston.org.

Photo: Participants in Y.O.U. summer programs talk about their experiences at the recent Y.O.U. Summer Showcase. Credit: Y.O.U.