Y.O.U. Youth Share Their Summer Experiences with Community

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

Nearly 300 family and community members joined 75 youth for a night of sharing and community building at this year’s Y.O.U. Summer Showcase on Thursday, August 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Nichols Middle School. Visitors learned learn firsthand about the different enrichment activities and groups that comprised their summer experience. Set up like an expo, guests listened to youth-led presentations about specific projects, watched live performances, cheered as elementary youth took on their parents at basketball, and observed youth transform a blank canvas into a mural.

Highlights of the night included business pitches from high school youth in Y.O.U.’s Youth Entrepreneurship Summer (YES!) camp; food samples from the middle school gardening group that included vegetables and seasonings grown and harvested by the youth in Y.O.U.’s garden; presentations from youth in middle and high school on healthy relationships; and an elementary dance performance that left the whole room clapping along.

Y.O.U. also treated guests to a complementary cupcake from the Sweet Rides food truck.

“The event was a wonderful celebration of our extraordinary youth and the amazing projects they’ve completed this summer,” said Seth Green, Y.O.U.’s Executive Director.

Y.O.U.’s no cost, daily, nine-week summer program engages youth in fun-filled activities exploring arts and culture, science and technology, and sports and recreation. Studies show that participation in high-quality summer learning programs adds up to a five month learning gain for students when they return to school in the fall. This summer Y.O.U. is serving 450 Evanston and Skokie youth through eight unique summer camps.

“Our summer program is all about experiential learning that helps youth grow academically, socially, and emotionally,” said Green. “This summer we were able to reach more youth than ever before with transformative and engaging programming that kept youth active and learning.”

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 4,000 family members with a holistic set of services that includes after-school enrichment, emotional support, 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 courtesy of Y.O.U.