AMESSAGEFROM THEEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR
Dear Friends,
Thank you for being a part of Youth Outreach Services (YOS) for another year! Our FY23 was remarkable, and I am glad to report that our organization continued to grow and evolve. The collective impact of our work cannot be understated. With that in mind, I am pleased to present YOS's Annual Report for 2023!
This report reflects on the circle of support, which encompasses YOS, our staff, board members, parents, community partners, volunteers, supporters, and, most importantly, the communities we serve. Together, we have accomplished so much this year. Our dedicated team directly served over 2,000 young people, each of whom we've made a positive difference in their lives. This is a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we work together towards a common goal.
For nearly 65 years, YOS has kept its focus on its vision to create a world where all young people can have safe, healthy, and meaningful lives. Our commitment to culturally responsive, lifechanging resources and services to youth through substance use prevention education, counseling, immediate safety and shelter, and creating opportunities for young people to thrive remains unwavering. Every decision I make in my leadership role is based on how it will benefit the youth and families we serve and how I can support our amazing staff who are called to do this work.
We are deeply grateful for your support and commitment, which has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of young people and families throughout Cook County and surrounding communities. Your contributions have laid a strong foundation for progress.
As this year concludes, we look to the future with optimism and determination. We are poised to continue shaping futures and transforming lives, guided by past lessons and fueled by the vision of a brighter tomorrow
Once again, thank you for being an essential part of this incredible journey. Here's to the past, present, and future of YOS!
Thank you!
JAMIE NOTO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MeetourBoardofDirectors
The YOS Board of Directors is an integral part of furthering the agency's mission, vision and goals, helping to ensure the safety and well being of youth and families served
Karl Stark (Chair)
Avondale Consulting
Jose Pinones (Vice-Chair)
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Chicago
Silvia Talavera (Secretary)
Jaguar Land Rover North America
Charles A. Krugel (Treasurer)
Labor & Employment Law
Nikki Hale
Nikki Hale Consulting Inc
Danny Hest
Togo Group
Mike Hessling
Gallagher Bassett North America
Sean-Lamar Hudson
Harry S Truman College, City Colleges of Chicago
Michelle Menconi
Hendricksen
Russell Monco
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Nicole Osequeda, LMFT
Lincoln Park Therapy Group
Johanna Spellman
Latham & Watkins, LLP
Donald Robinson
Vantage Point Financial LLC
Jamie Noto
Youth Outreach Services
AboutUs
Youth Outreach Services (YOS) is dedicated to caring for youth in and around Chicago, inspiring positive development in their lives, families, and communities. Founded in 1959, YOS serves approximately 3,000 youth and their families each year through a wide variety of prevention, counseling, juvenile justice, and child welfare services. We believe all kids are capable of excellence and are committed to providing the community-basedsupporttheyneedtoovercomechallengesandsucceed.
Our Vision
A society that treasures the safety, well-being and self-worth of every child.
Our Mission
Youth Outreach Services promotes the strengths and abilities of youth and families by providing community-based services that empower and enrich each to face life’s challenges with confidence, competence and dignity.
YOSComprehensiveServices
PREVENTION
YOS offers in-school prevention and out-ofschool programs to help youth develop the skills, opportunities, and recognition to make good choices and pursue positive activities. These programs focus on substance use and teen pregnancy prevention.
YOS's prevention team also oversees a summer employment program that offers financial literacy and life skills training, including communication, leadership, and conflict resolution
COUNSELING
YOS offers various services, including one-onone, group, or family services, evidence-based outpatient behavioral health services, substance use and crisis intervention, mentorship/outreach, and case management, profoundly impacting youth's lives.
CHILD WELFARE
YOS helps homeless and runaway male youths at our Homeless Youth facility, where they can prepare for successful adulthood in a safe and supportive environment. The agency refers homeless and runaway female youths to one of several trusted nonprofit partners around Chicago
JUVENILE JUSTICE
YOS assists youth awaiting court and supports those leaving the juvenile justice system and reintegrating into the community. Working with the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and the Cook County Juvenile Court and Probation Services, YOS serves youth in a detention facility after returning to their neighborhood.
ServiceHours
We provided 23,798 services hours to clients with behavioral, mental health and/ or substance use problems.
BUILDINGFUTURES, TOGETHER
In Fiscal Year 2023, Youth Outreach Services served 2,039 clients.
849-YOUTHSSERVEDIN
CLASSROOMS
473- Middle and high school-age youths received:
Substance use education in the classroom
Project ALERT, an evidence-based drug use prevention program that teaches youth how to resist drugs and alcohol.
376- Middle and high school-age youths received:
Comprehensive sex education on teenage pregnancy prevention in a school setting. A successful component of the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP).
YouthEmploymentProgram
Making a positive contribution to the community
YOSbelievescareerexplorationhelpsbuildastrongerconnectiontothe youths’communityandasenseofpurpose.
For several years, YOS has been an active participant in the One Summer Chicago summer employment program initiated by the City of Chicago. As part of this program, we directly hire young people aged 16-24 to work at YOS. Additionally, we provide computer labs for youth to complete their homework and apply for jobs.
YOS is deeply committed to helping youth prepare for productive and meaningful adulthood by focusing on self-sufficiency through employment and occupational training. Since the program's inception, we have successfully employed hundreds of young individuals and guided them in managing their responsibilities, demonstrating our unwavering dedication to the youth and the community.
In the summer of 2022, we reached a significant milestone by employing over 100 young people in the Chicago area and surrounding communities. Throughout the years, we have hired hundreds of youth and assisted them in learning how to manage their responsibilities.
Dear YOS,
I want to thank you again for your partnership this year We absolutely loved working with your team, including Diego, Nick, and Alana, this year Alana was a constant joy to be around, hardworking, flexible, friendly, and fun! I know there were tasks that Nico and Diego didn't love, but they approached each one with an open mind and worked very hard at our Wednesday evening programming events. I was so proud of them each day. Below is a picture of the interns with the final artwork we did with Arts Alive Chicago. It turned out so beautiful. We had a great summer!
We really hope to partner again next year. Stay in touch and let us know if there are any other opportunities for connection!
Thank you!
ChicagoCommunityImpactGrantsProgram
In September 2022, Youth Outreach Services received a grant from the Chicago Community Impact Grants program, supported by McDonald's Corporation. YOS was one of 40 Chicago-based organizations selected to receive funds. This grant provided additional resources supporting our commitment to addressing the critical needs of youth in the city. It was part of McDonald's initiative to make a positive contribution to the community. The $50,000 grant funding significantly improved our Youth Employment Program, benefiting our clients, families, and staff.
Furthermore, the McDonald's team went above and beyond by hosting an event at their headquarters to provide back-to-school supplies for our youth Their employees, with their time, skills, and energy, assembled backpacks filled with notebooks, writing utensils, and more We are deeply grateful for their dedication and the impact they've made through their Global Volunteer Program Their collaboration and the joy they brought to the task underscore the power of community engagement and teamwork, and we are all part of this inspiring journey.
All Hands Health Network spotlighted Youth Outreach Services (YOS) as a preferred Partner Provider. Based in Chicago, YOS has been making a significant impact since 1959, influencing and changing the lives of over 300,000 youths and families. Their focus is on at-risk individuals aged 12-21 across numerous communities. YOS's mission involves empowering youth and families through various community services and addressing challenges such as mental illness, domestic violence, substance use, and homelessness. They offer a broad spectrum of trauma-informed services, including counseling, child welfare, and juvenile justice interventions.
With over six decades of service, YOS collaborates with organizations like All Hands Health Network, ensuring youths access tailored mental health services. Jamie Noto, the Executive Director of YOS, emphasizes their commitment to empowering young people and their families for overcoming challenges and achieving success.
CBS2News-ShinesaLighton YouthOutreachServices
On May 18, 2023, CBS 2 News featured Youth Outreach Services (YOS) as part of Mental Health Action Day on the 6:00 PM evening news. Our very own employees were interviewed by CBS 2's Andrew Ramos.
Monica Montgomery, Program Manager for Re-Deploy, shared her insights on the impact of COVID-19 on youth and their mental health. From her experience over the past 12+ years at YOS, she has noticed a shift in that while the stigma about mental health has lessened, the challenges for teens have dramatically evolved.
We deeply appreciate their commitment to YOS, and the youth we serve, as well as shining a light on the meaningful work we do in 23 Chicago neighborhoods and 40+ suburban communities. By shining a light on our organization, CBS 2 was highlighting the meaningful work YOS does in the community.
The Art of
Wine & Chocolate
Spring Fundraiser
On June 1, 2023, Youth Outreach Service pandemic began. The event has not only feedback from the attendees, which is a
On behalf of the YOS Board of Directors, the event planning committee, and our team, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who sponsored the event, provided an inkind donation, or attended the “The Art of Wine & Chocolate” spring fundraiser at Loft on Lake.
Thursday, June 1, 2023 6:00 - 9:00 PM Loft on Lake
ThankYouToOurPartnersandFriends
Your MeanstheWorldtoUs
$10,000 +
Faye & Lee Alport Foundation
Helen Brach Foundation
McDonald’s Corporation
Northern Trust Foundation
The Entertainment Industry Foundation
The Paul M Angell Family Foundation
The Pelino Charitable Foundation
VNA Foundation
W.P. & H.B. White Foundation
$2,500 +
Community Memorial Foundation
Couponcabin
Danny Hest
George M. Eisenberg Foundation for Charities
Latham & Watkins
Michael And Valerie Hessling
Michelle Menconi/Hendriksen
Providence Bank & Trust
Quatrro Business Support Services
Union Pacific Foundation
$500 +
Alera Group
Assured Partners of Illinois
Avondale Strategic Partners
BDM Financial Services,
Bob's Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation
Charles Krugel
Contract Installations
Cormac
Dr. Joyce R Perry Ed.D.
Enterprise Fleet Management
Holly Johnson
Jamie Noto
Jill Stevenson
Johanna Spellman
Jymme Pemble Chaouki
Laurence Leive
Mark & Creed Woodka
Nicolle Osequeda
Preferred Communication Systems
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Qualifacts Systems
Rick And Kristin Velasquez
The Arthur J. Gallagher Foundation
VPF Vantage Point Financial
Your MeanstheWorldtoUs
$100 +
Amanda Cox
Amy Kelley
Andrea Hall
Ashley Luptak
Candace Mcdaniel
Caroline Nikolakakis
Charles & Vicky Hessling
Charles Payls
Christi Smith
Claudia Camarena
Cortelius Holmes
Dena Shadlow
Donald Robinson
Donald Rubin
Dr Vanessa Cisneros
Eliza Jacobs-Brichford
Elnora Smith
Eric Bunner
Fred and Garnett Cohen
Gene Boehm
Heather Witthoff
Howard Epstein
Jesse Lex
Jessica Morales
Joy Schaefer
Julia & Lonzia Casteel
Karl J Stark
Kristen Cabanban
Kyle Stern
Laura Jay
Lee Rusch
Margaret Domin
Maris Callahan
Mark McArthur
Monica Montgomery
Nikki Hale Consulting
Patricia Motto
Rachel Guidone
Rafaela Luna
Ramiro Martinez
Robert M Marovich
Rosa Reyes
Ryan Klucken
Sharon Grant
Silvia Talavera
Tamara Nowak
Thomas Kovac
Todd Boskey
Vince Arden
Will Rogers
William Griffeth
Xavier Martillo
Yourcause, For Abbvie
Under $100
Alexander Vargas
Allyn Trinidad
Allyson Komisar Bradford
Angela Rodriguez
Anita Mettille
Aym Dvyn
Beth Spallone
Beverly Elaine Malone
Carole Landman Feingold
Carolyn Barsano
Charley Smith
Christy Szkwarek
Daniel Cotter
Deb Wagner
Diane Wagner
Dianne Burgess
Elizabeth Ginter
Elle Young
Emma Vinciguerra
Frank Stark
Gregg M Elstien
Heidi Eichler
Jason Mayans
Jeanette Hendrix
Jessica Diluciano
Jessica Mayans
Jessica Warchol
Joey Gonzalez
Kari Sheridan
Kathleen Kaye
Kathy Duran
Kimiata Mottley
Laurel Wilbur Spallone
Lesley Panek
Lindsey Henderson-Kuka
Lutricia Banks
Mandisa Jones
Manny Chen
Mary Cominek
Michael Collins
Michael Skidmore
Under $100 cont.
Mike Prest
Nanette Oganovich
Nathan Wagner
Network For Good
Nora Hayes
Patricia Casey
Patricia Tuomey Martin
Paula Mccracken
Raymundo Galarza
Robert & Barbara Hess
Robert & Kathryn Sulin
Robin Stark
Ruth Bridgman
Ruth Parciak
Sandi Kolasa
Scott Flavin
Ted Kuhlmann
Terry & Donna Gardner
Theodore Yusen
Tom Ouimette
Tracy Downes
Yeshua Veloz
Yotl Ramirez
In-kind Donors
Adams & Sons & Daughter Gardens
Art of Imagination
Ashland Addison Florist
Blommer Chocolate Company
Brookfield Zoo - Chicago Zoological Society
Chicago Athletic Clubs
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Chicago Bears
Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant
Lou Malnati's
Mazars
Prudential
Suzzette Montiel
Wines For Humanity
World's Finest Chocolate
YOS’s work is made possible through the generosity of volunteers, donors, and sponsors.
-June30,2023.
