YOS Summer 2021 Newsletter

S U M M E R 2021

Administrative Office 2411 W. Congress Pkwy.

Chicago, Illinois 60612 773.777.7112

WHAT’S UP WITH YOS SERVICES? MST-EA: Our Newest Intervention Model

yos.org/donate Committed to caring. Inspiring change.

Impact through Engagement

Upcoming Event

Youth participation in agency outings and events offers camaraderie with peers and mentors alike, and decreases the likelihood of their negative behaviors. It’s a chance to learn new skills, like communication or conflict resolution, and be able to apply them in their everyday lives. After several months of virtual activities, youth are finally starting to be able to meet in person, most recently at a bowling event and a Pride party. YOS’s LGBTQ+ Group hosted Pride activities like tie-dying t-shirts, pride-themed coloring, and decorating rainbow cookie. Youth shared that they joined this group to foster friendships and a sense of belonging, a sentiment affirmed throughout their weekly sessions.

The fun doesn’t stop there! Our Illinois Youth Center Chicago team organized thoughtful and informative activities for youth during the week leading up to Juneteenth, June 13-19th, 2021. Youth painted and listened to music while learning about cultural pride. Youth dressed in suits for a Men of Honor Day and presented about their own values of courtesy, respect, responsibility, safety, and etiquette.

During a Juneteenth BBQ, youth shared about their relationships with their fathers. They also participated in a lively discussion, African drumming, and a peaceful protest during “Coffee, Hip Hop and Mental Health”, speaking about current events and personal reflections.

If you are interested in volunteering or supporting any of these activities, please contact us at info@yos.org.

CCBYS Continues Stronger Than Ever

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR FUNDRAISER ON THE EVENING OF FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2021, AT BOTTOM LOUNGE CHICAGO.

YOS is grateful to announce that we received the highly competitive state grant for Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services (CCBYS) again this year from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Our goal is to increase family reunification, preserve and stabilize families, and to divert or minimize involvement in the child welfare and/or juvenile justice system.

YOS has served as a CCBYS provider for more than 30 years. Counselors are available 24/7 to provide support to youth ages 11-17 who are in crisis, have run away from home, are unable to return or have no home. With five offices spread across our westside territories, we ingrain ourselves in the community, leveraging partnerships with local police departments, housing providers, healthcare, education, collaborations, legal services, and workforce development agencies. Annually, we serve 400-500 youth alongside our partner agencies.

As the largest CCBYS provider in Illinois, we not only offer crisis intervention, counseling services, temporary housing, and wraparound supportive services. But we also continue to work with the Cook County Temporary Juvenile Detention Center when youth can be released but who remain there because a parent, guardian or custodian has failed to accept custody. Our crisis intervention hotline is available 24/7 at 773-777-7112.

www.yos.org/get-involved/events

At YOS we strive to reach as many youths as possible through direct services and, more recently, virtually. In the past year, we were able to reach over 600 youth just in our counseling services. As our youth participation continues to grow, we are constantly reevaluating our services to achieve the best possible outcomes. In late 2020, we implemented the Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults (MST-EA) model, which provides individualized treatments for young adults ages 17-26 with complex emotional, social, and academic needs, who are at the highest risk of negative long-term outcomes.

This evidence-based treatment model differs from our other family-based services because it works with youth one-on-one, meets three times per week, and spans up to the age 26. Typically, youth entering this program have a history of extensive juvenile justice system involvement and reoccurring problems such as substance use and behavioral disorders.

This service aligns with YOS’ goal to inspire positive development and provide ongoing support to keep the emerging adults out of prison.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE DONOR SPOTLIGHT:

Todd Boskey

How did you find out about YOS? A few years ago, I was looking to get involved with a local charity or social services program. I had a few tickets to the Ringling Brothers Circus over the Thanksgiving weekend show that I wanted to donate to an organization that could put them in the hands of some kids that would enjoy going. I spent a few days online researching numerous organizations and I kept coming back to Youth Outreach Services. Overall, I was impressed. A staff member met me in the suburbs for lunch and talked more about YOS. What are you passionate about, and how does YOS meet your interests? I’m interested in helping any teen or YOS client that is interested in helping themselves, either to get on the right track or stay on the right course with their life path. Teens face so many negative temptations or challenges in today’s world, especially in the inner-city neighborhoods, and any program that wants to assist in helping them improve their situations is a program that I want to be part of.

What has been most fulfilling about supporting YOS? Besides cash donations, I try to provide something tangible, either practical that a teen needs during the course of a typical month, or something a little nicer they might not otherwise experience (ballgame tickets, event outings, etc.). It is fulfilling to know those will be put to good use or enjoyed by the client. I’ve noticed that YOS counselors are really in tune with each of their clients, and are able to address any needs of the kids at any given time.

What do you believe would most transform and help our youth of today? For them to know there is help and assistance available, and that there is always hope. And also, the desire to embrace the positive, and push away the negative in their lives.

How do you feel when you make a gift? It’s of course a nice feeling, and I think I speak for all the YOS donors when I say we are happy to help an organization like YOS whose mission is to make the lives of teens going through difficult times a little better and aid in their development.

A year in a pandemic has made everyone count their blessings. We are so grateful for new donors, longtime supporters, staff, and our youth for their commitment to bettering our communities. If you would like to become involved in the organization, in any way, email us at philanthropy@yos.org.

FOUNDATION SPOTLIGHT Upswing Foundation: Launched in October 2020, The Upswing Fund for Adolescent Mental Health is a collaborative fund focused on the mental health and well-being of adolescents who are of color and/or LGBTQ+. Created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a devastating impact on young people across the United States, The Upswing Fund provides critical resources to front-line organizations that offer the services that young people rely on. In addition, the Fund supports efforts to address key systemic challenges in the adolescent mental health system, such as stigma around seeking mental health support.

Financial support from The Upswing Fund has enabled YOS to serve our POC and LGBTQ youth through counseling and familybased services.

Telligen Community Initiative provides funding to forwardlooking health-related projects with a vision “to empower organizations and citizens to improve their individual and overall community health.” TCI works to support projects in the areas of health innovation, health care workforce development, and access to care for the underserved. YOS is using the funds to break the costly cycle of juvenile incarceration through our detention alternative programs and civic engagement program.

Entertainment Industry Foundation connects the entertainment industry, artists, athletes, and influencers, with a gateway to giving. EIF manages the fund, Live Free 999, which was created by the mother of Jarad “Juice WRLD” Higgins, a Chicago-based rapper, to honor and support young people in their battles with addiction, anxiety, and depression. YOS helps our youth everyday with addiction and mental health services, through use of the Seven Challenges substance use program.

Foster Friess was an American Investment Manager who donated over $83 million dollars to various charities during the pandemic as well as throughout his lifetime alongside his wife, Lynnette Estes. YOS was inspired by Mr. Friess’ success and personal story as a first-generation college graduate. As one of our largest donations, YOS will use these funds to continue its innovative, comprehensive approach to addressing youths’ needs and barriers, instilling hope for a brighter future.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Tonette Ingram YOS would not be able to run without our dedicated staff whose aspirations are to help our youth succeed. We want to highlight YOS Director of Juvenile Justice, Tonette Ingram, who has gone above and beyond during the last year. She supervises both our in-facility and communitybased juvenile justice services across Illinois. As a Director, Tonette helps drive the development and advancement of YOS’ juvenile justice vision, strategy, and programming, both within and outside of the agency. The organization and her staff recognize the impact she makes on the youth and everyone she works with daily.

“Shout-out to Tonette Ingram for always being available, listening, and supporting us. Many may not realize how many hats you wear or all you do for your teams behind the scenes. You are appreciated!”

“She has gone above and beyond and exemplified YOS’s mission by leading YOS’s new social justice committee.

She has also been a strong advocate for the youth at IDJJ during a difficult time with COVID-19, when many youth have been under stress and at heightened risk of getting sick. She has advocated for the safety of both youth and staff during this time.”

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT:

Char

Our staff member, Carly Gelb, now the program manager at our Austin office, has been working with her client, Char, for more than two years now. Originally as a high school student, he lacked motivation and was referred to YOS for his depressive symptoms.

During the past few years, Carly has worked with Char to improve his schoolwork and mental health. He joined and became the leader of YOS’s LGBTQ+ Group, sharing his experiences with other group members to foster strength and hope. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding and dying his hair new colors as a form of self-expression. His success is accredited to his active participation in YOS’s art therapy group, individual counseling sessions, and the relationships he has formed.

Char is open about his struggles, willing to learn coping skills and take suggestions in his treatment. A success

by YOS standards, Char arrives on time to therapy, has met many of his treatment plan goals, and is a joy for staff to interact with during sessions. He just finished his first year at university and has hopes to one day become an educator, utilizing the skills he has learned from YOS.