Beginning in June, Institute of Cultural Affairs-USA implemented a very intensive facilitative training and job experience program for 107 community youth, ages 14-24 years. The youth participants were recruited by ICA-USA and established specific income criteria in line with the Chicago Summer Youth Employment Guidelines, receiving additional oversight from Central State Services and the Department of Support and Family Services. Click here for a short video that features the students and the program.
The Summer Teen Facilitators Pilot Program was a ground breaking experience in many ways. One way in particular was the level of diversity of the program. There were 15 different origins represented and 8 different languages spoken by our youth participants.
The overall goal of the program was to empower the young leaders of tomorrow to have a voice in society today. Each day our youth on a national scale are confronted with issues such as teen violence, teen pregnancy, child abuse, date rape, the drop out rate, etc. and it seems that no one is asking them their thoughts of how to curb these issues.
ICA-USA is historically known as a social change organization that promotes positive change in communities, organizations and individual lives by helping people visualize, plan, and implement consensus-based strategies aimed at reaching goals they envision for themselves. ICA's plan is to continue the focus on one of our most important constituencies, the young leaders of tomorrow. With the support of other state and federal government, local businesses and community organizations, foundations and other funding institutions, together we can empower our youth to be 'A Force for Positive Social Change' The teen website, www.ica-usateens.org, features youth photos and features program highlights.
