Big brothers big sisters of metropolitan chicago proposes to implement the youth mentoring program

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention awarded a $500,000 Project Grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago under the Congressionally Recommended Awards program (CFDA 16.753). The funding supports the expansion of the organization's Youth Mentoring Program, which aims to provide positive youth development programming and long-term one-on-one mentoring services to 300 at-risk youth and families in the West and Far South Sides of Chicago, and West Suburban Cook County. Key activities include increasing access to community resources, delivering family engagement services, and growing the organization's local footprint and community partnerships. The grant program runs from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025 and aims to improve social connections, social-emotional learning, healthy behaviors, and educational success among the served youth.

The purpose is to expand youth mentoring efforts in the west and far south sides of chicago, and west suburban cook county.project activities include providing positive youth development programming to address community risk factors experienced by 300 youth and families, increasing access to community resources and support through family engagement and long-term one-to-one mentoring services for youth. Big brothers big sisters of metropolitan chicago also seeks to grow and sustain its local footprint through its west side chicago outreach center, employ local staff, and expand its local community partnership network. The agency expects to build positive youth outcomes through the grant program in several outcome areas including social connections and belonging; social emotional learning; healthy behaviors and choices (avoidance of risk-taking behaviors including violence and gun violence); and educational success.