TEAM: An Inspiration To The Community
Escrito por Daniella Di Prizio | 12 julio 2010
Erie Neighborhood House is well known in the community for the broad range of programs they offer to youth and parents. One such program is Erie’s Youth Options Unlimited (YOU) program, which inspires and challenges over 270 youth annually, ages 12-18, to prepare for their future, become active in their communities and to grow academically and personally. YOU’s Tutoring to Educate for Aims and Motivation (TEAM) program in partnership with The Northern Trust Company has been empowering youth since 1984 by pairing students from 7th grade to high school with Chicago professionals serving as volunteer mentors. TEAM continues to grow steadily and this school year 120 mentors were matched with 120 youth.
TEAM focuses on academics, promoting education and personal advancement, including preparation for college and beyond, while serving as positive role models in weekly one on one sessions. In addition, mentors are able to offer other support by providing leadership opportunities, computer access and technology know-how, college scholarships/workshops, job shadowing and alumni networking. Each year TEAM takes students to the National Association of College Admission Counseling’s college fair at Navy Pier. Students are able to discuss their college plans with school representatives and partake in workshops on the admission process and financial aid opportunities. For extra support and guidance, Erie’s youth department social worker also provides crisis intervention and manages students from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology serving their one year placements. The positive relationships built between TEAM mentors, Erie supporting staff, students and family all contribute greatly to the immense success that is the TEAM program. Since 1998, TEAM students have demonstrated a 100% high school graduation rate and a 98% college placement rate. Additionally, college-bound TEAM students receive financial support through the TEAM Scholarship Fund, which has awarded more than $500,000 to TEAM graduates since its inception. TEAM youth are also becoming strong leaders in their communities, by participating in fundraising campaigns, taking part in the 2010 Census and volunteering for various causes.
TEAM celebrated the graduation of the class of 2010 on Wednesday, June 16th. The banquet was a heartfelt celebration of all the hard work and great accomplishments of the students and their mentors made throughout their four to six years as TEAM members. Parents and families were invited to partake in the event and even shared their feelings of gratitude and pride for their children’s accomplishments in an emotional and moving video put together by YOU staff member Riza Falk and Cynthia Cruz. Students and mentors also shared their appreciation for all TEAM has helped them accomplish. Graduating Seniors also shared their plans for college starting in the Fall.
For more information or to become a TEAM mentor, apply on our website and be sure to visit YOU.
The 2010 Graduation Banquet video can be viewed in three segments on the YOU Youtube Channel.
