Starfish Learning Center
Starfish Learning Center provides a safe, nurturing environment where at-risk children and teens learn, are encouraged and have fun. Starfish is dedicated to countering gang influence on community youth by offering healthy, alternative youth activities that blend education, recreation and moral guidance. Starfish educates, empowers and mentors students through homework assistance, computers, recreational opportunities, moral studies, art, weekend activities, special outings and more.
Program Spotlight
The Young Men’s Educational Network (YMEN) is a dynamic youth leadership organization established in 1996 to address the academic and social needs that cripple the futures of many young men who grow up in the North Lawndale community on Chicago’s West Side. YMEN offers advanced academic classes, entrepreneurial training, career planning, mentoring, tutoring, and a wide variety of community service opportunities as it seeks to fulfill its mission: “to prepare young men in North Lawndale for leadership by helping them grow in their faith and character, develop a love of learning, and use their gifts to serve the broader community.” For the past 14 years, YMEN has provided effective alternatives to academic apathy and gang membership and is recognized as a grass-roots community organization that is producing indigenous leadership in the next generation of African-American young men.
Website: www.ymenchicago.com
28% (641,975) of Illinois’ K-12 children are responsible for taking care of themselves after school.