Youth Programs

Advocates for Leadership and Success (ALAS) Youth Employment Program

Through the ALAS youth employment program, we have engaged nearly 80 Black and Latino youth ages 16-24 with professional development, educational and psychoeducational training, and paid internships in numerous settings. Through the ALAS program, we are motivating youth to pursue their goals through job coaching and training. The ALAS program simultaneously motivates these youth, as well as gives them meaningful experience, but also has provided more than 8,616 hours of work throughout community businesses, agencies, and organizations.

Building Leaders and Scholars Together (BLAST) After-School and Out-of-School Program

The BLAST afterschool program serves nearly 50 youth every day at the LOS location, but also serves nearly 100 additional youth at Hurley and Peck Elementary Schools, providing tutoring and additional activities such as a book club and sports.

"Kicking the Streets" Soccer Program

This program at LOS works in the community to engage at-risk youth in soccer lessons and competition, aimed at keeping youth off the streets and engaged in healthy behavior.

Pequeños Empresarios Financial Literacy Project

LOS’s AmeriCorps VISTA also has offered more than 400 hours of service providing financial literacy training to youth and teens, typically working with 10-15 youth every week. Our VISTA is also organizing a summer financial literacy camp that will help youth create their own small businesses, and then present their achievements at the University of Illinois- Chicago.