EMPOWERING YOUTH, INSPIRING FUTURES

A Century of Impact

As we stand on the threshold of a momentous milestone, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude to announce that Youth Guidance is celebrating 100 years. This incredible journey from our modest beginnings to becoming a national force for positive change has been shaped by the unwavering commitment of our community, partners, and, most importantly, the countless lives we have touched.
Michelle Adler-Morrison
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Click here for more

We're Celebrating 100 Years of Guiding Kids to Brighter Futures

Scroll to see what a Century of Impact looks like

1924

Founded in 1924 as the Church Mission of Help, Youth Guidance is originally formed in response to an unmet need during that time to assist unwed mothers facing tremendous stigma and in need of shelter, clothing, medical care, financial help, legal assistance, and education and vocational opportunities.

1964

The Church of Mission Help merges with an agency serving boys in family court (juvenile detention) and becomes Youth Guidance.

1969

The agency forms a partnership with Chicago Public Schools.

1974

Youth Guidance affirms its belief that it must meet youth where they are and moves all services inside of the Chicago Public Schools.

1986

Project Prepare launches to help Youth Guidance high school students focus on employability and career exploration.

1988

Youth Guidance launches Project STRIVE (S trategies t o R ejuvenate I nterest and V alue in E ducation), a partnership with area public schools and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The program works to integrate support systems within schools in order to help youth in care transition into adulthood and lead productive lives.

1996

Youth Guidance launches Community and After School (CAP) programs as part of the Full-Service School Initiative. The Community School approach program redefines school as a home base for robust extended learning experiences - in and out of school time - for students, families and community members. Youth Guidance currently serves as lead nonprofit partner to 23 Community Schools serving nearly 4,000 elementary and high school youth in under-resourced Chicago communities.

1990

Youth Guidance partners with Dr. James P. Comer to implement in its programming a whole school approach to advancing educational equity. The Comer School Development Program, takes a uniquely supportive view of education with a focus on developing the whole child. This holistic strategy links children’s academic growth with their emotional wellness and social & moral development in a collaborative school culture of learning.

1993

Youth Guidance hosts its first Annual Parent Leadership Conference to support parents and families by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to strengthen relationships with their children and to support their efforts in school.

2001

Becoming a Man (BAM) is developed by Youth Guidance counselor Anthony Ramierz Di Vittorio in response to the high need for mentoring among young men from underserved communities

2009

BAM undergoes a rigorous University of Chicago Randomized Control Trial (RCT) evaluation confirming significant program efficacy and raising the profile of BAM nationally, inspiring significant philanthropic investment.

2011

The Working on Womanhood (WOW) Program is born, building on Youth Guidance’s longstanding practice of group counseling girls.

2014

Inspired by his experience in a BAM circle, President Obama launches the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative.

2016

In Chicago, the Becoming A Man program partners with Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Mayor's Mentoring Initiative, which aims to connect young men with counseling and mentoring services to help them stay in school, build healthy relationships, and stay out of the juvenile justice system. Funding is provided by the Mayor’s office, along with philanthropic support from the corporate community, allowing BAM to eventually grow its footprint in Chicago from serving 2,500 to 7,500 young men all across the city.

2017

WOW undergoes RCT, finding statistically significant reductions in PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms in WOW participants at a time when the teen mental health crisis has come into national focus .

2017

Youth Guidance expands BAM programming beyond Chicago to Boston, Massachusetts evolving into a national organization.

2019

Youth Guidance Expands BAM to Los Angeles. and also partners with the Mental Health Foundation to license the program in London bringing Youth Guidance programming overseas for the first time to youth in the United Kingdom.

2020

Youth Guidance Expands BAM and WOW programming to Kansas City, Missouri launching both programs simultaneously for the first time in a major city outside of Chicago.

2020

Youth Guidance partners with JPMorgan Chase to execute The Fellowship Initiative, which provides intensive academic support and leadership development for young men of color.

2021

Youth Guidance Boston launches its WOW program following in the footsteps of the Chicago & Kansas City models.

2021

Youth Guidance launches the Community Connections program in Chicago during the pandemic to address the various challenges faced by families, including grief, loss, economic hardships, isolate and mental health concerns.

2021

Similar to Kansas City, Youth Guidance Dallas is formed and launches both BAM & WOW together in schools in Texas.

2021

Youth Guidance expands a first of its kind, collaboration of BAM and JPMorgan Chase’s The Fellowship Initiative (BAM-FI) to Washington, DC.

2022

Youth Guidance launches the @Work Program to provide more career preparation for youth in Chicago, Washington, DC and Boston.

2023

Youth Guidance starts up The Evolve Program in Illinois schools to train and coach existing school staff to facilitate healing-centered Circles rooted in the most effective components of BAM and WOW .

2023

The King County, Washington licensing of the BAM program re-launches as Youth Guidance Greater Seattle.

2023

The agency brings BAM programming to Pennsylvania launching Youth Guidance Greater Pittsburgh and we cannot wait to see what's next in 2024!

CENTURY OF IMPACT STORY BANK

Celebrating Youth Guidance Through 100 Years of Stories

Youth Guidance’s centennial anniversary is our collective time to honor the stories of our alumni who have grown through our programming, staff alumni who have made tremendous contributions over the decades, current students whose voices amplify the need of this generation, and current staff who are making incredible impact every day on behalf of our youth. We are compiling the stories that amplify Youth Guidance’s mission, vision and core values.

Our Youth Guidance 100th Anniversary Mural

When people drive past the mural, our hope is that viewers are reminded of the hope for Chicago’s youth and that the mural images evoke and conjure a vision that the youth in our city are the future for Chicago. Our youth are filled with so much potential. With the support of a caring adult in their life, our youth will achieve their potential and can look forward to a brighter future.

Dex Burner | Former STRIVE Student

As a teenager, Dex began his journey with Youth Guidance as a STRIVE student at South Shore High School. During his time at South Shore, Dex found a guiding light in his Youth Guidance Counselor, Rebecca. Recognizing Dex's unique potential, Rebecca noticed his casual interests in cultural geography, international affairs, and his love of watching the BBC World News. She encouraged him to pursue his passions in more meaningful ways.

Michael Harris | Youth Guidance Board Member

Michael's first BAM circle was a powerful experience. “The impact was real,” Michael said. “I witnessed a BAM counselor defuse a potentially violent conflict between two boys, bringing home the reality of the work that our counselors do on a daily basis to change outcomes.”

Rickey Williams | BAM Regional Manager

Rickey Williams celebrates an incredible nine years with Youth Guidance, where he has worn many hats within the organization. Currently serving as a regional manager, Rickey’s journey began as a counselor, progressed to supervisor, and then to a curriculum specialist. Throughout his career, Rickey has been dedicated to guiding BAM (Becoming A Man) students towards brighter futures.

Jim Zeckhauser | Senior Career and Staffing Specialist

Zeck's dedication knows no bounds when it comes to preparing and guiding youth. His unwavering commitment to service remains as seamless today as it was when he first joined Youth Guidance.

Mark Gerstein | Youth Guidance Board Member

Looking to the future, Mark emphasizes the importance of adapting to societal changes, particularly in preparing youth for the evolving workforce landscape. His vision for Youth Guidance includes growth in the trade workforce arena to address the challenges posed by advancing technology, ensuring the organization's continued relevance and impact in the communities it serves.

Dekevious Wilson | BAM Regional Manager

What inspires DK the most about his work at Youth Guidance is his passion for supporting the success and social emotional well-being of young black and brown men. By embracing honesty and authenticity within himself, DK fosters genuine connections with his students and counselors, guiding them toward their own paths to success.

Della Ezell | Sr. Parent & Family Engagement Manager

Meet Della Ezell, our esteemed Senior Manager for Parent Engagement. She has been an invaluable part of the Youth Guidance family for an impressive 37 years.

Shouna Oliver | Program Manager

We are so grateful for Shouna’s contributions here at Youth Guidance, and we can’t wait to see how she continues to grow and lead our students to success in Washington DC.

Alfredo Rosado | BAM Alumni

Despite coming from a supportive family background, Alfredo acknowledges the unique emotional support and guidance he received from BAM. The support he received from BAM proved to be invaluable during this challenging time and beyond.

Doretha Brown | WOW Counselor

With an impressive 19 years dedicated to Youth Guidance, Doretha has become a cornerstone at Bowen High School, witnessing the ebb and flow of principals and teachers.

Theonita Wright | Sr. Coordinator Alumni Engagement

For Theonita, Youth Guidance became the beacon of guidance and belonging she needed during confusing and challenging times.

Claire Sindail | Youth Guidance WOW Alum

Claire's story is a testament to the transformative power of education and WOW mentorship.

Marshala Terry Johnson | Youth Guidance WOW Alum

Marshala's inspiring story was celebrated at the Youth Guidance’s Gala in 2019, a moment that not only acknowledged her personal triumphs but also highlighted the profound impact of programs like WOW in steering individuals towards brighter futures.

Haidi Ndiaye | Youth Guidance WOW Alum

The narrative of Haidi's resilience and the support she received from WOW exemplify the organization's commitment to nurturing not only academic success but also a strong sense of community and familial bonds.

SHARE YOUR STORY

OUR PROGRAMS

Guiding Kids to Bright Futures

Youth Guidance’s Becoming A Man® program (BAM®) is a school-based group counseling program that guides young men in 6th to 12th grades to learn, internalize and practice social cognitive skills, make responsible decisions for their future and become positive members of their school and community.

LEARN MORE

The Working on Womanhood (WOW) program is a school-based, trauma-informed group counseling program that improves the social-emotional competencies for girls in 6th to 12th grades who are exposed to traumatic stressors in under-resourced communities.

LEARN MORE

Community & After School Programs (CAP) at Youth Guidance is a transformative initiative that revolves around neighborhood public schools, inviting youth, families, and communities into a culture of learning.

LEARN MORE

Tell Us Your Story

Are you a Youth Guidance alum or former staffer? Do you have story to tell? We may choose your story and add it to our Century of Impact Story Bank.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Youth Guidance’s Career Readiness & Success (CRS) programs play a pivotal role in bridging the opportunity gap for youth from under-resourced communities.

LEARN MORE

Community Connections is a program that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic to address the various challenges faced by families, including grief, loss, economic hardships, isolation, and mental health concerns.

Youth Guidance’s Evolve initiative is a Tier 2 educator led social-emotional learning (SEL) program designed to provide training and implementation resources to 2-3 school-based staff per school to implement the most effective components of the organization’s evidence-based SEL programs — Becoming a Man (BAM) & Working on Womanhood (WOW).

LEARN MORE

Tell Us Your Story

Are you a Youth Guidance alum or former staffer? Do you have story to tell? We may choose your story and add it to our Century of Impact Story Bank.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Youth Guidance’s STRIVE Program (Strategies to Rejuvenate Interest and Value in Education) is a valuable partnership with local public schools and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). This program is dedicated to supporting youth in care during their transition into adulthood and empowering them to lead productive lives.

LEARN MORE

Helping our parents to better serve their youth at home, Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) continues to increase resources and support we provide to families. The difficulty of the last two years on families shifted our perspective on what they truly needed to help youth live fulfilling lives.

With the generosity of our grant partners, the PFE team provides ongoing support to families through needs such as food, clothing, school supplies, hygiene kits, and social-emotional learning kits. We have also recruited more Parent Mentors to support parents and families, and continue to conduct needs assessments and provide on-going grade level parent supports circles monthly to help parents cope with stress.

Youth Guidance: A Century of Impact

EMPOWERING YOUTH, INSPIRING FUTURES

Michelle Adler-Morrison

Click here for more

Tell Us Your Story

CENTURY OF IMPACT STORY BANK

OUR PROGRAMS

The Working on Womanhood (WOW) program is a school-based, trauma-informed group counseling program that improves the social-emotional competencies for girls in 6th to 12th grades who are exposed to traumatic stressors in under-resourced communities.

Community & After School Programs (CAP) at Youth Guidance is a transformative initiative that revolves around neighborhood public schools, inviting youth, families, and communities into a culture of learning.

Tell Us Your Story

Youth Guidance’s Career Readiness & Success (CRS) programs play a pivotal role in bridging the opportunity gap for youth from under-resourced communities.

Community Connections is a program that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic to address the various challenges faced by families, including grief, loss, economic hardships, isolation, and mental health concerns.

Tell Us Your Story

Helping our parents to better serve their youth at home, Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) continues to increase resources and support we provide to families. The difficulty of the last two years on families shifted our perspective on what they truly needed to help youth live fulfilling lives.

Letter from the CEO

DC Program Prepares Young Men of Color for Opportunities

The Youth Guidance Voice [July 2021]

Youth Guidance: A Century of Impact

EMPOWERING YOUTH, INSPIRING FUTURES

Michelle Adler-Morrison

Click here for more

Tell Us Your Story

CENTURY OF IMPACT STORY BANK

OUR PROGRAMS

The Working on Womanhood (WOW) program is a school-based, trauma-informed group counseling program that improves the social-emotional competencies for girls in 6th to 12th grades who are exposed to traumatic stressors in under-resourced communities.

Community & After School Programs (CAP) at Youth Guidance is a transformative initiative that revolves around neighborhood public schools, inviting youth, families, and communities into a culture of learning.

Tell Us Your Story

Youth Guidance’s Career Readiness & Success (CRS) programs play a pivotal role in bridging the opportunity gap for youth from under-resourced communities.

Community Connections is a program that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic to address the various challenges faced by families, including grief, loss, economic hardships, isolation, and mental health concerns.

Tell Us Your Story

Helping our parents to better serve their youth at home, Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) continues to increase resources and support we provide to families. The difficulty of the last two years on families shifted our perspective on what they truly needed to help youth live fulfilling lives.

Newsletter Subscribe