Narrative Change
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Girls and Young Women of Color in Chicago: A Rise in Disconnection for Black Women
At Thrive Chicago we are working to advance racial equity for youth of color in Chicago. As we do this work, we also consider the intersection of gender and race. In doing so, we believe it is important to draw attention to recent trends reflecting the experiences of...
The Age 19 Gap Series: Introduction
Turning 18 is a major milestone. You are on the precipice of a great transition - graduating from high school and embracing your future. For some, this means college or travel or getting a job. It is a first taste of independence...
Mentorship can help steer teens away from violence, toward positive alternatives
My name is Denisse Gracia, and I am a member of Thrive Chicago’s Youth Advisory Board and recently finished my freshman year at National-Louis University. My role on the Board is to support youth with resources regarding mental health, opportunities, and to guide them into finding mentors who will guide them in the long-run.
Data Corner: Diverse attributes of Opportunity Youth underscore that connection to school and work is a continuum
Understanding the nuances and differences among OY themselves, and between OY and their more connected peers, provides Thrive’s Opportunity Youth Action Team with insights to refine our community-based strategies.
The lived experiences of Male Educators of Color
“If we don’t get the issue fixed now, it could lead to a generation of students who won’t have the same academic success that students in my classroom and other classrooms are getting,” said Devin Evans, Butler College Prep 12th grade teacher and leader of the Black Male Educators Alliance of Illinois.
ABC 7 features Shifting Chicago Narratives student video showcase
For the Curie High School Robotics Club, a video storytelling project became something much more than an opportunity to document their robots in competition with other schools. “Being able to tell my story and my friends’ story and the story of robotics,” says...
Meeting former President Obama provides Intro to Urban Education students the thrill of a lifetime
From the moment President Obama walked in, the excitement was palpable as the students posed for pictures with the former Commander-in-Chief.
Who are Opportunity Youth? The answer is more complicated than you may think
Through the years, Thrive’s Data and Learning Team has examined increasingly refined data from the U.S. Census and other sources to understand better the unique needs of Opportunity Youth. With this has come the understanding that Opportunity Youth are a highly diverse group, whether looking through the lens of education, employment, geography, or race.
Two years in, the challenges of the pandemic have reshaped my outlook on life
My name is Aliyah Clark, and I am a recent high school graduate and a publisher/author from the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago. I serve as the secretary of Thrive Chicago’s Youth Advisory Board, which consists of nine young adults representing South and West Side...