Success Stories

My time at YOS has been truly transformative. When I first arrived, I was carrying the heavy burden of my past, struggling with self-harm, substance abuse, and overwhelming anxiety. The scars on my arms were a constant reminder of the pain I carried within. But now, I stand here, free from those struggles, a testament […]

At first glance, Alicia seems like any other teenager. She loves painting her nails, spending time with friends, and dreams of becoming a nurse. But her bright smile and big personality mask a powerful story of survival, strength, and transformation. Alicia experienced her first panic attack at just eight years old. By 17, she was

When Christopher S. entered the child welfare system, he had already faced more adversity than most people experience in a lifetime. After losing his father and being separated from his mother due to incarceration, Chris moved through several placements—first an adoptive family, then to a relative’s home, and finally a group home. His journey eventually

Before his involvement with YOS, Levi struggled with making constructive life choices. He had left school, was not listening to his mother, and got involved in drug dealing. This path led to his arrest and time in a juvenile detention center. At YOS, Levi found the support and motivation he needed to change his trajectory.

At 14, Jamal faced challenges with behavior, often finding himself in conflicts and altercations at school. His difficulties in managing his emotions and actions, particularly in relation to problem sexual behavior (PSB) incidents, were escalating. Recognizing the need for intervention, Jamal was directed to the YOS MST-PSB counseling services. Over an eight-month period, Jamal, alongside

Joseph, a former child welfare DCFS client, transitioned to our DHS homeless youth program after emancipation. His counselor, Mario, was concerned about Joseph’s readiness to live independently due to his struggles with depression and alcoholism. Understanding the risks of incarceration or homelessness, we decided to keep Joseph in the YOS programming and the Transitional Living

Life could have very easily turned out quite different for Carlos. At 12, Carlos faced a pivotal moment when his father passed away, leading to declining grades and a loss of interest in life. His school suggested he engage with YOS, but initially, Carlos was reluctant. This changed when he met Xavier, his mentor, who

In discussing the challenges of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods, Christi, YOS Program Manager of Prevention Services, pointed out the scarcity of resources and support for local youth, saying, “There are not as many resources and not too many people that will come in and work with the youth in the area.” Christi has seen the significant