CYC Program Application

Citywide Youth Councils
Welcome to our Citywide Youth Council (CYC) application! CYCs serve as a mechanism for current 9th -11th graders to have input on city policy. Each CYC consists of 25-30 young people from across the city who meet to participate in team building, leadership development, research, and the creation of policy proposals to key decision makers in city government. Citywide Youth Councils allow youth to have a voice in the formation, implementation, and evaluation of public policy; councils we are recruiting for now include the Safety and Justice Council (SJC) and the Student Advisory Council (SAC).
Section 1: Basic information
Name*
First Last
Home/Current Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Do you live in Cook County?*
- Yes
- No
Is your birthdate between July 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008?*
- Yes
- No
When is your birthday?
Month*
Day*
Please enter a number from 1 to 31.
The day of the month (ie: 15th)
Year*
Because you live outside of Chicago...*
....but still within Cook County, the only program you may be eligible for is the Safety and Justice Council (SJC).

SJC explores issues related to juvenile justice, community safety and policing, and partners with Cook County’s Justice Advisory Council, CPD Independent Monitor Maggie Hickey, community safety groups such as CPD Office of Community Policing and coalitions behind the Civilian Police Accountability Council and Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability.

Are you interested in participating in SJC?
- Yes
- No
We're sorry...
...but you must be between the ages of 16 and 19 as of December 31, 2024 to qualify for the Citywide Youth Councils.

If you were born after December 31, 2008 and live in the Chicago neighborhood of Gage Park, New City/Back of the Yards, or North Lawndale, you may qualify for our Neighborhood Leadership Council program. Click here to fill out their application.

If you were born before July 1, 2005, you may qualify for our Mikva Summer Fellows program. Please click here to apply.
We're sorry...
....but these Mikva programming opportunities are only for young people living in Cook County. If you do indeed live in Cook County, please click the "yes" button above to correct your application.
We're sorry....
....but because you live outside of Chicago and are not interested in participating in the Safety and Justice Council, we do not have any programs you are eligible for. We wish you all the best going forward. You may close this browser window.

Section 2: Emergency Contact Information
Parent / Guardian Name*
First Last
Relationship to you*
- Parent
- Grandparent
- Sibling
- Aunt / Uncle
Parent/Guardian preferred language if not English
Parent / Guardian's phone number*
Parent / Guardian email address

If your contact does not have an email address, please leave this blank

Section 4: School Information
What grade are you CURRENTLY in?*
- 9th
- 10th
- 11th
- 12th
- Currently pursuing a GED
- Currently in college
- Not currently enrolled in school
Current High School*
If your school was not listed above, please list here:*
High School Graduation Year*
If you go to a Chicago Public School, what is your CPS ID number?

Please note that all Charter Schools in Chicago are CPS schools. Please enter your School ID# in this field.
We need a little more information...
To determine your eligibility for the program, please continue filling out the application. A Mikva staff member will reach out to you for additional information within 3 business days.
We're sorry...
Unfortunately, you cannot apply for a Chicago Youth Council position if you are a current college student.

Please complete the Mikva Summer Fellows application for possible summer opportunities.

Citywide Youth Council
Congrats! You are eligible to apply for our Citywide Youth Councils.

Each council is a group of about 30 young people from across the city who will meet bi-weekly during the school year and work to build a team, conduct action research and take action on policy recommendations that were presented to city leaders about how to address top issues facing Chicago youth. All council work is expected to take place in person in the Mikva Challenge office at 200 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604.

Please read the brief description of each council below and use the drop down menus to tell us how interested you are in each one. (i.e. not at all, a little, some or a lot)
Safety and Justice Council (SJC)*
The Safety and Justice Council (SJC) explores issues related to juvenile justice, community safety and policing, and partners with Cook County’s Justice Advisory Council, CPD Independent Monitor Maggie Hickey, community safety groups such as CPD Office of Community Policing and coalitions behind the Civilian Police Accountability Council and Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability.
Student Advisory Council (SAC)*
The CPS Student Advisory Council (SAC) is composed of Chicago Public School students representing different schools from across the city, 16-18 years old, who are passionate about education and are committed to improving CPS schools. Students focus on district policy and initiatives selected in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CPS and other district leadership, meeting regularly to inform and develop solutions and policy recommendations. Students work in committees to gather data and research, analyze student feedback from their peers, share their findings, and advocate for policy solutions that will equitably impact students district-wide and further create a transparent CPS through inclusive partnerships.
Confirm your interest*
It appears as though you have marked "not at all interested" for all of our councils. If that is the case, our program may not be a good fit for you.

If you are indeed interested in participating with Mikva Challenge, please review the Council choices above and change your level of interest in each of the councils.

To confirm, are you interested in serving on one or both of Mikva's Citywide Youth Councils?
- No, I am not interested in serving on either of the councils
- Yes, I am interested in serving on one or both councils
Safety and Justice Council
Congrats! You are eligible to apply for our Safety and Justice Council.

This council is a group of about 30 young people from across the city who explore issues related to juvenile justice, community safety and policing, and partners with Cook County’s Justice Advisory Council, CPD Independent Monitor Maggie Hickey, community safety groups such as CPD Office of Community Policing and coalitions behind the Civilian Police Accountability Council and Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability.

Please continue filling out the application to provide us with additional details.
Student Advisory Council
You marked you had some or a lot of interest in our Student Advisory Council - that's great! Please continue filling out the application to provide us with additional details.

If you ALSO marked you are interested in the other council, please continue this application by clicking "next" below.

Are you bilingual?
- Yes
- No
You indicated you are bilingual. What language(s) do you speak?

Section 5: Commitment
This program is a year-round commitment. It is very important that you are able to participate fully in programming both during the school year and over the summer. Please read the statements below carefully and provide an honest answer.
School Year Commitment to the Citywide Youth Council*
During the school year, councils typically meet every other week for 2-3 hours - either after school or on a Saturday.

Do you have any other commitments that may conflict with this schedule (ie extracurricular activities, clubs, other job, sports, etc)?
- Yes
- No
- Not sure
If you have a conflict, or are not sure if you do, please describe it here:*

Section 6: Short Responses
Please be as detailed as possible. Each response should be between 2 and 4 sentences long.
What is one issue in your school or community that you care about? What do you think should be done to address it?*
Be sure your response is between 2 and 4 sentences long.
What is one strength (a skill, interest, or talent - something you're good at) that you would bring to your council if selected?*
Be sure your answer is 2 to 4 sentences long.

Submit your application (CYC)
Please click the submit button below. You will receive an email confirmation once you submit.

NEXT STEPS: If you are selected for an interview, you will hear from a Mikva staff member shortly. If you have any questions, please send an email to youth@mikvachallenge.org.
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Citywide Youth Council Application

Step 1 of 10

Citywide Youth Councils

Section 1: Basic information

When is your birthday?

We're sorry...

We're sorry...

We're sorry....

Section 2: Emergency Contact Information

Section 3: Getting to know more about you

Section 4: School Information

We need a little more information...

We're sorry...

Citywide Youth Council

Safety and Justice Council

Student Advisory Council

Section 5: Commitment

Section 6: Short Responses

Submit your application (CYC)