A City in Crisis, CPS Students Hold Congress to Take Action into their Own Hands
500 teens from 70 high schools to participate in the Chicago Youth Voice Congress
CHICAGO, IL, Feb 4, 2016 –With January being the deadliest month for Chicago in 16 years, police-youth relations at an all-time low, no state budget and CPS In financial crisis, there’s never been a better time to pay attention to youth-generated solutions to issues facing Chicago teens and neighborhoods. In one of the largest gatherings of Chicago students, outside of official school functions, over 500 young people representing almost half of Chicago’s public high schools will discuss and design solutions to issues they can bring back to their schools and communities. The youth-led workshops will focus on creating solutions addressing the areas of employment, safety, school culture and climate and health.
“We know the things that each other deals with. We can empathize with one another since we have some of the same experiences,” notes Robert Halloway, 18 from South Shore. ”I want to make change, make things better for youth coming up, especially with the Juvenile Justice system. I want to see more equality in the system.”
The afternoon portion of the Congress will feature 40 elected officials and civic leaders meeting with small groups of students to discuss how they can improve their schools and communities.
WHEN: Saturday Feb 6, 2016 from 8:00 am to 2:00pm (Public officials will be there from 1-2pm)
WHERE: Jones College Prep, 700 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605
TIMES: Student Led Solution Workshops – 10:15am to 12:20pm
Youth and Civic Leader Dialogues – 1:00pm to 1:40pm
Youth leaders are available for interview and studio appearance upon request.
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Named after Abner and Zoe Mikva, Mikva Challenge is a non-partisan, nonprofit that develops youth to be informed, empowered, and active citizens and community leaders.