Confirming the transformational value of mentoring young African American men and engaging them in their family and community, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago showcased the programs and the young men who are taking part in the United Way African American Initiative on October 9 at the DuSable Museum of African American History.

The reception featured the collaborative efforts of all those involved in giving these youth the tools for success. Particularly honored was Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, the event and the 2007 Initiative sponsor. The lead initiative agencies also provided an update on the impact their programs are having on the communities they serve: Englewood, Bronzeville/Grand Boulevard, Greater Roseland, Rogers Park and Lawndale.

Emceed by Leah Hope, reporter at ABC 7, the program featured Tim King, president and CEO, Urban Prep Academies; Israel Idonije, defensive tackle, Chicago Bears and new member of the United Way African American Senior Advisory Committee; Thelma Boykin, senior supervisor, Client Service Unit, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois; Charles Taylor, III, analyst at KPMG and African American Outreach Committee chair; and representatives from the five lead agencies in the African American Initiative. These agencies are Teamwork Englewood in Englewood, Centers for New Horizons in Grand Boulevard, Metropolitan Family Services in Greater Roseland, YMEN & Lawndale Christian Health Center in Lawndale and Organization of the North East (ONE) in Rogers Park.

“With collective work and responsibility, we can help young, African American men realize their potential,” said Charles Taylor, III, analyst at KPMG and African American Outreach Committee chair. “As these young men thrive and grow into strong adults, we see a great example of what it means to LIVE UNITED. Together, our whole community is making a difference.”

The African-American Initiative is an innovative United Way program that reaches out to at-risk African American males, ages 10 to 16, so they can make a healthy and successful transition from childhood to adulthood. For three years, this initiative has been helping young men understand the value of staying in school so they can remain on track to graduation; develop a positive understanding of employment expectations, opportunities and possibilities; and understand and assume healthy family and social roles that will help them improve the quality of their lives.

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago improves lives by mobilizing caring people to invest in the community where it’s needed most. People engage with United Way to give, advocate and volunteer in their community to advance the common good. Spanning 238 communities across six counties, United Way is the largest non-governmental funder of health and human service programs in the region. By promoting education, income and health, United Way creates opportunities for people to live a stable, healthy and independent life.

The United Way African-American Initiative

Across Chicagoland, the United Way African American Initiative is mobilizing entire communities to work together to help young men succeed. Now beginning its fourth year, this unique initiative is turning neighborhoods into forces for positive change, helping young African American men overcome barriers to success.

United Way is working with five Chicago communities to create opportunities for at-risk males, ages 10 to 16, through programs that focus on finding solutions to issues the young men identify themselves as their biggest obstacles. The African American Initiative is successfully negotiating to get youth out of gangs; working with the Chicago Police Department to battle negative perceptions between police officers and youth; creating safe places for youth to go after school; and developing programs to teach mentoring skills to the fathers of youth in the program.