Programs for Youth
Western Avenue’s Youth Programs work to empower individuals. We want to give children opportunities to explore their community and create trusting and supportive relationships with our staff and peers. We offer a safe space for our community’s children to learn and have fun.
Western Avenue Wolves Basketball League for grades 2-8 will begin late fall 2023. Stay tuned here and on Facebook for registration information
View ProfileWestern Avenue has a Summer Leadership Program for Middle Schoolers. Participants learn life and leadership skills while exploring their local community.
This program provides 5th-8th grade children with recreational, leadership, community engagement, art, and science activities. We partnered with Illinois Wesleyan and Illinois State Universities to provide tutoring/homework help for the students.
Sisters By Chance/Early Redbirds was in collaboration with the College of Applied Science and Technology, Center for Math, Science, and Technology, and the School of Information Technology. Statistics show that women of color are disproportionately represented in low wage jobs. To combat this issue, our program’s goal is to encourage young women of color to pursue an education in areas with the potential of higher wages. Participants attended technology workshops in which they created digital picture frames, met near-peer mentors, and participated in a showcase with family and friends. In addition This program allowed each participant to experience college life by attending campus tours, presentations, and lunches in Watterson. While the goal of this program is apparent, the outcomes warranted each participant a sense of pride in self, appreciation for the exposure to ISU campus, and the experience to expand their career and education pursuits within the field of IT. Our future goals are to expand this program to 25 students, include young boys of color, make a summer camp, and include workshops for all of STEM.
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Sisters by Chance"This program has impacted me by telling me that I can do anything I put my mind to. Ms. Cannon has helped me with this life learning; basically helping us with getting ready for the future and how it will impact [our] lives. [The program is] getting you ready for the future and what obstacles that you might face during life. [Sisters by Chance] ... motivates you and help you with your mental health."- Cali, Sisters by Chance Program
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