LSNA Youth Organizers Take On Tough Questions

VOYCE-Voices of Youth in Chicago Education

LSNA is a member of a project called Voices of Youth in Chicago Education.
VOYCE is a youth-led, multi-racial, cross-cultural, and cross-community collaborative effort to decrease drop out rates and also increase college enrollment in Chicago Public Schools through methods of research and community organizing.

The project brings together seven of the most creative community organizations in the city out of a shared sense of urgency regarding the low achievement levels of young people, specifically youth of color, in the Chicago Public Schools.

While VOYCE’s efforts are youth-led, it also recognizes that seeking support and input among all stakeholders to create stronger schools and communities is also essential.
Students and their adult allies believe that integrating school officials, including principals and teachers, is imperative for the process to be successful.

VOYCE is a three year initiative funded by a $1.5 million dollar grant award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Following is a list of community organizations that are part of the collaborative and the high schools that they are working with:
Albany Park Neighborhood Council - Roosevelt H.S. and Mather H.S.
Brighton Park Neighborhood Council - Kelly H.S.
Kenwood Oakland Community Organization - Dyett H.S. and Kenwood Academy
Logan Square Neighborhood Association -Kelvyn Park H.S. and North-Grand H.S.
Organization of the NorthEast - Senn H.S. and Uplift Community HS
Target Area Development Corporation – Calumet/Perspectives Charter School
Southwest Organizing Project — Gage Park HS

If you would like to learn more about and/or volunteer with the VOYCE Project, please call: Rebecca Walz at 773.384.4370 x50, rwalz@lsna.net or Juliet Alejandre at 773.384.4370 x18, jalejandre@lsna.net.

Voices of Youth in Chicago Education (link: http://www.1voyce.piczo.com/)