Logan Square Youth Make a Difference in the Neighborhood

Summer 2010.

“This summer I had an eye-opening experience. Interviewing small business owners around my community showed me that even though most are struggling through a bad economy, they continue to work really hard to keep their businesses alive,” reflected LSNA youth intern, Brian Perea.

     Brian wasn’t the only youth that had the opportunity to do meaningful work in his community and earn some cash at the same time. This summer LSNA provided 40 youth with meaningful summer job opportunities. Through the After School Matters (ASM) program, youth worked on a variety of projects. 

One group created two murals; an alternative transportation themed mural located behind West Town Bikes on Division St. and a second mural at Kelvyn Park HS with a focus on young people achieving their future goals. 

Youth interns worked as camp counselors, in community outreach, and on  a community action research project investigating possible connections between youth and local businesses. LSNA works to provide and create opportunities like these for youth because they are an essential part of their development as young people.  LSNA’s summer jobs teach young people how to be accountable and responsible in a work setting and provide opportunities to work in and learn about their community - to actually make a difference. 

It is critical to provide positive experiences for young people as an alternative to hanging in the streets or even just lying on the couch for a summer as well as to show young people and adults alike that they are valuable assets to their schools, families and community.