Youth Scholars, Skills, Service (YS3)

This program provides Chicago area youth who are in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), are not enrolled in an educational or vocational program and do not have a high school diploma or GED with the opportunity and resources to attain their educational goals and become independent and productive adults. Integral components of YS3 are student mentoring, college placement, and support for three years.

The Alternative Schools Network of Chicago (ASN), in collaboration with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), has developed a program with 17 community-based alternative high schools to provide opportunities for youth who are out of school and do not have a high school diploma or GED. The Youth Scholars, Skills and Service Program (YS3) directory has been developed for professionals who work with 16-21 year old youth in the care of DCFS residing in foster care, the home of a relative, independent living situation or group home.

Participating schools are members of the Alternative Schools Network, and each school has its own unique academic character. All of the schools offer the following features to YS3 students:

Year-round Academic Program

Individualized education program
GED preparation
Small class size
Computer based assisted instruction
High speed Internet access
College preparation

After School Enrichment Program

Life skills
After-school tutoring
College Preparation
Employment skills
Structured social and cultural activities

Full-time School-Based Mentor

Intensive retention and support program
Coordination with DCFS case worker/service providers
Graduation and transition services
Coordinated community-based resources

Student Savings and Scholarship Program

Stipend for after school participation
Scholarships for post secondary education

Project New Futures

Transitional support to YS3 graduates into employment, vocational training and/or college
Participants tracked for three years by ASN staff
A collaboration between the Alternative Schools Network, the Department of Children and Family Services and a private funder.

Directory lists all schools alphabetically.

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A. ASA Academy
Address: 4651 W. Madison, Phone: 773.921.1315,·Contact: Reginald Breashears

K. Ada S. McKinley
Address: 2920 S. Wabash, Phone: 312.949.5010,·Contacts: Chester Holden, Lakeisha Rozier

M. Antonia Pantoja H.S.
Address: 3121 N. Pulaski Ave, Phone: 773.252.0970,·Contact: Tito Rodriguez

C. CCA Academy
Address: 1231 S. Pulaski, Phone: 773.762.2272,·Contacts: Crystal Williams, Gregory Williams

D. Charles Hamilton Houston (Prologue)
Address: 4701 S King Drive, Phone: 773.723.9630,·Contacts: Ngomuna Fetepigi

E. Community Youth Development Inc.
Address: 7836 S. Union, Phone: 773.224.2273,·Contacts: Brandy Cole, Sharron Hannah

B. Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos H.S.
Address: 2739 W. Division, Phone: 773.342.8022,·Contact: Ruben Gerena, Matt Rodriguez

F. Howard Leadership Academy
Address: 7647 N. Paulina, Phone: 773.381.0366,·Contacts: Alyse Tonon, Antasia Maddox

G. Innovations High School (Bronzevile)
Address: 17 N. State St., Suite 300, Phone: 312.999.9360,·Contact: Jennifer Adams, Marshea Wright

H. Jobs For Youth/Chicago
Address: 2230 S Michigan, 2nd Floor, Phone: 312.225.4810,·Contacts: Nina Hardy, Zenobia Muhammad

I. Joshua Johnston Fine Arts & Design (Prologue)
Address: 1551 W. 95th St., Phone: 773.341.2260,·Contacts: Amy Minor

J. Latino Youth H.S.
Address: 2001 S. California Ave, Phone: 773.648.2130,·Contacts: Jose Luis Rodriguez

L. Olive-Harvey Middle College
Address: 10001 S. Woodlawn, Lower Level, Phone: 773.291.6517,·Contacts: Consuelo Rojas, Benita Best

N. Prologue Early College (WEB DuBois)
Address: 1135 N. Cleaver, Phone: 773.935.9925,·Contacts: Monique Scott, Jay Yolich

O. Sullivan High School
Address: 8164 S. South Chicago, Phone: 773.978.0586,·Contacts: Derek Smith, Robin Johnson

P. West Town Academy
Address: 534 N Sacramento, Phone: 312.563.9044,·Contacts: Liliana Rosa, Tambra Pendleton, Keisha Coleman

Q. Winnie Mandela (Prologue)
Address: 7847 S. Jeffrey, Phone: 773.375.0529,·Contacts: Douglas Banks, Jamilah Kareem

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