The Young People’s Project’s work began in Chicago during the Summer of 2002 through a grant by Bank One and After School Matters (ASM). Our initial efforts involved training Bank One students to do Math Literacy Work. Based on the success of the initial pilot this work became housed within ASM as an incubator program. Our initial strategy sought to establish the University of Illinois Chicago, the University of Chicago (the Illinois Institute of Technology was substituted for U of C), and DePaul University as training hubs for the development of Math Literacy Work/Community Based Apprenticeships. It was our goal to use these training hubs to produce high school and college math literacy workers, to develop instructors, and to demonstrate the efficacy of math literacy work through workshops for middle and elementary students, community events and family math nights. Over the last three years, YPP in partnership with ASM and the Chicago Public Schools Math and Science Initiative (CMSI) established 3 training hubs (UIC, DePaul, and IIT) for the development of Math Literacy Workers (MLWs). Through these hubs YPP has trained over 750 high school and 50 college students to conduct math literacy workshops and organize community events for math literacy for students, parents and community member of all ages. These events and workshops involve over 1000 participants annually and are hosted at schools, parks, churches, colleges, community centers and a number of community based organizations.
Community Based Apprenticeships (1):
DePaul University
High School Based Apprenticeships (4):
Crane, Orr, Wells, Perspectives
Social Justice Workshops – incorporated into our MLW training, students are provided with information on the world around them, and taught how to look at social situations and make informed decisions that lead to productive non violent action.
Social Justice Workshops – incorporated into our MLW training, students are provided with information on the world around them, and taught how to look at social situations and make informed decisions that lead to productive non violent action.
Outreach Sites (2008-09):
Columbus Elementary, Mozart Elementary, Monroe Elementary, Lafayette Boys/Girls Club, LEARN Charter School, Perspectives Middle School, McAuliffe Elementary, Funston Elementary.
Program Direction and Goals:
Through the Office of High School Programs (OHSP), the Office of Math and Science (OMS), Algebra and Middle School initiative, After School Matters (ASM) and various university partners we will continue to engage local high school students in becoming catalysts for building demand for math literacy within Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Through these efforts we seek to increase the number of CPS students that develop the foundation to successfully undertake advanced math courses, including Calculus.
YPP Chicago and the Office of Math and Science are teaming together to create a new space for students, parents and community to celebrate learning math and understanding its importance in our daily lives. Through these Family Math Nights, CPS middle schools will participate and
During fall 2008, YPP Chicago kicked off its Student Advocacy Iniative, an opportunity for students to discuss issues that matter to them and find creative solutions to solving issues in their neighborhoods. Students participate in events for relationship building, workshops and trips that promote the importance of quality education, avenues to long term success and giving back to their communities.
Through the Flagway games we seek to create an opportunity for students in Chicago to learn and celebrate learning math, in the same way that they learn and celebrate learning basketball and for parents and community members to support and celebrate students learning math, in the same way that they support and celebrate students’ mastery of basketball.
CPS Office of Math and Science (OMS)
Black Men and Boys Initiative
Illinois Institute of Technology, Dept of Community Affairs
Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO)
YPP Chicago
3424 S. State
Suite IC3-2
Chicago, IL 60616
773-793-2208
Contact Persons: Javier Maisonet or Charlenne De Leon