Youth Connection

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Youth Connection's mission is to offer social, service and learning opportunities to Wilmette area 5th - 8th graders. We provide experiences that encourage kids to participate, grow and have fun in a safe, inclusive environment.

What's Youth Connection's role in our schools -- and our community?

We know that youth in the 5^th through 8^th grades face increasing pressures in academics, sports, and social settings as they move into pre-adolescence. Every community, regardless of economic circumstances, is challenged to provide enriching and affirming activities for young people. Youth Connection has been meeting this challenge for over two decades by providing a welcoming, supportive atmosphere at a variety of after-school clubs and by sponsoring social gatherings where young people can have fun in a respectful, positive atmosphere.

What does Youth Connection offer 5th through 8th graders -- and their families?

Youth Connection serves our community’s young people through a number of well-established programs:

RAD (Recreational Academic Development) is a supervised after-school meeting place where 5th and 6th graders can get help with homework, socialize with friends, create art projects, and join in games and service projects. This free program is located in the Highcrest Middle School (HMS) cafeteria, and runs Monday - Friday from 3:40 to 6:00 p.m. Opens 8/30/10.

The DEN is a supervised after-school meeting place where 7th and 8th graders visit with friends, read, play games, work on service projects, enjoy snacks, and listen to music. This free program is located in the Wilmette Junior High School (WJHS) Commons and runs Monday - Friday from 2:45 to 5:00 p.m. Opens 8/30/10.

The Art Club is a supervised after-school activity that meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the WJHS art room. Club members can attend anytime the creative mood inspires them. There is a fee per semester to cover the cost of art supplies. Opens 10/5/10.

The Homework Clubs meets in the Library Media Center (LMC) at WJHS on Mondays through Thursdays from 2:45 to 4:00 p.m. This club offers a quiet place where students can work on assignments, discuss group projects and use the LMC’s computers and library resources. An adult coordinator is available to assist students. Highcrest Middle School has its own program which also meets in the LMC at HMS on Mondays through Thursdays from 3:40-4:40pm. Opens 9/13/10.

HOPE (Helping Others a Personal Experience) are community service programs designed to give our youth the opportunity to support the work of local social service agencies and put their idealism to work in a way that is meaningful to them and to their community. The Good News Soup Kitchen(GNSK) is visited on a monthly basis on weekend afternoons from 4:30-6:30p.m. Other programs include packages to American troops in Irag and Afganistan, and the Toys for Tots.

The Youth Plays are highly regarded – and popular – theatrical experiences that give a large cast of  5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade youth an opportunity to display their talents in professionally directed stage productions. The Highcrest Theatre Experience will be 11/5/2010 at 7:30p.m. The Spring Musical at Wilmette Junior High School is scheduled for 3/18/11 & 3/19/11 at 7:30 p.m. and 3/20/11 at 2p.m.

TGIF is a well-staffed, chaperoned social gathering held on a select Friday evening for students at HMS. This popular event features music (with a DJ), games and healthy refreshments. TGIF is scheduled for 2/25/11 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.

The Creature Feature is a chaperoned Halloween Movie Festival is for all students at WJHS. This new annual event features holiday decorations, food, candies, and freshments. This frightfully festive event is Friday 10/29/10 at 7:30 p.m..

The Battle of the Bands is a special annual event where young local bands get to showcase their talents for friends and family. The event is held in the WJHS auditorium and always draws a large audience. The show Co-Sponsored by Kiss 103.5 FM is Friday 2/04/11 at 7:30 - 9 p.m.

Who leads Youth Connection?

The Executive Director of Youth Connection and a staff oversee the organization’s day-to-day activities. Our Executive Director is a trained individual with an extensive background in programming for youth. The part-time staff is recruited on the basis of previous work experience or current academic work in youth programming, services, or education. In addition, the Youth Connection Board brings together parents, local business professionals, and others who volunteer their time to support the organization’s mission.

How does Youth Connection collaborate with schools and other community organizations?

As an independent non-profit organization serving young people in Wilmette’s two school districts (37 and 39), Youth Connection collaborates with local school administrations and PTOs, the Wilmette Park District, and other community organizations to offer meaningful programming that makes the best possible use of resources.

How can you help?

If you’d like to learn more about Youth Connection, we would be glad to hear from you. Our Site Directors can tell you about volunteer opportunities and can refer you to Board members who would be pleased to discuss ways to get involved. Our  Directors can be contacted by phone at 847-254-2224 for WJHS & 847-254-2225 for HMS.

In keeping with Youth Connection’s independent status, the organization’s programs are funded by contributions from families, local philanthropies and non-governmental organizations, area businesses, and community-minded individuals.

If you’d like to make a tax-deductible contribution to help sustain Youth Connection’s work in our community, we would welcome your support. Please either mail your contribution to our P.O. Box  67, Wilmette, IL. 60091 or send it electronically through Pay-Pal on this website.