Dear Friends,

It’s been an exciting and challenging two years here at Youth Outreach Services (YOS)! We had the great pleasure of celebrating the 50 anniversary of our agency, recognizing five decades of service to a growing number of youth and families throughout chicago. In celebrating this anniversary, we also had the chance to reflect on our work and the important IMPACT we continue striving to make in our communities.

In my more than 30 years in the field, never have I seen a greater need for human services in chicago than I do today. Families throughout the city are struggling in this difficult economy, working two jobs to support their children – often still living in a state of poverty. Youth daily face struggles most of us cannot even imagine, such as gangs and violence on the streets – often just steps away from their front doors. And our staff are serving more individuals than ever with fewer resources due to funding challenges in our state – often using money from their own pockets to help their clients.

Yet, we continue to have hope thanks to the efforts of our staff to stay on the cutting-edge of program provision and innovation, support from legislators for our advocacy movements, and the generosity of our friends in providing financial and volunteer support. Throughout this Annual Report, you will find examples of the IMPACT we are making in the lives of the youth and families we serve, as well as throughout the field. These stories are just a snapshot of the exciting work we are doing and results we are achieving with the help and support of friends like you.

I hope you will enjoy these stories and continue to stay in touch with us throughout the coming year. We are excited about the future of YOS, and hope you will continue to partner with us as we continue to provide the support kids need to overcome their challenges and succeed!

Sincerely,

Rick Velasquez
Executive Director

Snapshots from the FY10/11 Annual Report...

Change of Scenery Does YOS Clients Good
To see the world in a different way, it helps to change the scenery. That was the case for two groups of YOS clients who unplugged for a week in the deep woods of Northern Minnesota this past summer. The outings, sponsored by Big City Mountaineers, taught kids who had never been to the wilderness how to canoe, camp and cook outdoors. But, the longest-lasting lesson is one they will carry with them the rest of their lives: I have what it takes to conquer the unknown.
Read more in the full report below!

“It was great to see the kids come together and bust the myth about always finding excuses not to do something,” said Roberto Lopez, office coordinator for the YOS Cicero Office who organized the boys’ trip. “We changed their environment just enough so the kids could see the abilities and possibilities they have.”

Whatever It Takes
In March 2011, YOS counselor Marco Oviedo walked to the front door of a home in the Midway neighborhood of Chicago’s southwest side. He was there to meet a young man named George and his family, who had been referred by Cook County Juvenile Court Probation to the Youth outreach Services (YOS) Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) Program – often the last hope for many kids facing detention. George had just been charged with his fifth incident of criminal behavior, past offenses including trespassing, aggravated assault and battery, and his parents were at their wits’ end. The situation seemed hopeless. Marco knocked on the door, determined to help... Read more in the full report below!

“MST is different than other programs, because we focus on all the variables impacting youth behavior and integrate ourselves into every aspect of a kid’s life,” said Sarah Petzel, MST Supervisor. “While we help kids develop the abilities they need to make positive changes, we focus a great deal of effort on giving their parents the tools and skills they need to help their child succeed.”

Full FY10/11 Annual Report