Y.O.U. Expands OST Program to Bessie Rhodes School

We are thrilled to announce that Y.O.U. was recently awarded a 3-year 21st Century Learning Center grant from the Illinois State Board of Education to provide afterschool and summer programming to 3rd-8th graders at Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies in Evanston/Skokie School District 65 starting in calendar year 2023. We are thrilled to expand our program reach further and look forward to working with school and district leadership, along with the Bessie Rhodes School community to introduce this new resource to the school.

Y.O.U.’s expansion pilot at King Arts School last spring helped Y.O.U. design a pathway for Y.O.U. to serve across elementary and middle grades in a magnet school setting. This fall, Y.O.U. continues to serve youth in grades 3-8 at King Arts. Y.O.U. recognizes plans for Bessie Rhodes School to move to the new 5th ward school location in the future—and this 21st Century funding will follow students to ensure continuity of service. This expansion will bring Y.O.U.’s current reach to 8 Title I partner schools in District 65 and 10 partner schools in total.

“We’re proud to continue expanding Y.O.U.’s impact as we work to serve all youth in Evanston who could benefit from our programs and services,” said Y.O.U. CEO Craig Lynch. April Langworthy, Y.O.U.’s Executive Director of Out-of-School Time Programs, added, “Many youth are still coping with the negative impacts of the pandemic. I’m excited that Y.O.U. has the opportunity to provide crucial academic, social, and emotional support and resources to even more youth.” News of this expansion comes alongside strong enrollment for this program year—with enrollment up 45% compared to this time last year. This demand reminds us of both our strong ability to serve youth and the need for our program and services.

Learn more about our Out-of-School Time Program here.