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Community Schools Initiative

Empowering Chicago Communities

In collaboration with Chicago Public Schools, our Community Schools Initiative (Y-CSI) promotes academic, social-emotional, and physical wellbeing in under-resourced elementary and middle schools, primarily on the South and West Sides of Chicago. We leverage activities, partners, and resources — anchored in academic readiness, character development, fitness and healthy living, and violence prevention — to build community and deliver enrichment programming and support to both school-age youth and their families. 

Registration is Open!

Are you a parent or guardian at one of Y-CSI's partner schools? Register for Y-CSI programming by clicking the link below and searching for your school’s name in the search box! View a full list of our partner schools in our FAQ section below. 

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Supporting Youth & Adult Success  

Kids doing an academic challenge

Development

Beyond the school day, our safe and engaging environment encourages increased school attendance and the development of real-world competencies such as self-management, leadership, teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and positive decision-making.  

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Kids building

Enrichment

We help improve scholastic achievement and provide opportunities for students to engage in academic content in non-traditional learning environments such as project-based learning and clubs. Our arts and cultural enrichment programs focus on an array of experiences including dance, drama, music, STEM, field trips and special culminating events like Destination Imagination Day and our annual Scholastic Spectacular!   

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Kids showing off their art

Wellbeing

Our program offers a range of health and wellness activities — from fitness to nutrition and culinary skills — for students, families and community members.  Additional adult programs include art, dance, digital literacy, financial literacy, workforce development, and more. 

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You Have Questions; We Have Answers

View frequently asked questions about Y-CSI below!

  • Chicago Public Schools Community Schools provide an alternate vision of schools as Community Hubs that draw together resources to support the academic, health, and social service needs of youth and their families. 

    Our Y-CSI strategy transforms schools into places where educators, local community members, families, and students work together to strengthen conditions for learning and development. 

    • Alex Haley Elementary School (11411 S. Eggleston Ave., 60628) 
    • Anna Langford Elementary School (6010 S. Throop St., 60636) 
    • Arthur Libby Elementary School (5300 S. Loomis Blvd., 60609) 
    • Charles Sumner Elementary School (4320 W. 5th Ave., 60624) 
    • Doolittle Elementary School (535 E. 35th St., 60616) 
    • Florence Nightingale Elementary School (5225 S. Talman St., 60632) 
    • Francis McKay Elementary School (938 S. Washtenaw Ave., 60629) 
    • Luke O’Toole Elementary School (6550 S. Seeley Ave., 60636) 
    • Monarcas Academy (5815 S. Homan Ave., 60629) 
    • Pasteur Elementary School (5825 S. Kostner Ave., 60629) 
    • Perkins Bass Elementary School (1140 W. 66th St., 60621) 
    • Richard Edwards Elementary School (4815 S. Karlov Ave., 60632) 
    • Willa Cather Elementary School (2908 W. Washington Blvd., 60612) 
    • William Earle Elementary School (2040 W. 62nd St., 60636) 

  • Our Y-CSI partners deliver programming to Y-CSI students and families and train our Y-CSI staff to lead new programs. We are incredibly thankful for the generous support of our current community partners (listed below)!

    Abundant Colors; Burst Into Books; Changing Worlds; Character Action Media; Chef Diamond and Friends Culinary Program; Chess Scholars and Afterschool Enrichment Solutions; Chicago School of Musical Arts; Chofit (Keanna Harris); CircEsteem; Clear The Sand Initiative; Common Threads; Cradles to Crayons; Destination Imagination; Focus Fairies; Fre2Dance; Gardeneers; GiGi Tonye; Girl World and Just Us; Girls in the Game; I PLAY GAMES; iCook After School; Illinois Youth Soccer Association; Impact Dojo; Junior Achievement; Just Gettin Started; LG Consultants; Limes Smiles for Miles Inc.; Measner Magic Shows; Movella Dance; Project Syncere; Scales & Tales; Snapology; Sowing Seeds; Sweet & Savory; Ultimate Martial Arts and Fitness; Univ of IL Extension – 4H; Urban Initiatives; Varsity Foam; WE; Young Chicago Authors; and Young Rembrandts. 

    If you are interested in becoming a Y-CSI community partner, please email Community Schools Initiative Executive Director Eric Werge at [email protected].

  • Depending on the specific school, our programs are either entirely grant-funded and provided at no cost to participants, or they are organized around a sliding scale based on the Child Care Assistance Program. If you would like to learn more about program costs at your school, please email [email protected]. 

  • Each year, our Y strengthens communities by connecting hundreds of thousands of people to their purpose, potential, and each other. We continuously enhance program quality, deliver innovative services to meet communities’ wants and needs, and cultivate opportunities for people of all ages to engage in more play.  

    Communities are stronger when there is a YMCA present. We contribute to the health, happiness, economic vitality, and connectedness of individuals and families across the region. Our Y-CSI partnerships are primarily on the South, West, and the Far North Sides of Chicago, serving minority and low-income students. When selecting school partners, we also look for schools with a high number of English Language Learners, high truancy rates, and schools in communities where other similar resources do not exist. 

  • During the 2023-24 school year, we: 

    • Provided free, out-of-school time enrichment programs at 20 Chicago elementary and middle schools. 
    • Engaged 3,196 students and 2,118 adults, including caregivers and community members. 
    • Reached a diverse constituency, with 99% of students being youth of color, 91% being from economically disadvantaged households, and 19% being English Language Learners. 
    • Maintained national “active participation” standards with a program attendance rate of 81% and 94% of students attending at least 60% of program days. 
    • Increased parent-school engagement with a Parent/Caregiver Net Promoter Score of 86 (75+ is considered “world-class”). 
    • Supported improved academic readiness, self-efficacy, and persistence, evidenced through statistics such as 95% of students becoming more interested in meeting new people and 91% of students being able to stay focused when working on a task. 

  • Y-CSI's mission is to enable and support Chicago Public Schools students and their families by providing them with opportunities to participate in a coordinated and diverse set of quality-expanded learning programs that prepare them for post-secondary education, careers, and success in life. 

    Y-CSI envisions a Chicago where all youth — regardless of their race, ethnicity, or zip code — have the skills and competencies they need to succeed both in and outside of the classroom. We look at the whole picture, working to equip all parents with the tools and opportunities to support their children’s learning while meeting their own educational and professional goals. 

  • If you are interested in Y-CSI, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact Executive Director Community Schools Initiative Executive Director Eric Werge at [email protected]. 

Annual Scholastic Spectacular

Our Scholastic Spectacular is full of friendly competition, creativity, and community! Y-CSI school teams engage in jeopardy-style academic competitions and work together to demonstrate their scholastic knowledge in a wide range of subjects. In between the academic rounds, students share their creativity via music and dance performances that celebrate their talents and school pride.

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Destination Imagination Day

Our Destination Imagination Day is an annual day celebrating innovation, teamwork, and creative problem solving. Throughout the school year, Destination Imagination engages students in curriculum that challenges them to solve “instant challenges” on the spot, helping build vital skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity.

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 Meet Your Y-CSI Leadership Team 

Say hello to the leaders who bring their own passion and enthusiasm to the YMCA every single day! 

  • Eric Werge

    Y-CSI Executive Director | ACT Now State of Illinois Out-Of-School Time Advocate Award Recipient

  • Antwon Mallory

    Y-CSI Senior Program Director

  • Gerald Walton

    Y-CSI Senior Program Director

  • Curissa Smith

    Y-CSI Program Director

  • Josh Fidler

    Y-CSI Program Director

  • Nicole York

    Y-CSI Program Director

Be a Catalyst for Change

Join us in transforming lives through Y-CSI by donating below! By bridging the gap between formal and informal learning, we enhance academic and social outcomes, empower families, and strengthen our communities. We appreciate your support!

Interested in volunteering some of your time with Y-CSI? Complete this form and select the relevant school or email [email protected].

Donate

It's Fun to Work at the YMCA!

There are so many great roles at Y-CSI, and one is waiting just for you! Whatever your skill set, whatever your expertise, we welcome all talents from all members of our communities. Check out Y-CSI job openings using the link below!

Job Openings
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“The Y-CSI program made a big impact on my child. My child is now using her voice by speaking for herself and others. My child has set goals to help make a positive change within the community. My child has now set different goals for herself to strive harder. The Y is the best thing that I came across for my child.” - Y-CSI Parent

Are you a Y-CSI parent or participant and do you have a testimonial that you'd like to share? Please email [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!