May 2010
What Are Mikva Youth Doing This Summer?
Summer is finally here! At Mikva Challenge, that means we're getting ready for another lively yet rigorous summer program. But first, we'd like to shine a light on how one of our programs - Peace and Leadership Councils - wrapped up their highly successful year.
| CONGRATULATIONS, PEACE & LEADERSHIP COUNCILS! | |
| We are very proud of the work that the Peace & Leadership Councils accomplished this year. After surveying their peers on issues relating to school quality, council members came up with concrete, thoughtful recommendations for their principals. These focused on how to curb school violence, improve acade mics and security, foster school unity, and increase parental and community involvement. Here are just a few examples: Concerned about the discipline policy and lack of unity among the four schools on the campus, Little Village- Lawndale High School PLC students proposed that peer juries be  expanded to all four schools, and for increased training and accountability for security guards. Students stressed that the juries have st rict governing rules to ensure sustainability and effectiveness. The principals agreed to the expansion of peer juries and improving the security guard training, and they are working together with students to implement the recommendations. Budget cuts at Sullivan High School had forced the administration to blocks students from watching after-school sporting events; they couldn't pay for the necessary security staff. PLC students responded by securing over 1,500 hours of volunteer commitments from parents and community residents, many of whom wanted to get more involved at the school. This recommendation addressed safety (more 'crowd control'), parent involvement (inviting them to join school activities) and school unity (by boosting school spirit). After Phillips High School was designated for turnaround, Mikva ran a PLC in May so that so that students could voice their opinions about how the new school should improve. The new principal of Phillips was so impressed with the group that he asked them to help create the disciplinary policies and procedures for the new school. Mikva Challenge also ran PLCs at Bowen, Epic Academy and Julian High School this year with similar success. PLCs are testament that when real, meaningful student voice is incorporated into decision-making, schools become healthier, safer environments for all! | |
| SUMMER AT MIKVA CHALLENGE! | |
The acceptance letters have been mailed: 90 students from across Chicago were selected to participate in Mikva Challenge's two summer programs! We will place 45 students in paid internships in the offices of public officials at the city, state and federal levels; and another 45 students will join our Citywide Youth Councils.  THE NEW CLASS OF POLICYMAKERS!Our new class of Youth Council students will experience a 'think tank' summer of intensive research and policy development on important public policy questions. Last year's Youth Council students set a high bar: they won approval from CPS head Ron Huberman to launch Student Voice Committees in 5 pilot high schools, which will foster youth-voice at the school level; they gave powerful testimonies on teen health needs at a Board of Education meeting and around the State; they even won funding from the MacArthur Foundation to support youth-led projects supporting safe passage, and more. For a sample of the students' policy papers, click here. With the guidance of our trained staff, we are confident that this new class of policymakers will be just as, if not more, successful this year. BEHIND-THE-SCENES! Our Summer Government and Leadership Institute (SGLI) begins in June. This is a unique internship opportunity for high school seniors. Through this experience students  work with public officials, gain professional office skills, and receive advanced leadership training from Mikva staff in weekly workshops. Students also leave this program with impressive recommendation letters from public officials. Past participants have recommendations from President Obama, Former US Senator Peter Fitzgerald, Mayor Daley, and Senator Dick Durbin.Of last year's interns:
WHY MIKVA CHALLENGE RUNS THESE SUMMER PROGRAMS! Both our Government Internship and Youth Council programs equip young people with the tools to become active citizens and leaders in their communities, while providing them with the skills needed to survive in today's workforce. These summer job programs are fun for students, but also challenging, and ultimately life-changing. | |
| On May 1st, we held our 8th annual Civic Activism Fair at the Little Village-Lawndale High School Campus. Check out the top projects here! We've updated the Photo Gallery and Video Gallery on our website! Check out photos from the Civics Fair, our Spring fundraiser, and video clips from our Issues to Action and Peace & Leadership Councils. |
| Thank you for supporting youth voice in Chicago! |
