Students Take Action Across Chicago

This spring, Mikva Challenge students are taking action on over 40 projects across the city. Mikva young people tackle tough issues affecting their lives and schools, and we wanted to share just 10 of these projects to give you a better sense of this important work. By addressing the root causes of serious societal problems and collaborating with adult allies, these youth are making their voices heard and leading positive change.
We hope you'll take a moment to read about the impact of these young activists! (Projects are listed in no particular order.)

TOP TEN STUDENT ACTIVISM PROJECTS

1. The Mikva Youth Innovation Fund has funded 16 student-led Peace Projects at high-need high schools around the city, and they held a peace conference for over 320 students from 23 schools on MLK Day. The Education Council is still accepting grant applications.
2. Students at Rudy Lozano, an alternative high school for students who were removed from the CPS system, are working to establish a peer jury at their school. This model of restorative justice is important to Rudy Lozano students who feel that in previous schools they were not treated fairly or were misunderstood. So far students have arranged a restorative justice training for students and faculty with help from Alternatives Inc.
3. Mikva Teen Health Council students appear with Public Health Commissioner Terry Mason live on WVON radio every third Sunday to discuss ways to improve teen health in Chicago. Shows have focused on reducing teen pregnancy, tackling teen depression, reducing obesity, and improving outreach to LGBT youth.
4. North Lawndale College Prep students are looking at unique services they can offer to parents to make it easier for them to be involved in their children's education. Students recommend texting academic reports home (rather than calling the home or mailing reports) and volunteering to babysit younger children so that adults can take GED and parenting classes at the school.
5. Mikva Peace & Leadership Council students at Al Raby High School got the "green light" to move forward with 6 of their recommendations to their principal. Students will host a "THINK Day"--a comprehensive sex-ed and self-awareness event--and research food distribution companies in order to select healthier lunchroom foods. 
6. Bowen Campus students persuaded their school officials to meet with members of the Chicago Police Department, aldermen, staff from the CPS Office of Safety & Security and community residents to discuss a spike in robberies near Bowen campus. Together they made a plan to install more lights on poorly lit streets, increase the police presence on vulnerable bus routes and provide more patrolling of the neighborhood. 
7. Students at Gage Park High School are seeking funding to build a monument that commemorates the 1966 marches for equal housing in their neighborhood, which we were led by Dr. King. Students took action on this project when they learned that Dr. King and others marched along paths that many Gage Park students take every day to get to school.
8. 8. Students at Roberto Clemente Community Academy are working with their principal to build better relationships with school security guards. They are surveying the guards about their jobs and meeting with them to discuss issues important to them. 
   
   
   
   
9. The Mikva Peace & Leadership Council at Orr High School is conducting an empathy training with school administrators to help build trust and cross-cultural understanding between students and adults in the school.
10. Mikva's Youth Safety Council sent letters to federal lawmakers in support of the youth employment portion of the stimulus package. The Safety Council is now advocating with city leaders for more youth employment opportunities and job training programs for high-need youth as a solution for reducing neighborhood violence.

Don't forget that our annual Civic Action Fair is coming up on Saturday, May 2nd at Walter Payton College Prep (1034 N. Wells). Over 280 students from 35 Chicago high schools will gather to showcase their civic action projects.

Thank you for your continued support of the Mikva Challenge!  

Democracy is a Verb!

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