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| YAR Board Member Robert D. Miller
credits CAP's Youth As Resources program with giving the confidence
he needed to step forward and give his opinion. By becoming
part of the planning process, Robert and other YAR members help
solve problems in their communities. |
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Robert D. Miller became involved with Cap's
Youth As Resources (YAR) at the age of 15 while he was a student
at DuSable High School. As a YAR member, Robert learned a lot about
youth leadership and the impact that other youth can have on their
peers and on adults.
"I found my inner strength at YAR,"
states Robert. He explains that he tended to stand back and let
others give the answers. This changed under the guidance of YAR
Staffer Leslie Welch who repeatedly assured the young man that he
had a lot to offer. "Leslie Welch told me that if I only stepped
forward I would be amazed at the many opportunities that would come
my way," says Robert. He took the advice to heart. As a YAR
board member, he has displayed faith, dedication, and commitment.
"The things we learn in YAR are helping us solve some of the
problems that are facing youth in our communities," states
Robert. "If young people have more opportunities to be part
of the planning process they will become part of the solution, not
part of the problem."
Robert and other YAR members illustrate this
concept. "Wherever I go," says Robert, "I am able
to demonstrate the YAR philosophy that youth in leadership makes
a lot of difference. The caring adults at YAR show us that we are
truly Youth As Resources.
More
about Robert Miller
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The lives of Dorothy
Smith and Kimberly Porter took a dramatic change for the better
after they took part in Cap's Women in Transition (WIT) program.
Here are their stories in their own words:
Dorothy Smith:
"Women in Transition helped me by getting me a job. I came
into WIT in 1998. When I first started I was doing volunteer work
to get my grant. They sent me to different job sites and job fairs.
I had never been to a job fair. When I went to my first job fair,
I learned what to do about getting a job. Then, I got a job at the
United Center and at a youth center. That was almost three years
ago and I am still doing both of those jobs."
Kimberly Porter:
"Women in Transition brought up my self-esteem. They gave me
the will power to work and better myself. They made me want to be
an independent person. I came into WIT in August 2000. They gave
me good training to prepare myself for a job. There was a lot of
things I didn't know like filling out job applications and working
on a computer. I was also kind of shy. WIT brought me out of my
shyness."
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| Dorothy
Smith (top) and Kimberly Porter (bottom) gained job skills and
self-esteem by participating in Cap's Women in Transition program. |
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Rites of Passage (ROP) is a unique program
that addresses the developmental needs of young males in group homes
or foster care by using the Seven Principles of the Nguzo Saba,
a Black value system created by Dr. Maulana Karenga. The 12-week
ROP program prepares males between 14 and 21 for the passage from
adolescence to manhood through a variety of in-depth activities
that emphasize qualities such as positive attitude, health, teamwork,
caring for others, problem solving, and taking responsibility. At
the end of the program, after completing an intensive two-day retreat,
the youth develop their own personal strategy plan.
Brian:
Brian was so inspired by his experiences in Chicago Area Project's
(CAP) Rites of Passage (ROP) project that he was able to share his
secret dream: to establish his own business. Based on the tools
that he was given in ROP, Brian started to thoroughly examine his
dream and develop a first draft of a business plan that included
basics like budgeting and time-lines. As a ROP graduate, Brian will
be able to take advantage of Cap's total range of services that
include education, housing, vocational training, pre- and post-employment
skills, and job placement. He will work with CAP staff to select
those services that will help him achieve his goals.
Ricky:
Ricky was kid with lots of problems until he got involved in Cap's
ROP project. It turned out that he desperately wanted to speak out,
but was not able to express himself. In ROP, Ricky finally found
freedom of expression. He told ROP Director Elaine Rhodes that he
wanted to tell a parable during the graduation ceremony. Ricky's
parable was about an eagle who had been raised like a chicken. The
eagle thinks that he's a chicken and therefore can't fly. Then,
one day, he finds out that he's really an eagle. He spreads his
wings and soars into the sky.
Anthony:
Anthony's case worker was very concerned about him. Anthony, 20,
was despondent and had such low self-esteem that he would actually
physically hurt himself. Through ROP, Anthony began thinking about
what it is like to be a man and take care of himself. He revealed
that he wanted to become a mechanic. The first step was to finish
his GED. After that, he went on to a technical institute where he
is being trained as an auto mechanic. Now, he can fix anything under
the hood of a car. Anthony is so proud that he plans to bring along
his tool kit and use it as part of his graduation ceremony presentation.
Simeon
Simeon's involvement in Cap's Rights of Passage project gave him
the skills and outlook needed to transition from a group home to
independent living. His experiences in ROP inspired him to write
the following poem and presentation that he will recite during the
June 7, 2001 graduation ceremony:
Poem:
In a place known as home.
In the streets to those unknown.
To a person without a place…
With the skin of a different race.
To a brother, hold his hand, and to a sister, be a man.
And for our sake live as one, for this life is almost done.
And if you count each day a blessing
Then each day you learn a lesson.
Remember most, we'll stick together,
Remember this, things will get better.
So, in time, if not forgotten
Just remember we're not stoppin'
This simply long train of UNITY.
If you struggle, but you still are makin' it, you're just like that
person next to you cause I
Know if he/she isn't struggling, then they've already been there.
Presentation:
The problem with people our age
today is their low motivation efforts. And the only advice I have
to give to you today is whatever you do in life, be the best at
it and always keep a mind of success. As young black people today,
we need to be helping each other out instead of talking each other
down. This program (the Chicago Area Project) has a lot to offer
if you really look into it. This program teaches you how to be independent
and if you already are, then it only helps you. Remember you can
never learn too much. I'd like to thank Mr. Whittaker, the executive
director of the program for putting this together. I'd also like
to thank Ms. Rhodes for not giving up on the boys at Neon House.
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