Youth Leadership
Young people organize, speak up, plan events and practice the civic skills that strengthen neighborhoods.
All service areas
Young people shaping what comes next
Community & Youth Services
CAP affiliates create places where young people can lead, learn, build confidence and connect with adults who believe in their potential.
From neighborhood committees to nationally recognized performances, youth development is strongest when young people help design the experience.
For funders and partners
See how CAP's youth initiatives connect into one investment pathway.
Explore the leadership, wellness, education, economic mobility and community-care portfolio—and the practical support that helps young people stay connected.
Programs and approach
How this service area works.
Learning & Discovery
Academic enrichment, arts, sports and cultural experiences help youth discover interests and imagine new futures.
Family & Community
Affiliates bring families, mentors, schools and neighborhood partners together around young people.
2025-2026 activities and events
Youth programs ran throughout the year.
Affiliates reported recreation, youth committee meetings, workshops and homework help across the network.
Common activitiesCommunity serviceTutoringMentoringSports and recreationSummer programsPeer leadership
Some activities support more than one service area. Figures describe activities and events, not unique participants or annual outcomes.CAP objectives
Goals supported by this service area.
The same eight objectives are used across CAP's affiliate network.
Youth leadership
Young people help identify priorities, educate peers, select relevant programs and lead committee work.
1,065 activities and events across the networkLife skills & prevention
Youth practice decision-making, conflict resolution, communication, coping, money management and positive recreation.
2,812 activities and events across the networkFamily communication
Families strengthen trusted communication, consistent guidance, academic monitoring and future-focused support.
1,142 activities and events across the networkFamily aspirations
Parents strengthen expectations, advocacy and support for their children’s academic and career aspirations.
493 activities and events across the networkOne activity or event may support more than one objective, so these figures should not be added together.
Community resources
Find current programs, jobs and services.
Affiliates maintain public resource boards with local listings and events.
Browse all 31 resource boardsAuburn Gresham resources
View current programs, services, jobs and community updates.
Open board Community profilePilsen resources
View current programs, services, jobs and community updates.
Open board Community profileWaukegan resources
View current programs, services, jobs and community updates.
Open board Community profileFrom the CAP highlights archive
Recent stories from across the network.
These examples show how the service area takes shape in different communities. Figures reflect the supplied monthly reports and are not annualized.
A historic stage for Black excellence
The team performed at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center before carrying that momentum into a sold-out summer showcase.
National stagefor community-rooted talent
South Shore Drill Team
Youth march for peace
Youth created signs, shared messages of peace and marched with families, community leaders and law-enforcement partners against gun violence.
Youth-ledcivic action and public advocacy
Cicero Area Project
Culture, connection and a safe summer
An intergenerational Juneteenth celebration honored history and Black culture, followed by a safe-summer day filled with play, food and neighborhood resources.
100+Juneteenth participants
Robbins Community Youth CommitteePowered by neighborhood leadership
The full CAP affiliate network.
Explore all current affiliates across the CAP network. Each community shapes its own mix of youth programs, partnerships and priorities.
West Town
West Town Community Committee
Practical resources delivered through trusted relationships.
View affiliate profileWest Lawn
Latino Organization of the Southwest (LOS)
Culture, resources and belonging in one place.
View affiliate profileWest Garfield Park
Fathers Who Care
Youth voice amplified beyond the block.
View affiliate profileWaukegan
Employee Connections
Opening new flight paths to possibility.
View affiliate profileSummit
Summit Community Committee
Trusted gatherings connect families to practical support.
View affiliate profileChicago Lawn
Chicago Lawn Community Committee
Shared experiences strengthen identity and belonging.
View affiliate profileSouth Shore
New Spiritual Light
Positive youth identity travels across the city.
View affiliate profileHumboldt Park
Sembrando el Futuro (SELF)
Culture and connection become community strength.
View affiliate profileRoseland
Roseland Community Committee
Safety knowledge becomes community confidence.
View affiliate profileRobbins
Robbins Community Youth Committee
Intergenerational celebration builds a safer summer.
View affiliate profilePullman
Pullman Community Committee
Young people practice stewardship by doing it.
View affiliate profilePilsen
Pilsen Community Committee
Young leaders turn information into opportunity.
View affiliate profilePilsen
Legacy Youth Committee
Young leaders turn information into opportunity.
View affiliate profileNorth Lawndale
Grace Memorial Community Committee
Exposure makes a future feel reachable.
View affiliate profileNew City
New City Community Committee
Youth leadership wrapped in family connection.
View affiliate profileNear West Side
Major Adams Community Committee (MACC)
Creative expression supports healing and hope.
View affiliate profileHazel Crest
Hazel Crest Community Committee
New experiences create confidence and connection.
View affiliate profileGreater Grand Crossing
South Shore Drill Team
Discipline and artistry command a larger stage.
View affiliate profileFord Heights
Ford Heights Community Committee
Adults share skills; young people discover what they can do.
View affiliate profileEast Garfield Park
Westside Community Services Organization
Experience becomes a launchpad.
View affiliate profileChatham
Chatham Community Committee
Local leaders strengthen the practice behind the programs.
View affiliate profileAuburn Gresham
Auburn Gresham Community Committee
Personal guidance turns preparation into progress.
View affiliate profileBrighton Park
Opportunities for All Community Committee
A neighborhood platform for young people and families.
View affiliate profileAshburn
Ashburn Community Committee
Creative and active spaces invite new connections.
View affiliate profileAltgeld Gardens
Altgeld Gardens Community Committee
A public home for resident-led progress.
View affiliate profileAlbany Park
Albany Park Para Todos
Many cultures. One locally led future.
View affiliate profileCicero
Cicero Area Project
Youth voice moves from conversation to civic action.
View affiliate profileBuild Stronger Communities With Us.
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