E-News

Youth News, April 2008

Belfort House Graduation

Congratulations to Eliot, TLP’s newest alumnus!
Eliot graduated from Belfort House on April 3, and moved into Hull House’s Emerge program. Even though he will no longer be living at Belfort House, Eliot will always be part of the TLP family, and we look forward to seeing him at future events. Congratulations, Eliot, for everything you have achieved.

Complete April 2008 E-newsletter

Youth News, March 2008

Team-Building Night at Belfort House

The Belfort House Youth Council hosted an evening of team-building activities February 28. Similar to what employees do at corporate retreats, TLP’s activities entailed lowering a “helium stick” to the ground using just one finger, untying knots in a large piece of rope, guiding blindfolded team members, etc. and all required communication and teamwork. Even though some of the activities presented challenges, the youth successfully completed all of them. After an unsuccessful attempt at one activity, the youth eventually revisited and completed it: “Sometimes you have to walk away from a problem and come back to it,” one youth said.

Complete March 2008 E-newsletter

Youth News, January 2008

Belfort House Graduation

October 2007 was a big month for Nick, as he was the subject of an article in the New York Times. It couldn’t compare with January 2008 though, when Nick started college — and graduated into CaSSA. Friends, former teachers, mentors, TLP staff and youth celebrated Nick’s graduation January 16. Congratulations, Nick, for all you have achieved!

TLP Holiday Party

There were many smiles and lots of crumpled wrapping paper at TLP’s holiday party December 20. Thanks to generous donors at American Health Information Management Association, Clear Channel Communications, Jackson Hewitt, United Airlines, Unitarian Church of Evanston, Walgreens (Community Investment Division), Wal-Mart and many other generous individuals, TLP youth enjoyed an evening of community and presents (wrapped by a team of dedicated volunteers). Thank you to everyone who helped!

Complete January 2008 E-newsletter

Youth News, December 2007

CaSSA Graduations

TLP celebrated milestones for two youth in late November: Sabrina became the 10th TLP youth to graduate from CaSSA (TLP’s clustered and scattered-site housing program), and Angelee graduated from Belfort House into CaSSA. Friends, family, and TLP staff members were on hand to mark the beginning and the end of amazing chapters in the lives of both young women. Congratulations, Sabrina and Angelee!

Thanks-for-Giving Celebration

A record number of guests joined TLP staff and youth for a delicious Thanks-for-Giving dinner November 19. Thank you to everyone who stopped by!

Complete December 2007 E-newsletter

Youth News, November 2007

Running with the Bulls

Several TLP youth enjoyed an evening at the United Center, watching the Chicago Bulls take on the Milwaukee Bucks on October 25. The outing was organized by Marakon Associates employees who are part of our young professionals group, TLP Associates. The good times were made even better by the Bulls’ 97-81 victory. Thank you, Marakon and TLP Associates, for organizing this outing!

National Coming Out Day Poetry Jam

Feet were tapping and fingers snapping October 11 at Belfort House when 50 youth, staff members, and guests celebrated National Coming Out Day. The 20 performers (who sang songs, recited poems, and performed dances) included nine youth and six staff members. Additionally, two guests — motivational speaker Kente Kizer and Vernita Gray, LGBT liaison with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office — spoke at the event. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated!

Complete November 2007 E-newsletter

Youth News, October 2007

Youth Back to School in Record Numbers!

TLP youth are back in school in record numbers! A whopping 90% are enrolled in academic programs, the highest percentage in recent years. Thanks to TLP’s Supportive Services Department they are in colleges, traditional high schools, alternative high schools, the American School (a correspondence high school program), school-based GED programs, TLP’s GED study program, and literacy programs.

The percentage of students in school is inspiring in itself, but the statistic tells us quite a bit more. It says that TLP youth are motivated to succeed, and now perhaps for the very first time, they have comprehensive resources and caring support to help assure their success.

Keep up the great work!

Complete October 2007 E-newsletter

Youth News, September 2007

Youth Picnic with TLP Associates

What better way to spend one of the last Sunday afternoons of the summer than on a picnic? TLP Associates brought food and games to Belfort House on September 9. Youth and Associates enjoyed burgers on the grill, good conversation, games and more. "Hanging out with the youth is always such a great experience," says Michael Grant, president of the TLP Associates. "Our conversations are a great reminder of why Teen Living is so important."

Lawyers Give Youth Career Advice and Legal Info

TLP youth had an exciting opportunity in July, when the Supportive Services team brought attorneys from Wildman Harrold and the State’s Attorney’s Office for TLP’s legal panel. Youth asked questions about careers in law and the justice system. They also spent time interacting one-on-one with the attorneys, talking in more detail about their legal questions, but also just interacting with the lawyers, talking about things like where they grew up and what they liked to do.

"I think the youth learned how to network and talk professionally, and do things like ask for business cards," says TLP intern Alyssa Keel. "They also learned how to advocate for themselves, because if there was something they wanted to do, like ask a specific question or make a contact, they had to go and get it."

Thanks to Wildman Harrold and the State’s Attorney’s Office for sharing your expertise with TLP youth, and to TLP intern Alyssa Keel for organizing the event!

Complete September 2007 E-newsletter

Youth News, July 2007

TLP Congratulates June Graduates

At a time when she was "waking up to the realities of everything," Kym, 18, says TLP had a major impact on her life. "TLP motivated me more to hurry up and get what I got to do, done," Kym says. "They made me want to get more stable about my housing and schooling and work."

Kym came to Belfort House in February, due to family conflict. She graduated last month, and moved into an independent living program on June 20.

A major player in Kym’s journey toward independence: her Belfort House roommate. "I think we both inspired each other," Kym says. "We found a common ground. When we’d see we were playing around and not getting things done, we’d get on each other’s behind. We helped each other get focused."

Things weren’t always easy. "There were challenges," Kym says, "sometimes with peers, and sometimes with the journey of getting stuff done. Like you’re doing something, and something gets in the way." An optimist and a planner, Kym says she finds ways around obstacles. "I like to have a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C," she says. "If something goes wrong, I’ve got a back-up. And if something goes wrong again, I’ve got a back-up for the back-up."

Planning for her future, Kym is enrolling at Kennedy-King College to become a dental assistant. Her biggest hopes for the future: "That my son will be raised in a better environment and I can complete my schooling and get more stable independently."

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"I never thought I could get my own apartment," says Montra, 20. But on June 15, Montra moved into her own apartment through CaSSA, TLP’s independent living program.

Montra came to TLP last year. She stayed at Belfort House until February, when she decided to move in with family temporarily. "I liked the people - the staff, the clients. I was just ready to go out on my own," Montra says.

Through Shoulder-to-Shoulder, TLP’s after-care program, Montra kept working with her case manager on meeting her goals. "After-care was more my thing at the time. I wanted to continue with the programs, but not live on-site."

Staying involved with TLP through Shoulder-to-Shoulder also meant Montra would still be eligible for CaSSA. When a spot opened up, she applied, and was accepted in May.

Thinking about her future, Montra sees herself one day getting a master’s degree and becoming a film director. She brings her own story ideas to life by making storyboards. Horror movies, dramas and comedies are some of her favorites, and she especially enjoys children’s stories that have positive messages for kids.

"TLP had a major impact on me," says Montra. "It brought me places I thought I could never reach."

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TLP also congratulates Kortez, who graduated from Belfort House into an independent living program. Congratulations, Kortez!

Complete July 2007 E-newsletter