Urban Solutions

Urban Solutions is on the move!!

In June, Urban Solutions (US) & Ruggles Elementary School began the first phase of a very meaningful & long term partnership between the two organizations. The partnership has been developed around a US program entitled LISTEN! LISTEN! is a after school restorative practice training program for middle school students in an effort to establish them as youth leaders and Peace Ambassadors in their perspective schools in the 2012 – 2013 school year. By incorporating this program in Ruggles and other elementary schools in the US service area, US will work to reduce misbehavior, bullying, violence and crime among students and improve the overall learning climate in these schools.

The recent revision of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Student Code of Conduct provides “additional options” for principals and teachers when considering consequences for student misbehaviors and encourages the use of restorative practice programs. LISTEN! provides youth with an opportunity to participate in restorative practices which use the principles of restorative justice such as relationship building, and holding each other accountable for harm, rather than simply being punished for rules or laws broken. US strongly believes that youth desperately need an atmosphere where they can create their own safe environment and learn constructive conflict resolution skills that can empower them to manage anger and resolve conflict in a manner that shares responsibility for outcomes; generates constructive relationships; enhances respect and understanding among all involved; and fosters enduring innovative solutions. After eighteen years of gainful experience with at-risk youth, US recognizes that this program is essential in giving our youth a voice in repairing the harm between each other and reduce the escalating violence in these communities.

US, formerly, Urban Merchants Assistance Corporation, Inc. (UMAC) is a not-for-profit organization established in 1994. Our mission supports the development of at-risk youth by providing training and support resources designed to strengthen their academic, leadership and life skills, in an effort to establish a foundation for long term systemic change. All US programs are designed to:

Ø   build and improve current academic & non academic skills of program participants

Ø   develop constructive, long term empowerment skills                            

Ø   build youth leadership

Since its inception, US has served more than 2200 youth. Annually, US serves 200 youth ages 8 – 19 years old who attend traditional, alternative, small and charter schools located in the following Chicago neighborhoods: Kenwood/Oakland/Grand Blvd., Greater Grand Crossing, Woodlawn, Avalon Park, Auburn-Gresham, Washington Park, Douglas Park, Chatham, and Englewood.

Other US programs include: Pathways to Excellence @ St. Dorothy Elementary School, Faces of Youth Empowerment; and CINEMA! Digital Photography and Filmmaking.