MARCH 2026
YEMBA proudly celebrates Women’s History Month by honoring the achievements of women, past and present, while empowering the next generation of innovators, educators, and leaders.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Beyond Hunger Brings Hands-On Healthy Cooking to YEMBA Students
In February, our MEP students welcomed educators from Beyond Hunger for a fun, hands-on lesson about healthy eating. Students learned about nutritious ingredients and worked together to make their own fresh hummus while exploring simple ways to build healthy habits.
“Eating well on a budget can be a challenge. High calorie, fast foods are often cheap and readily available. Our goal is to provide families with the knowledge and skills to stretch food budgets further while eating food that tastes good and is good for you.”
Learn more about Beyond Hunger and how they are helping families in our community!
UPCOMING EVENT
LET’S PARTY LIKE IT’S Y2K!
🛼✨ Step back into the 2000s for a night of family fun! ✨🛼
Join us for Family Skate Night at Fleetwood Roller Rink for a nostalgic, Y2K-themed fundraiser you don’t want to miss! 💿🎮📟
📍 7231 W Archer Ave, Summit, IL 60501
📅 Thursday, April 2
⏰ 6:30PM – 8:30PM
Throw it back to the early 2000s with your best Y2K fit, grab a glow stick, and support our mission! Proceeds help us to continue to empower youth in our community.
🎟 Admission (includes skate rental):
$30 – Adults
$15 – Youth (under 18 with parent/guardian)
Price increases at the door!
Grab your friends, bring the whole family, and let’s skate for a purpose! 🛼🔥
🎟 Get your tickets now: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/y68FuJnGnh8aJ2UK57X4BQ
EVENT RECAP
Thank you to everyone who came out to February’s Soup & Bread to support YEMBA!
Thank you to Bobby’s Eastside for having us as the recipient for last month!
We are so grateful to everyone who came out, shared a meal, and supported YEMBA. Your generosity, donations, and presence truly make a difference in the lives of those we serve! One of our student ambassadors, Mehki, had the opportunity to speak to the community and share his story about how YEMBA helped him navigate the transition to high school and continues to support his growth.
It was incredible to see our community come together around good food and an even greater cause. Thank you for helping us continue the mission and for standing with us!
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
Applications for our Summer Empowerment Programs are OPEN! Students transitioning to 6th and 9th grade can participate in one of our FREE programs! You can find our sign-up links below. Feel free to contact programs@yemba-inc.org for more info!
LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Executive Director on the Move for YEMBA
Last month, our Executive Director, Ed Redd, represented YEMBA across several inspiring community events, continuing to expand our reach and strengthen partnerships that support young people. From connecting with leaders at the ASN Youth Education & Employment Summit, to engaging in meaningful dialogue at BUILD Chicago’s Black Table Luncheon, to building new relationships during Hoyne Savings Bank Nonprofit Night at the Blackhawks Game, Ed showed what mission-driven leadership looks like in action.
These opportunities allowed Ed to network with fellow nonprofit leaders, community partners, and supporters who share a commitment to youth opportunity. Most importantly, he proudly shared the mission of YEMBA while demonstrating the collaborative spirit that drives our work forward. We’re grateful for Ed’s continued leadership and for the many partners who are helping us grow the impact of YEMBA in our community.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR VENDORS, SPONSORS, AND DONORS!
Join us on March 14th at The Daly Bagel! We will have YEMBA merch and our limited edition Dark Matter coffee available for purchase! Come by and support our youth!
And a special thank you to our long-standing vendors in the community who have supported YEMBA’s networking & fundraising efforts through coffee pop-up socials — events that have helped us connect with community members and share our story and mission throughout Oak Park!
THANK YOU Pete’s Fresh Market (259 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60302) for your generous snack donation last month! Because of your support, students in our programs were able to enjoy healthy snacks while learning and spending time together. We truly appreciate your commitment to supporting local youth and our community!
