NOVEMBER 2022
Workshop Promotes
Positive Self-Image
Self-image and self-confidence are critical aspects of the middle school experience as students are starting to explore and define their identity in relation to their peers. In our workshop series on self-image, mentees took part in a project designed to promote positive self-talk where each youth created a personalized mirror with affirmations and motivations.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
“The background of my mirror is black to represent a black hole. When I look in the mirror and read the words of affirmation, it gives me the confidence and strength I need to pull myself out of the black hole.”
Makhy Reed
6th Grader at Julian Middle School
Introducing Program Director Deborah Goodwill
YEMBA is pleased to welcome Deborah Goodwill as our new program director. Deborah comes with a wealth of experience serving with social service agencies and working with young people. Her responsibilities will include supervising YEMBA’s interns, creating curriculum and facilitating staff training.
“I’m excited to join YEMBA and I look forward to working with our Black and Brown families to increase our visibility in the community. I’m also interested in engaging with community partners such as the universities and churches to move us forward. YEMBA is in a building stage and I’m excited about helping the organization’s progress,” said Deborah.
Deborah received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree in social work from Boston College. She also has a postgraduate certificate in marriage and family therapy from the Family Institute at Northwestern University. Her career has included work with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, the Kenneth Young Center, and Mercy Housing Lakefront Chicago.
“I enjoy working with youth and finding out their individual stories. There is a reason youth come to YEMBA after school. We provide a sense of security and belonging. When we engage with youth, there is usually an “aha moment” when we discover how to best meet their needs and forestall a crisis,” Deborah said.
YEMBA Receives $200,000 IDHS Grant
With the support of Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, YEMBA has received a $200,000 Special Appropriations Grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). YEMBA will be part of a collaboration of four organizations under the leadership of the Alternative Schools Network (ASN).
Founded in 1973, ASN is a membership-based organization comprised of 43 nonprofits, independent and self-governing alternative schools as well as youth and adult education organizations focused on engaging more than 3,500 Chicago area underserved and marginalized groups each year.
YEMBA received the funding because of our reputation for providing successful mentoring, employment and leadership development programs for youth.
Dominican University Intern Ingrid Bustos
Ingrid Bustos, a sophomore at Dominican University, is helping with our mentoring programs this semester. Ingrid is majoring in history and secondary education, and is involved in Dominican’s Ministry en lo Cotidiano, an internship program that places students with social service agencies. As a Schmitt Scholar, she is working on a project at her alma mater, Taft High School, that encourages undocumented and first-generation high school students to attend college.
After graduation, Ingrid plans to teach history at the high school level and work with students interested in social justice issues.
“I’ve always had an affinity for history. I think it’s important to study history so we don’t make the same mistakes. It’s empowering to learn how things have changed over time. It makes you feel not alone to know that other people in the past have had the same hopes and dreams for the future that you have,” Ingrid said.