OCTOBER 2022
YEMBA Kicks Off 2022 - 2023 Program Year
Adult Mentor Hasani Cannon engages students in YEMBA's new Exploration Workshop focusing on his passion for art
YEMBA has an exciting year planned for our young participants. Programming for the Mentoring Empowerment Program (MEP) and Mentoring Empowerment Training (MET) programs started the first week of October. After-school programs will be offered two days each week at Brooks Middle School and at Julian Middle School.
We are inaugurating a new Exploration Workshop, which will give staff the opportunity to share with students their areas of expertise and interest. The first Exploration Workshop featured Hasani Cannon, a YEMBA alumnus and recent graduate of the University of Illinois-Springfield. Hasani discussed his interest in art and how it has shaped his life. Hasani, who is serving as an Adult Mentor this year, aspires to open his own community arts center.
In addition to the Exploration Workshop, programming continues to focus on homework help, sessions on life skills, financial literacy and substance abuse, and recreational opportunities.
Shout-out to our Adult Mentors
Mentors Cornick Harris and Kim Godfrey work with students at Julian MS
We couldn’t do what we do for youth without the commitment of our Adult Mentors. The Adult Mentors oversee our Junior Mentors, who, as current high school students, serve as role models for our middle school youth while receiving valuable leadership experience and life skills.
This year’s Adult Mentors include Kelly Jones, Dr. Raheem Young, Hasani Cannon, Kim Godfrey and Cornick Harris.
YEMBA Receives CCPHD grant
The Cook County Public Health Department has awarded YEMBA a $50,985 grant as part of its Building Healthy Communities in Suburban Cook County program. The grant will bolster YEMBA’s efforts to positively impact the development of local youth.
The Building Healthy Communities program is supported by the American Rescue Plan Act and is designed to lessen the health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19 and to reduce pandemic-related health disparities.
Board Member Leads Fundraising Effort
“I saw how impressed my kids were with YEMBA and, as a parent, you want to be involved in what makes your kids happy,” Crystal advised. “Aaliyah and Aaron were excited about the opportunity to impact younger students and the leadership skills that they were gaining.”
Both are now applying those leadership skills at Cornell University, where Aaliyah is majoring in government and Aaron is majoring in computer science. Her son Alan attends Morehouse College where he is majoring in communications and journalism.
As chair of YEMBA’s Fundraising Committee, Crystal launched several creative fundraising opportunities during the pandemic, including the Double Good Popcorn campaign, a take-out “Eat 2 Earn” partnership with local restaurants, a scooter raffle, an at-home wine tasting, and our popular Dark Matter Coffee campaign.
“I’m not afraid to ask for money,” Crystal laughed.
As a board member, Crystal would like to see YEMBA enhance its programming by including
arts programming and securing internships and scholarships for Junior Mentors.
“We need to expand our staff and budget so we can expand our scope. We also need to expand our board. This has been such a rewarding experience—I hope that others join us in the effort to make sure that our youth don’t fall through the cracks.”
If you are interested in joining the board, please contact Edward Redd at eredd@yemba-inc.org.
Helping YEMBA Grow
YEMBA gained an invaluable resource during Oak Park’s A Day in Our Village this summer. Kim Godfrey, a recently retired teacher and former marketing professional, met YEMBA Executive Director Edward Redd and was so impressed with his passion for the organization’s mission that she asked how she could be helpful.Since then, Kim has been serving as a management advisor, meeting with Edward on a weekly basis.
Kim also helped craft YEMBA’s new Exploration Workshop and is interested in teaching MEP students how to play chess and read music. She is also serving as an Adult Mentor throughout October and is identifying other potential Adult Mentors from her extensive local network.
An actively engaged member of the Oak Park community, Kim has served on the boards of Hephzibah Children’s Association, the Oak Park Area Arts Council, and the local Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. She also served as president of the Beye Elementary School PTO and chair of Oak Park River Forest High School’s Citizens’ Council.
Mr. Redd Participates in Leadership Program
Executive Director Edward Redd is participating in an intensive leadership program designed to build the capacities of small Black and Brown nonprofit organizations to ensure their success and sustainability. “The Anti-Racist Restorative Practice” program is provided through AMPT Chicago. Using a cohort model, the program involves participants in highly interactive sessions that meet monthly for several months. The program includes a $10,000 grant as well as 25 hours of executive coaching.
“It has been an honor to be involved in this program. It provides a great opportunity to work with colleagues who are dedicated to eliminating or lessening the impact of the systematic injustices that have plagued our village and society in general,” Edward said.
Dark Matter Coffee Campaign
With the holidays just around the corner, consider gifting your friends and family (and yourself!) delicious Dark Matter Coffee, while supporting YEMBA. Coffee bags designed by YEMBA graduate Hasani Cannon are available online through YEMBA’s website and at several retail sites in Oak Park, including the Daly Bagel, Carnival Grocery, Carnivore, Lively Athletics and Happy Apple Pie Shop. Coffee is available in whole bean or ground packages.
Thanks to a generous partnership with Chicago’s Dark Matter Coffee, proceeds benefit YEMBA.