Youth & Young Adult

If you wish to assess your eligibility for benefits or require assistance with benefit applications, complete the Youth and Young Adult Division referral form to schedule an intake session.

Different benefits that will be explored during your intake include:

• Access Evanston Program
• SNAP Benefits
• Affordable Water/Sewer Rate Program
• Medicare/Medicaid
• Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP)
• Housing Choice Voucher Program
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) — Utility bill assistance

• Evanston’s Emergency or General Assistance Program

Individuals with a conviction history may qualify for the Certificate of Rehabilitation, which helps overcome statutory barriers to jobs, licenses, and employment. This involves connecting them with the right organizations, aiding in obtaining necessary documentation, and providing a supportive system throughout the process.

To determine eligibility for a Certificate of Rehabilitation, start by completing the Youth and Young Adult Division referral form. Upon submission, someone will reach out to initiate the process.

The Youth and Family Services Division consists of trained circle keepers, enabling conflict resolution through a restorative approach. Serving as a neutral third party, the YYA team can aid in resolving a range of issues and conflicts within the community. Situations where you might seek assistance from the YYA team for conflict resolution include, but are not limited to,

•  Conflict between youth inside of District 65 or 202
• Conflict within your own family
• Multifamily mediation

If you are currently experiencing a conflict with another individual and would like assistance in coming to a solution, please fill out the Youth and Young Adult Division referral form.

Outreach Workers from the Youth and Young Adult Division can help address a range of your employment and career exploration needs. Some support services offered include:

• Resume writing
• Employment seeking
• Job application assistance
• Interview preparation
• Apprenticeship program exploration
• Certificate based program enrollment assistance

If you are in need of employment assistance, please fill out the Youth and Young Adult referral form.

The Youth and Family Services Division collaborates with Evanston-based organizations to provide family wrap-around services. This youth-guided and family-driven process involves community-based organizations in supporting families to achieve their goals.

If you are interested in having a family-wrap around, or you would like to refer a family, please fill out the Youth and Young Adult Division referral form.

The Youth andFamily Services Division organizes life-skills groups for middle-school students at Nichols Middle School, Haven Middle School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School, and Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies. These groups focus on a different topic each week, addressing various life skills. The topics covered in the group include:

• Respect (selves/others/space)
• Violence intervention
• Goal setting
• Social media
• Leadership/self-esteem
• Social/emotional empowerment
• Conflict resolution
• Peer pressure and bullying

If you are a student and would like to sign up, please have a parent or guardian fill out the student registration form.

If you are a school interested in having the Youth and Family Services team facilitate a life-skills group, or are a parent wanting to receive more information, please email or call.

Life Skills Groups 2023-2024

Beginning in 1992, the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP) has provided skills and workforce opportunities year-round for thousands of Evanston youth ages 14-18. The program gives participating youth up to nine weeks of entry level work experience in a variety of jobs & industries through community based organizations, city government departments, and private sector businesses. 

This year, to enhance the hiring experience for youth and employers, the City will host its job fair well in advance of summer, allowing participants to secure summer employment early. The job fair will take place:

Saturday, February 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main St.

Participants must register in advance to take part in the job fair by February 9, 2024.

The City of Evanston's restorative justice emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior. The restorative justice program brings together those most affected by the criminal offense, the justice involved youth, the victim, and community members in a non-adversarial process to encourage accountability and to meet the needs of the victims and the community in repairing the damage that resulted from the crime.

 A key element of our restorative justice program includes:

1. the justice-involved youth taking responsibility for his or her actions
   
   
2. a dialogue between the justice involved youth and the victim, and
   
   
3. the justice involved youth performing an action to repair the harm caused by the offense.

The program involves multiple approaches, including mediation between the victim and person committing the offense, participating in community service, family group conferences, and peacemaking circles. The program targets a variety of youths, including low-risk youths, youths who were diverted from formal system processing, and youths who have committed their first offenses. The process takes place within or outside the juvenile justice system, such as school and community agencies.

The Youth and Family Services Division has collaborated with multiple organizations offering substance use counseling and/or treatment. If you, a family member, or someone you are assisting seeks assistance, complete the Youth and Young Adult Division referral form. A member of the Youth and Family Services team will reach out to you within 2 business days.

If you would like immediate assistance, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Hotline at 800-662-4357.

 Free nightly activities will be provided in a safe, judgment-free zone by Evanston Collective as well as other area organizations and partners. These activities will be a balance of both fun and enrichment.

The 2023-2024 school rear drop-in center schedule is as follows:

High School Youth:
Monday-Friday 4:30-8:30PM at Gibbs Morrison (1823 Church St.)
& Friday 6:00-9:00PM at Robert Crown (1801 Main St.).

Middle School Youth:
Monday-Thursday 3:30-7:30PM at Robert Crown (1801 Main St.) & Friday 3:30-9:00PM

To sign up, fill out the 2023-2024 School Year Drop-in Center Registration.