www.negociosnow.com
4 February 2017
Site Director of Youth Opportunities
Unlimited, Casa Central
Rosy Aguilar has directed
Casa Central's Youth Opportu-
nities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) after-
school program since 2011, and
thanks to her passion and lea-
dership, the program has thrived
during a challenging time.
Over the last several years,
many local after-school pro-
grams in the already underser-
ved neighborhood of Humboldt
Park have closed or reduced
services due to lack of funding
and difficulties in maintaining
enrollment. Anticipating simi-
lar challenges at Y.O.U., Aguilar
began redesigning the program
using evidence-based models
and her first-hand understan-
ding of the needs of local high
school youth.
In early 2014 the new pro-
gram model launched with a
strong emphasis on academic
improvement and post-secon-
dary college and career prepara-
tion through a variety of structu-
red activities. Despite beginning
recruitment in the middle of one
of Chicago's worst winters, the
program quickly reached full en-
rollment and has maintained it
ever since.
Since 2014 the program has
grown from serving 60 young
people per year to more than 300,
offering tutoring, paid apprenti-
ceships, and a service learning-
based leadership curriculum.
During this same time, the ave-
rage GPA of participants who at-
tended at least 50 percent of tuto-
ring sessions has increased from
2.8 to 3.07, and Y.O.U. has begun
partnering with several respected
national organizations.
By working with youth to
improve their leadership, acade-
mics, and soft skills, Y.O.U. and
Aguilar are able to better prepa-
re students for post-secondary
education, creating a brighter
future for Chicago's underserved
youth.
Rosa Ivette Aguilar, 32
Youth leadership guru
"B
elieve in your inner strength
and share it with the world
to make positive contributions!"
