Driven and Empowered Youth, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) educational organization located in the Northwest Side of Chicago. Our mission is, “to provide youth and families educational services and access to resources that will empower them to improve their present and future socio-emotional and socio-economic conditions.” During he lat four years, though funding from the Illinois State Board of Education, 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant; Driven and Empowered Youth, Inc. has been able to provide quality after-school programs to students attending: Amundsen, Foreman, Kelvyn Park, Mather, Senn, Steinmetz and Sullivan High Schools.

Through this grant, over 2,100 low-income, at-risk youth have been able to receive tutoring, homework assistance, mentoring and innovative arts programming. Furthermore, this after-school program has empowered youth ages 14-19 with the resources need to make academic improvements while decreasing at-risk behaviors. At this time, the Illinois State Board of Education has released a Request for Proposal for the 21st Century Community Leaning Centers Gran, for which Driven and Empowered Youth, Inc. will be applying for. The goal is for students attending Roosevelt High School to have access to an after-school learning center as described above in their community. An after-school program that will inspire students to take ownership of their future. If you are interested in helping Driven and Empowered Youth, Inc. to empower your local youth through a possible partnership, volunteer work and/or make a donation to a local learning center visit www.deyinc.org or email kellycirino@deyinc.org.