Resources

4-H

Illinois 4-H prepares youth to solve Illinois' problems by producing the leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, stewards, and builders we need. 4-H builds good leaders by giving them safe environments to practice all the skills needed to be successful leaders. 

Alternative to Asset Program 

Alternative to Asset that has been introduced to students in alternative education in Springfield, IL as a form of social and emotional learning.  This program helps students view their problems as just tough challenges they can overcome. The program provides an outlet for students to share their stories, not be judged and heard as a source of healing. This is also an outreach through Southern Illinois School of Medicine to impact the unique aspect is that medical students are involved and gaining new insights. These young people are assets not challenges that we must enhance. 

Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois

The Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois inspires and enables all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.

Compass for Kids

Compass for Kids is a not-for-profit organization changing the landscape of the local Springfield community. Through innovative after-school and summer programs, we provide resources and support to underserved children in Springfield Public Schools – District 186.

Delta Gems (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.)

The Delta GEMS program offers a road map for college and career planning through activities that provide opportunities for self-reflection and individual growth. Delta GEMS, like Delta Academy, is implemented by chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Delta GEMS participants have the opportunity to define and “Discover their individual Brilliance.” 

Garvey Tubman Center

The mission of the Garvey Tubman Cultural Arts and Research Center (GTCARC) is to provide services of interest in the African American community sharing a viable support system that speaks to the community’s educational, emotional and cultural needs by providing high quality, child friendly, and relevant subject matter

Hanson Engineer

Hanson Engineer is made up of everyday people — your friends, neighbors, colleagues and biggest supporters — who see the potential in people, plans and projects. We’re a company with a beating heart. And we’re led by a dynamic, diverse and inclusive senior leadership team that is committed to providing proven results for our clients, employees and communities. We all win when we all win!
*An array of programs for young people 
 

Illinois Freedom Project

The Illinois Freedom Project "a new birth of freedom" is a youth-focused project that will provide resources to teach the interconnected story of slavery to freedom through the lens of people, places and events in Illinois from eighteenth-century French settlements through early twentieth-century Chicago.

Innovate Springfield

Innovate Springfield is a catalyst for creating a collaborative space and community where ideas ignite, businesses incubate, and social changemakers and entrepreneurs innovate.

Kidzeum

Kidzeum provides an enriching experience that addresses relevant and meaningful issues that are critical to the health and happiness of children and their families. The hands-on, multi-layer learning engagements within the galleries help to educate and entertain visitors of all ages help them and address critical issues related to health and science.

Lincoln Land Community College: College for Kids

LLCC’s College for Kids offers a variety of fun, enrichment activities for youth who have completed grades K-8. Classes are updated throughout the year.

MEDPREP

The Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program (MEDPREP) is a long running, nationally renowned post-baccalaureate academic enhancement program. MEDPREP was established in 1972 by the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, and has helped more than 1,000 students successfully matriculate into medical or dental schools. MEDPREP helps educationally and/or economically disadvantaged students, preparing them to achieve success in the health professions. The program operates on a year-round basis, beginning in June of each year. Students complete the program in five semesters (summer, fall and spring in their first year; fall and spring in their second year). MEDPREP is located on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois

Sangamon CEO

The Sangamon CEO program is a high school and college-level accredited program that connects students to business and community leaders and allows them to experience the challenges and rewards of running a business. The program is a collaboration between businesses and school districts in Sangamon County and uses a competitive application process.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Sigma Beta Club (Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.)

Sigma Beta Clubs all across the country have mentored thousands of young men since 1950. Participants learn the importance of servicing others and establishing lifelong friendships, as well as the enhancement of meaningful educational and professional opportunities. Our motto is, “The Next Generation of Leaders Accepting the Responsibility and Loving the Challenge.” Our Sigma Beta Club members are committed to living out its meaning each and every day.     

Springfield Frontiers International

Frontiers International, Inc. is a national, non-profit, non-sectarian service organization headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Frontiers members are called “Yokefellows”, the term originating from the oxen bearing the burden of hard work through the yoke it wears. The membership consists of men and women of character from all segments of their local communities who share a common desire to make a difference. 

Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network

Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network (SIAN) is a grassroots advocacy organization that protects the rights and promotes the well-being and inclusion of Springfield’s immigrant and refugee community through advocacy, education, and assistance.

Springfield Urban League

The mission of the Springfield Urban League is to assist struggling and disadvantaged individuals to achieve social and economic self-sufficiency.
*An array of programs for young people 

The L.Y.N.C: Leading Youth-Networking Communities

The mission of The LYNC is to enhance and transform the lives of all children by instilling youth with the resources and tools to lead and empower their communities and obtain higher heights. A youth-led organization, The Lync strives for excellence through leadership, service, passion, and most of all love.

The Matthew Project

The Matthew Project provides clothing, food, tutoring, mentoring and life skills classes to District 186 homeless children. The Matthew Project activities will take place at project facilities located at 622 South 8th Street, Springfield, Illinois. The Matthew Project is a not-for-profit afterschool program available to identified/referred homeless children in District 186. The children will receive a healthy snack, one-on-one tutoring for 45 minutes and participate in a life skills activity. 

The Outlet

The Outlet helps ease the emotional, educational, and spiritual passage from boyhood to manhood.

YMCA

The YMCA believes that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That’s why, through the Y, millions of youth today are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement.

Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.)

YLI is a youth-led and highly interactive leadership development program designed to empower and engage youth, ages 11-13.