Last summer, United Way launched the implementation phase of the African American Initiative (AAI), a program designed to help young African American males transition successfully to adulthood. United Way is investing $1.9 million in the implementation of these community activities.

Since their selection, the five agency partners who are participating in the initiative have been hard at work implementing their programs. In Englewood, Team Englewood is working on conflict resolution programs and student achievement. In Grand Boulevard, Centers for New Horizons is organizing youth to become leaders in their community. In Greater Roseland, Metropolitan Family Services is working on a unique family group mentoring initiative. In North Lawndale, Lawndale Christian Health Center and Young Men’s Educational Network (YMEN) are working on a comprehensive mentoring program for young men. In Rogers Park, Organization of the Northeast is mobilizing community stakeholders around specific issues that affect youth.

All five agency partners will conduct mid-year reports early this spring. Volunteers will evaluate the progress that programs are making and how well they are meeting their goals. The final phase of the Initiative, scheduled for 2009, is to evaluate and measure the outcomes for all participating young boys in the program, as well as the development of a sustainability plan to continue these community-wide activities through partnerships and corporate support.

View the newest AAI video on Google Videos.
Read more about AAI here.