JOIN THE ILLINOIS YOUTH POLICY COUNCIL

Illinois Youth Policy Council is a collective body of youth from across the state that will advocate, organize and create social change around sexual health education.

CLICK HERE for more details!

For more information or to find out how to get involved, contact Zahra Alabanza, Social Change Initiatives Manager at 312-427-4460 x239 or by email at zahra@icah.org.

CALLING ALL YOUNG PEOPLE!

Are you young, motivated, interested in creating change, and have GREAT ideas you want to share? Are you an activist, organizer, change agent, artist?  Or maybe you don’t call yourself anything, but you are down for young people and making a change in your life, community, city and state?

Then ICAH may be for you!

ICAH is a safe space for youth to advance their leadership and advocacy skills; educate the public, the media and policy makers about issues that are important to youth; gain new knowledge; make new friends; share ideas and talents; offer encouragement and support to other youth; and so much more. 

Get trained.  Become a leader.  Make a difference.
Here are just a few of the trainings offered at ICAH:

• Sexual Health 101
• Politics 101
• Lobbying Your Legislator
• Messaging: Getting Your Voice Heard
• Capturing the Attention of the Media
• How to Facilitate Effective Meetings
• Giving Effective Public Presentations
• Strategic Planning and Action

Don’t just talk about it, be about it!
Apply what you learn in these trainings outside of the classroom by participating in one or more of ICAH’s YOUTH ACTIVIST PROJECTS.  Youth activist projects are shaped and implemented by youth. ICAH staff do not lead these projects, they partner with youth and provide meeting space, support, guidance, and project-specific trainings, along with other resources to assist youth to achieve their goals and bring their projects to successful completion.

CURRENT YOUTH ACTIVIST PROJECTS

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Project
The HPV project is an exciting, innovative new project underway at ICAH! In their lifetimes, 80% of sexually active people will contract HPV. If you want to learn more about HPV, its effects, and how it can be prevented, then this is the project for you. This project will focus on efforts to educate and bring awareness to the public about HPV and the HPV Vaccine.

Be part of shaping this effort! Who do we need to educate?  What do we want them about HPV?  How will we reach them? ICAH needs young people who can help answer these questions.

For more information or to get involved in this project, contact Zahra Alabanza, Social Change Intiatives Manager, at (312) 427-4460 x239 or by email at zahra@icah.org.

Condom Access Project (CAP)
If you want to ensure that students at your school have access to condoms, then this is the project for you! The purpose of the Condom Access Project (CAP) is to increase student access to condoms in school health centers, nurses’ offices, counselors’ offices, or any other school setting. Not only do young people have a right to access condoms and other health resources in their schools, but having condoms available in schools leads to both an increase in condom use and a decrease in unintended pregnancies and STI’s among youth.

Currently, ICAH is seeking to collaborate with schools to establish their own individual campaigns for condom access. ICAH will provide training, resources, and support for a condom access project in your school. Do you know if students at your school have access to condoms?  Find out, and if not, do something to ensure that they do!

For more information or to get involved in this project, contact Kevin Brown, Youth Organizer, at (312) 427-4460 x236 or by email at kevin@icah.org.

Furthering Responsible Education Everywhere (FREE)
The FREE group is a citywide youth group composed of youth activists from around Chicago who are advocating for responsible approaches to sex education. FREE is responsible for the policy change in the Chicago Public School’s system policy change that now requires the teaching of responsible sex education that is age appropriate, medically-accurate, and inclusive of topics that are important to youth from all walks of life. You can download a copy of the policy here.

However, this policy is not yet implemented. FREE has been collaborating with students throughout CPS to work towards implementation of this policy.  Join in and be part of bringing responsible sex education to your school!

For more information or to get involved in this project, contact Kevin Brown, Youth Organizer, at (312) 427-4460 x 236 or by email at kevin@icah.org.

ACTION OUT LOUD!

Action Out Loud! is a week-long, action-packed, fun and exciting youth advocacy training camp designed for youth ages 14-20 who are interested in making their voices heard and creating social change in their lives and in their communities. During the week, you will get in-depth training on issues around adolescent sexual health, sex education, pregnant and parenting youth, and the reproductive justice movement. You will also develop skills to become active social change agents through participation in engaging workshops on organizing, message development, public speaking, power dynamics, media relations, strategy mapping, and much more. With the help of experienced adults and youth leaders, you will use everything you learn throughout the week to develop your own plans for action.

After Action Out Loud!, you can use the knowledge and skills you developed throughout the week by participating in any number of exciting and engaging project and job opportunities at ICAH. Do work you love on issues you are passionate about!

Apply now! Click here to download the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What will I get out of Action Out Loud!?
A: You will receive increased knowledge around adolescent sexual health, sex education, and pregnant and parenting youth issues and skills on how to create change in your life and in your community. You will also gain new friends, support, inspiration, and new ideas and strategies that you can put into action.

Q: Who can attend?
A: Youth ages 14-20 interested in social change and willing to make a six month commitment to volunteer their time to making social change.

Q: Where will Action Out Loud! take place?
A: Chicago, IL.

Q: Is it FREE?
A: YES, Action Out Loud! is FREE for all participants. Breakfast, lunch and materials will be provided.

Q: What if I want to be more than a participant?
A: You can sign up to be a youth leader and partner with us to plan and lead workshops and activities.

WANT TO PARTNER WITH US TO PLAN AND LEAD WORKSHOPS???

Youth leaders are important to the success of Action Out Loud! Without them, Action Out Loud! would not be what it is. They partner with ICAH staff to create the ultimate Action Out Loud! experience: a fun, engaging, empowering and inspirational five days! Youth leaders will be responsible for:

• Assisting with recruitment of youth participants
• Creating fun activities
• Planning Action Out Loud! workshops
• Leading Action Out Loud! workshops
• Assisting with logistical tasks

For more information or to find out how to get involved, contact Zahra Alabanza, Social Change Initiatives Manager at 312-427-4460 x239 or by email at zahra@icah.org.

YOUNG PARENT ALLIANCE (YPA)

The Young Parent Alliance (YPA) is an alliance of youth including pregnant and parenting youth who are working to ensure that the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) offer the educational and supportive services necessary to help pregnant and parenting youth successfully complete their education. YPA works towards eliminating barriers that pregnant and parenting youth face not only in their schools but also their communities. YPA is a safe space for exchanging ideas to address the discrimination that pregnant and parenting youth experience, dispelling myths about pregnant and parenting youth, increasing public awareness of the barriers that these youth encounter, and creating coalitions to support YPA efforts.

WHO can be a member of YPA?

ICAH’s YPA is open to pregnant and parenting youth and youth who are interested in working towards the elimination of obstacles pregnant and parenting youth face in completing their high school education. Interested members should be age 20 and under. Both young women and men are encouraged to join!

WHAT can ICAH offer you as a member of YPA?

1. Leadership and advocacy training.
2. Additional trainings and workshops that will assist members to accomplish YPA goals.
3. A safe space to discuss and work towards resolving barriers that pregnant and parenting youth encounter.
4. Support in creating change around the barriers and issues encountered by pregnant and parenting youth in CPS and in their communities.
5. While in attendance at meetings, ICAH provides a child care stipend, a meal and bus cards for your travels.

Currently, the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH) is seeking pregnant and parenting youth and their allies, age 20 and under, who are interested in making positive changes around issues and barriers that pregnant and parenting youth face.

For more information or to find out how to get involved, contact Zahra Alabanza, Social Change Initiatives Manager at 312-427-4460 x239 or by email at zahra@icah.org.

RESOURCES FOR YOUTH

Illinois Consent and Confidentiality Laws Fact Sheet
School Health Centers
Parent's Rights Bus Card

Young Parents Take Action

Members of ICAH's Young Parent Alliance have been speaking out on several issues including HIV prevention funding and the needs of pregnant and parenting youth in schools.

Recently, a member of ICAH's Young Parent Alliance testified before the Chicago City Council on the importance of increasing HIV prevention funding. Read her testimony.

Additionally, 30 young parents from Simpson Academy sent letters to their Aldermen in support of the funding increase. Read the full fact sheet.