Love Unity & Values Institute

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE HOPE AND EMPOWER UNDERSERVED YOUTH WITH ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, WHILE BUILDING RESILIENCY AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL COMPETENCIES.

THE JOURNEY TO MY BETTER SELF ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM (J2MBS-EP) IS A PROGRAM FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, AGES 16 TO 24, INTERESTED IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP. THE PROGRAM HELPS THEM LEARN CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND EXPLORE THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP. THROUGH ROLE-PLAYING, MODELING, REFLECTIVE EXERCISES, AND SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, PARTICIPANTS LEARN HOW TO PUT INTO ACTION AND PRACTICE LIFE-ENHANCING SKILLS TO HELP THEM CREATE THE TYPE OF LIFE THEY DESIRE AND DREAM OF. STUDENTS WILL CREATE A PRODUCT THAT WILL BE SOLD IN POP-UP STORES AND KIOSKS. WITH A FOCUS ON LITERACY THROUGH WRITING, A COMPREHENSIVE LEARNING PROGRAM HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO ASK QUESTIONS, READ AND DEVELOP MEANINGFUL WAYS TO RESEARCH ANSWERS AND INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY TO COMMUNICATE THEIR FINDINGS. FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, J2MBS-EP STUDENTS HAVE CREATED LIVE CHRISTMAS WREATHS, WHICH THEY SOURCE, MARKET, MANUFACTURE, AND SELL. CALLED WREATHS OF LUV, STUDENTS OPERATE POP-UP STORES AND KIOSKS TO INTRODUCE THEIR WREATHS TO THE PUBLIC. THEIR WREATHS WERE SOLD IN MACY'S ON STATE STREET AND HAVE ADORNED LIGHT POSTS IN THE WOODLAWN, WASHINGTON PARK, AND KENWOOD NEIGHBORHOODS.THE JOURNEY TO MY BETTER SELF AFTER-SCHOOL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (J2MBS-AEP) IS AN INNOVATIVE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, WHICH FOCUSES ON BASIC LITERACY, ARTISTIC EXPRESSION, AND WELLNESS (LAW). ALL OF THE EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO PROMOTE IMPROVED ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT; ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLES; PROVIDE CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND TEAM-BUILDING STRATEGIES; DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS WITH PARENTS AND FAMILIES TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT; FOSTER ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT, AND EMPOWER STUDENTS TO BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS THROUGH SERVICE AND MENTORSHIP. THROUGH ROLE-PLAYING, MODELING, REFLECTIVE EXERCISES, AND SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, PARTICIPANTS LEARN HOW TO PUT INTO ACTION AND PRACTICE LIFE-ENHANCING SKILLS TO HELP THEM CREATE THE TYPE OF LIFE THEY DESIRE AND DREAM OF. STUDENTS WILL CREATE A MOSAIC OR ART STRUCTURE THAT WILL REFLECT THE LEGACY OF THE SCHOOL'S VALUES AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE. WITH A FOCUS ON LITERACY THROUGH WRITING, A COMPREHENSIVE LEARNING PROGRAM HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO ASK QUESTIONS, READ AND DEVELOP MEANINGFUL WAYS TO RESEARCH ANSWERS AND INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY TO COMMUNICATE THEIR FINDINGS.THE JOURNEY TO MY BETTER SELF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION PROGRAM (J2MBS-ARTEP) HELPS ACADEMICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED STUDENTS MANAGE THEIR EMOTIONS, INTERPRET SELF AND NAVIGATE THEIR SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT BY TRANSLATING THEIR EXPERIENCES INTO A MIXED MEDIA MOSAIC. USING RESTORATIVE PRACTICE (CIRCLE PROCESSES) TO FACILITATE ROLE-PLAYING, MODELING, REFLECTIVE EXERCISES, AND SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, THE MOSAIC PROVIDES EXTENDED PARTICIPATORY LEARNING, WHICH ENGAGES STUDENTS WITH THE HELP OF ACCOMPLISHED ARTISTS AND EDUCATORS. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN ENGAGING AND MEANINGFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT WILL PREPARE STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO APPLY LEARNING SKILLS ACROSS ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES, RECOGNIZE AND INVESTIGATE PROBLEMS, EXPRESS AND INTERPRET INFORMATION THROUGH VISUAL ARTS, LEARN TO WORK INDIVIDUALLY AND AS PART OF A GROUP AND MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH HOW VISUAL ARTS REFLECT HISTORY, CULTURE, SOCIETY AND EVERYDAY LIFE. THIS PROGRAM CULMINATES WITH CREATING A GROUP MOSAIC THAT REPRESENTS STUDENT VALUES, IDEAS, AND CREATIVITY.THE JOURNEY TO MY BETTER SELF MEDIA EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (J2MBS-MEP) IS A CAREER READINESS JOURNALISM PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, AGES 14 TO 18, FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS (ASM), STUDENTS CREATE AND PUBLISH AN ONLINE MAGAZINE AND PRODUCE THEIR TELEVISION SHOW USING THE MONIKER STRONG, WISE AND YOUNG (SWAY-TV). ADDITIONALLY, CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS, CAREER INTEREST WORKSHOPS, FIELD TRIPS, INTERVIEWS WITH CAREER PROFESSIONALS ILLUMINATE THE STUDENTS' EXPERIENCES IN STARTING THEIR ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES.THE JOURNEY TO MY BETTER SELF COLLEGE EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (J2MBS-CEP) INVENTORY'S A STUDENT'S NATURAL TALENT BY HELPING TO IDENTIFY AN ACADEMIC FOCUS, HIGH-SKILLED OCCUPATIONS RELATED TO THAT FOCUS, AND INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT WOULD BEST FIT EACH PARTICIPANT. THE PROGRAM PREPARES FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS NEEDED TO INCREASE THEIR ACADEMICS, BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR PROFESSORS, JOIN STUDY GROUPS, PARTICIPATE IN CAMPUS ACTIVITIES, AND NETWORK WITH ALUMNI. FINALLY, WE PAIR FRESHMEN WITH MENTORS WHO ARE ALREADY ADVANCED IN THEIR AREAS OF INTEREST TO HELP GUIDE STUDENTS THROUGH FEELINGS OF ESTRANGEMENT, ACADEMIC GAPS, AND OPPORTUNITIES SO THAT STUDENTS CAN FOCUS ON COMPLETING COLLEGE AND FINDING A SUSTAINABLE CAREER WHEN THEY GRADUATE. IN ADDITION, AN ONLINE SYSTEM ALLOWS EACH PARTICIPANT TO ACCESS RESOURCES, MENTORING, COACHING, AND ONGOING SUPPORT TO HELP THEM COMPLETE COLLEGE. THE EVALUATION CRITERIA INCLUDE PROGRAM ATTENDANCE, KNOWLEDGE GAINS, INCREASED GRADES, ACHIEVEMENT TESTS, IMPROVED ATTITUDE AND MOTIVATION TOWARDS COLLEGE, AND IMPROVED CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS. AFTER THE PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE THE SKILL-SET, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE TO BETTER PREPARE THEM FOR TODAY'S WORKFORCE.THE JOURNEY TO MY BETTER SELF CAREER ACADEMY (J2MBS-CA) PREPARES AT-RISK 9TH THROUGH 12TH-GRADE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS, AGES 18 TO 24, TO BE JOB-READY FOR ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT IN HIGH-GROWTH INDUSTRIES AND OCCUPATIONS. THE ACADEMY'S CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND SKILLS COURSES COMBINE ACADEMIC, CAREER, AND TECHNICAL CURRICULA TO ENRICH TEACHING AND LEARNING AND FOCUS ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM), MANUFACTURING, AND EDUCATION. STARTING WITH SMALL LEARNING COMMUNITIES, THE ACADEMY CREATES A SUPPORTIVE, PERSONALIZED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS WHERE TEACHERS, CAREER AND COLLEGE COUNSELORS, PARENTS, AND EMPLOYERS COLLABORATE TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESS OF EACH STUDENT IN THE PROGRAM. SECONDLY, THE ACADEMY'S CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND SOFT SKILLS COURSES COMBINE ACADEMIC, CAREER AND TECHNICAL CURRICULA FOCUSED ON CAREER THEMES IN STEM, MANUFACTURING, FINANCE, HEALTH CARE, AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ENRICH TEACHING AND LEARNING. NEXT, IT LEVERAGES ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SOUTH EAST CHICAGO COMMISSION, A CONSORTIUM OF EMPLOYERS MADE UP OF 1300 LOCAL BUSINESSES, TO PROVIDE CAREER AWARENESS AND WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO ITS PARTICIPANTS. IT ALSO PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH INDIVIDUALIZED CAREER AND ACADEMIC COUNSELING EXPERIENCES TO STRENGTHEN CAREER AND POST-SECONDARY AWARENESS AND EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL. FINALLY, IT WORKS WITH CHICAGO COOK WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP AND CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO TO PREPARE PROGRAM GRADUATES WITH DUAL ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAINING WHILE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL. THIS PROGRAM LEADS TO CREDIT TOWARD A POST-SECONDARY DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE. THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE ACADEMY IS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE, PROVIDE THEM WITH CAREER-RELATED LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT WILL MAKE THEM MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE LABOR MARKET, AND ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO DEVELOP HIGHER ASPIRATIONS FOR EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT.LUV RESTORATIVE PRACTICE (CIRCLE KEEPER) TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION IS DESIGNED FOR INDIVIDUALS (I.E., HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTORS, EDUCATORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, ETC.) INTERESTED IN CREATING AND FACILITATING RESTORATIVE PRACTICES TO IMPROVE COOPERATION AND PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE, CLASSROOM, AND COMMUNITY. THE THREE-DAY, TRAIN-THE-TRAINER MODEL INCORPORATES HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES WITH HIGH LEVELS OF ENGAGEMENT. AS A RESULT, THE RESTORATIVE PRACTICE CERTIFICATION TRAINING PREPARES FUTURE FACILITATORS TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE THAT HELPS TO RESTORE THE INTEGRITY AND CONNECTEDNESS OF THE "COMMUNITY" WHEN UPSETTING BEHAVIORS CHALLENGE IT. THUS, THE CERTIFICATION EQUIPS PARTICIPANTS WITH THE SKILLS TO LEAD CONVERSATIONS IN THEIR WORKPLACES, IN THEIR SCHOOLS, AND NEIGHBORHOODS, WHICH CULTIVATE RESPECT FOR DIFFERENCES, REDUCE BULLYING, HELP REPAIR HARM, AND BUILD COMMUNITY.LUV RESTORATIVE PRACTICE TRAINING IS A ONE-DAY, SIX-HOUR INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON THE INTEGRATION OF RESTORATIVE PRACTICES TO PROVIDE A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUPPORTING POSITIVE TEAM RELATIONSHIPS AND CREATE AN ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FOR ADDRESSING CONFLICTS WHEN THEY ARISE. IT IS A PROCESS THAT CHALLENGES STANDARD RESPONSES TO CONFLICT, NAMELY THOSE THAT ARE PUNITIVE, NEGLECTFUL, OR PERMISSIVE. THERE IS INCREASING EMPHASIS ON USING RESTORATIVE APPROACHES AS PART OF A REACTION TO SOME PROBLEMS AND EVERYDAY PRACTICES THAT HELP BUILD BETTER RELATIONSHIPS AND A STRONGER SENSE OF COMMUNITY. THE RESTORATIVE PRACTICE TRAINING CURRICULUM HELPS CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH ALL INDIVIDUALS UNDERSTAND THEIR VALUE AND ARE SKILLED IN DEALING EFFECTIVELY WITH THEIR EMOTIONS, ACTIVE LISTENING, COMMUNICATING, AND INTERACTING WITH COLLEAGUES RESPECTF