CF afterschool

Connect Force youth participate in academic enrichment and life skills workshops as well as engaging in the Hip-Hop arts, and planning and carrying out community service projects. Approximately once a month, Connect Force conducts a youth-focused event at Alternatives' Uptown Youth Center, offering youth from around the city opportunities to showcase their talents and connect with other young people invested in positive community-building.

Connect Force youth also create and stage multi-media hip-hop performances which promote positive behavior through artistic expression. The performances are designed to engage young people in dialogue with their peers around violence prevention and community leadership by focusing on non-violent solutions to conflict, the issues around gang involvement, and the ways in which young people can “step up” as leaders of positive change in their communities.

Enrollment is open and ongoing, open to youth ages 8 to 18. Youth can try out the program for their first day before choosing whether or not to continue. Parental consent is required for subsequent sessions. Sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Justin Grey at 773.506.7474 x219 or jgrey@alternativesyouth.org.

Check out Connect Force's Youth-led Winter Showcase, "KidSwag!"