Supporting Young Minds: Empowering Through Literacy, Creativity, and Mentorship in Chicago

Welcome to Y.U.R.W.I. - Youth. Urban. Reading & Writing Initiative! We are a Black and female-owned and -run 501(c)(3) non-profit located in Chicago dedicated to empowering underserved teens and young adults through reading, writing, and media literacy. Our comprehensive literacy program, Youth. Urban. Reading & Writing Initiative [Y.U.R.W.I.] focuses on creating transformative experiences for our participants. We offer a range of services, including creative writing, media literacy, youth mentorship, and fundraising for incarcerated youth. Through these services, we aim to increase reading and writing skills, enhance media literacy, and foster personal growth and empowerment through creative expression, mentorship, and community service.

Our non-financial literacy resources include picture books and chapter books, workbooks, and carefully curated and edited media. Our goal is to create age-appropriate and fun learning experiences that build literacy and media literacy skills. Moreover, we want to show our participants that literacy and learning can be fun and fulfilling.

In addition to our services, we offer educational programs and resources, such as interactive lessons and fundraising activities, designed to foster collaborative learning experiences among participants. Through these programs, we aim to increase awareness and knowledge of the importance of literacy, media literacy, and the power of collaborative learning.

To ensure that our programs are accessible to all, we strive to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. We also strive to be accessible in terms of location, offering virtual resources such as online courses free of charge.

Y.U.R.W.I. is committed to creating meaningful and transformative experiences for underserved teens and young adults. We hope to empower them through literacy, creative expression, and mentorship, fostering personal growth and increasing their career readiness through reading, writing, and media literacy. With our unique program, we ensure that our participants have the chance to develop their skills and reach their full potential. We truly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their goals and make positive contributions both in and outside of their communities. Join us in our mission to ignite minds and change lives today!