State of Our Youth

Chicago can be a challenging place to grow up.

Too many youth — especially in communities on the South and West sides — live with high rates of poverty, violence, unemployment and homelessness. These historic inequities are evident in every measure of youth achievement and well-being, from kindergarten readiness to grade-level reading and math proficiency, to high school graduation rates and ultimately, to career success. Yet youth remain optimistic about their future, and it's on us to help them succeed.

Join A Better Chicago for a special event exploring the latest data trends and insights that shed light on what it means to be a young person living in Chicago. Hear from experts in the field as we discuss strategies for uplifting and empowering young people across the city. Moderated by WBEZ's Reset host Sasha-Ann Simons, the wide-ranging conversation will highlight key findings on educational attainment, absenteeism rates, youth homelessness, mental health challenges, and more. Plus, experience a powerful performance from Young Chicago Authors.

Reception: 4-5PM

Program: 5-6:30PM

Moderator: Sasha-Ann Simons, Host of WBEZ’s Reset

Keynote Presenter: Beth Swanson, CEO, A Better Chicago

Panelists: To be announced soon!

Host or Publisher A Better Chicago