CHICAGO, IL -- (Marketwired) -- 07/09/14 -- The Youth Impact Program (YIP) along with Northwestern University kicked off its inaugural Chicago camp Monday, July 7th. Eighty three middle school boys from North Lawndale and Evanston attended the opening day of the two week camp. The camp's mission is to reduce youth violence, provide life skills training, promote summer education and to provide mentoring to at risk boys.
"The camp provides the boys with access and relationships to Northwestern University and its football program. YIPs mission is to foster social change by providing education, tools, resources and mentors that can serve as the catalyst for change," said Riki Ellison, the founder of the Youth Impact Program, former San Francisco 49er and three time Super Bowl Champion.
Each day is action packed. YIP camp delivers STEM classroom education, life skills training & leadership development and football training every day. The classroom education is led by 4 local public school teachers, a learning resource instructor, and assisted by twelve current Northwestern University student athletes. The campers learn essential life skills training on nonviolent conflict resolution, bullying, self-confidence, and leadership over the lunch, and then participate in football training and practice in the afternoons
The Northwestern YIP camp is sponsored by Benefitdecisions and received support from Capital Building Services Group, Cresa Partners Chicago, American Children's Fund, Bears Care, World Sport Chicago, Kovitz Investment Group, LLC., and individual donations.
Mark Matuscak, CEO of Benefitdecisions, said, "Choosing to spearhead the effort to bring YIP to Chicago was an easy decision. YIP aligns perfectly with our corporate social responsibility. Our involvement and contributions are really an investment in our communities through our kids"