CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez are backing the expansion of a program for youth grappling with high risk situations.
CPS and community partners will invest $7.5 million in private and public funds Choose to Change, a program that has helped reduce the impact of trauma on Chicago’s youth who have experienced higher levels of violence.
"We know right now with COVID, all of the challenges that already existed before COVID has just been exasperated especially around the mental health of our children," said Martinez.
By increasing funding, he said the hope is to raise the number of students served by Choose To Change from 700 to 1000 and to expand the amount of community organizations involved in the intensive mentorship program.
"The pandemic has had a particularly adverse impact on our young people whose educational journeys and social lives were interrupted," said Lightfoot in a statement.
"By expanding our mental health programming and supports, our students will have the opportunity to grow and flourish in a safe and nurturing school environment. We will always remain committed to protecting and addressing the social-emotional needs of our children in any way that we can."
This year, Choose to Change will serve 1,000 students who may have school attendance issues, involvement with the justice system, and/or have been exposed to violence and trauma, according to a news release. The program provides youth and family support and weekly behavioral health sessions.
"Folks, there's no short cuts to this," said Martinez. "When children are hurting, you gotta provide them support. You gotta provide them help."
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