Story of I.V.Y.
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Innovation and Valor in Youth started as a small group in 2012 after the tragic passing of a childhood friend, Mahlik Jamil Harris a.k.a Leek. Having being friends for 20 years and attending both high school and college together, we sat out to honor Mahlik's name by promoting and instilling
CREATIVITY and COURAGE (our two foundational pillars)
in the very community we all grew up in.
In 2014 we started our work in the community at our alma matter, Kenwood Academy High School, where we originated the IVY League After School Program. We held this program for 4 years until 2018 having the opportunity to see all our students who entered the program graduate leaving us with a
100% percent graduation rate across all 4 years.
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In 2019 we completed our Black History Curriculum (It Started With Us) which afforded us the opportunity to expand and serve our younger generation (K-6). We began to host STEM workshops at different After School Matters locations in addition to daycares, churches and after school programs throughout the Chicagoland Area, exposing them to both the struggles and contributions made by people of color through creative
lessons & activities.
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Starting in 2021 we expanded yet again and started our journey with recidivism. We partnered with Box Truck Plays, a trucking mentorship program to help reform, motivate and educate those who may lack the resources and information on starting a business within the trucking industry. During this partnership we have helped numerous people who come home from prison start, grow and sustain their business regardless of past transgressions and criminal records. Our partnership allows us to give both information and intrinsic motivation/ therapy while educating simultaneously.
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All programs are uniquely designed to nurture CREATIVITY & COURAGE regardless of age or status.
Follow us as we continue to grow and offer more opportunities to help our community thrive along with our leaders of tomorrow!
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our
Leadership
Brandon Atkins
Anthony Sparks