Summer of #youthaction
Dear Friends,
 
We just finished a great season of summer programs and civic activism here at Mikva. Our 155 youth leaders researched policies, conducted digital activism campaigns, crafted intelligent policy recommendations and presented their ideas to the city's most crucial decision makers. As the school year kicks-off this week, Mikva youth are preparing to put some of their summer work into action! 
Big Wins For the Juvenile Justice Council

Mikva Challenge launched its first ever Juvenile Justice Council (JJC), this summer to bring diverse youth perspectives on policies and programs involving young people and the criminal justice system. With the help of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and the Smart Chicago Collaborative, the Council worked on ways to reduce rates of incarceration and recidivism among juvenile youth in Cook County. They crafted policies and practices relating to housing, employment and education that could make the transition from corrections to community smoother for young detainees. Read more>>
 
Juvenile Justice Council hard at Work

Youth Interviewing People on the Street

Summer Councils Meet Decision-Makers   
 
All of our councils and youth leadership groups held meetings with the city's most influential decision-makers to present their recommendations and reports. Below is a quick overview:


Recognizing the potential of digital tools, Mikva's Teen Health Council researched and recommended apps to motivate youth to make good decisions regarding their physical, mental and sexual health. Read more>> 



Mikva's Digital Fellows met with Aldermen to discuss and present ideas on bringing youth voice to the circle of government. Read more>>
  

 




After School Matters Youth Council held a great discussion on ways STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)  can be applied to meaningfully solve youth issues such as poverty and obesity.  
Read more>>



Mikva students won Mayor Emanuel's vote on the free CTA pass plan, a project that would allow low income students to commute to school for free. Read more>>





Mikva's Education Council met with CPS authorities to present their ideas on involving student expertise, voice and passions in important school decisions.

Read more>>   


Mikva Needs Your Help to Connect Youth With Government

 

You can be part of the digital solution to connect youth directly to leaders! Represent Me Chicago is an online platform for amplifying Youth Voice and promoting Action Civics in Chicago by creating direct access to elected officials via video and chat. 

 

Click her to learn more and contribute!

Thank you for your continuing support of our youth leadership mission! Check out www.mikvachallenge.org to read all the latest news, updates, and awesome work of Mikva youth activists!