Youth Programs Portfolio

Woodlawn Mural Arts Apprenticeship Program (WMAP)
Since the summer of 2005, MAGIC has maintained a community arts program that produces high quality public art, while at the same time providing youth employment training skills. Designing and creating art involves students in a series of activities that develop artistic skills, communication skills and an understanding of the importance of individual responsibility to the efforts taken on by a team. The students begin by looking at different projects to help them understand the history of art and how art can beautify the community. This project allows participants to learn the process of designing and creating murals and mosaics. MAGIC wants to expand this program to be part of a citywide initiative to eradicate destructive graffiti and address neighborhood blight. When young people make a mural, they interact with instructors, fellow muralists, and the community at-large. Each interaction presents a different set of challenges and opportunities requiring youth to develop a wide range of skills from traditional drawing and color mixing to teamwork and leadership. That’s why nearly 100 youth—ages 9 through 18—participate in WMAP Art Education programs and workshops every year!

Woodlawn String Instrument Program (WSIP)
Music is MAGIC—The Woodlawn String Instrument Program (WSIP) program is a comprehensive classical music education and training program that provides free or minimal cost string instrument instructions to 30 youth in Chicago’s Woodlawn community. The goal of the program is to use music as a vehicle to stimulate the learning and developmental skills of youth in one of the City of Chicago have underserved communities, by providing students the opportunity to study and learn to play a stringed instrument.
It has been well documented that music training strengthens the reading, listening, and math skills of students. Instrument instruction requires concentration, self-discipline and the ability to follow directions. As well, the student develops a skill and an appreciation of the arts and humanities. The skills learned will assist the student not only in their academic studies, but will help to raise their self-esteem by helping them to develop a personal talent.

Young, Gifted & Organized (YGO)
A youth empowerment project that combines community organizing, political discussions, and opportunities for self-expression and activism.

MAGIC Teen Talk Chicago—The OFFICIAL mature, talk show for teens by teens. This project is a way to develop youth leaders and stimulate social activism through media. Teens will use this platform to critically analyze images that influence negative behavior amongst urban teens, as well as offer positive alternatives and action-oriented solutions to social issues that adversely affect their quality of life. By tackling social issues in a talk-show format, teens will become empowered and ultimately build a communications network where they can engage and exchange social and cultural ideas with teens from diverse communities.The show will serve as a training ground for teens to be taught to produce, host and broadcast television programs. A targeted curriculum is being structured to stress social activism, civic engagement, entrepreneurship and serve as a way to gain social capital necessary for success in society.

United Sisters of Civilization (USoC)
An innovative 12-week program designed to develop leadership skills and life opportunities for young women ages 12-18. It offers young women workshops, trainings, and retreats to share and exchange resources and information; develop their skills and capacity to become leaders in their schools and communities so that the young women will be fully prepared to enter and complete college. At the end of the program, USoC holds a graduation for all members who have completed the program.

Hip Hop Outreach, Programming and Education (HOPE) Project
HOPE is an outreach and educational program that targets young men and young women who are wheelchair bound and those who are at-risk and suffer from spinal cord injuries due to gun violence.
This project serves as both a link to programs and services for the disabled as well as increasing the awareness of non-disabled audiences about intentional injuries that could lead to spinal cord injuries.
HOPE also has a membership component that advocates for programs and services where the need exist.