Yolanda Jeffries
Occupation: founder and president of ECCYA
Why does she stand out?
A native of Chicagos Englewood neighborhood, Jeffries is the founder and president of the Empower Community Center for Youth and Adults (ECCYA). The organization's mission is to empower young people to excel academically, personally, and socially; this is achieved through free mentoring and tutoring services.
ECCYA youth range between the ages of is 8-17 years old and most live in areas with high poverty rates.
Presently, the organization mentors with about 20 children and hopes to expand to 100 kids by 2013.
I currently spend about 1/4 of my week supporting the youth in my organization, Jeffries said.
Outside of volunteering, Jefferies is an accomplished professional with over 10 years of corporate finance experience.
She is a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child and as a result, the ECCYA strives to empower minds one person at a time, she said.
by Thelma Sardin
Latest Stories
- Final Illinois cannabis licensing case heads to court April 1; redacted identities could be revealed
- Marcus C. Evans Jr. Wins Democratic State Central Committee Seat, Expanding Leadership Role in the Illinois Democratic Party
- Yasmin Levy Brings “One More Night with Yasmin Levy” to Chicago on Her US Tour After 10 Years
- Developments Across McDonald’s cases Draw Attention to Franchise System Practices
- Clerk Mariyana T. Spyropoulos Hosts Women’s Safety Seminar to Equip Residents with Practical Safety Tools
Latest Podcast
We Are Our Own Medicine
