The Youth of Englewood Lets Young People Explore Their Interests

The Englewood Panthers Dance Team recently performed at the Stop the Violence Ninja Showcase outside of the Daley Center in Downtown Chicago. This was the second performance for the dancers who formed their dance team while attending the Youth of Englewood summer program. Photo Credit: Provided by The Youth of Englewood.
The Englewood Panthers Dance Team recently performed at the Stop the Violence Ninja Showcase outside of the Daley Center in Downtown Chicago. This was the second performance for the dancers who formed their dance team while attending the Youth of Englewood summer program. Photo Credit: Provided by The Youth of Englewood.

The Youth of Englewood Lets Young People Explore Their Interests

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

The Englewood Panthers Dance Team recently performed at the Stop the Violence Ninja Showcase outside of the Daley Center in Downtown Chicago. This was the second performance for the dancers who formed their dance team while attending the Youth of Englewood summer program.

The Youth of Englewood program is a 5-year-old non-profit organization based in Englewood that provides year-round educational and artistic programming for young people ages 5 to 14. The organization was founded by Latonya Johnson who has always believed that it takes a village to raise a child and through her organization, she is hoping to create that village for the youth of Englewood.

“I saw that the kids were out here in these streets without anything to do and nowhere to go so somebody had to step up. Obviously, I had to figure out a solution for these kids because if I didn’t do it who else was gonna do it? I thought that if I could start this trend then other folks would catch on and start doing the things that I was doing with the kids,” said Johnson

On March 3rd, after nearly five years of operating with no solid location, Johnson hosted the grand opening of the Youth of Englewood Center which shares space in a building located at 6020 S. Halsted St. Johnson takes pride in the fact that everything she does is free and inspired by the passions and needs of the kids in her program.

“I show them the love that I have for them in a space where they can come in, take off their shoes, and just be free and have a good time and know that they don’t have to turn around and watch their back or anything like that. They can come and have fun and be educated at the same time,” said Johnson.

Five years ago when Johnson started the Youth of Englewood organization she had five kids involved and now she has over 50 kids in her program. She encour-

ages her youth to tell her what they want to explore and she will make it happen, this is how the Englewood Panthers came about. “When they first came to me they let me know that they could dance and I said look, create your dance group here and whatever it is that you guys need, I will make it happen,” said Johnson. Johnson said that everything she does is for the kids and that she will do whatever it takes to give them the experiences that they want and deserve.

“Even though I’m a non-profit it’s still always hard to get grants and things like that so with this being about the kids I have to make it happen for them even if somebody else won’t, I have to make it happen regardless of if I have to stand on my tippy toes or flip around or whatever, I’m gonna make it happen for them,” said Johnson. For more information about the Youth of Englewood call 773-633-2296.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.