NEARLY 60 HIGH SCHOOL GRADS FROM CHICAGO’S SOUTH & WEST SIDES GRANTED $210K IN SCHOLARSHIPS FROM UNION LEAGUE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS

 NEARLY 60 HIGH SCHOOL GRADS FROM CHICAGO’S SOUTH
& WEST SIDES GRANTED $210K IN SCHOLARSHIPS FROM
UNION LEAGUE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS

CHICAGO, Ill. — As the 2022-23 academic year begins, 57 current and recent high school graduates hailing from Chicago’s South and West sides have received $210,600 (total) in financial scholarships granted by Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, it was announced today. Twenty-two (22) recent high school graduates, in addition to 35 currently enrolled
students at Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, among others, are on the road to success thanks in part to the financial and developmental support provided by the students’ involvement in Union League Boys & Girls Clubs serving the Pilsen, West Town, Humboldt Park, South Lawndale and Englewood communities, among others.

“We are so proud of our Union League Boys & Girls Clubs high school graduates beginning their higher education journeys and our Club alumni currently enrolled,” said Union League Boys & Girls Clubs President
& CEO Mary Ann Mahon Huels. “We are sincerely thankful to everyone who supports our scholarship program which enables us to continue to serve our youth beyond their time as a Club member. We look forward to learning of their future achievements.”

As unequivocally expressed by the students, of equal value to the financial assistance (in the form of individual scholarships ranging from $2700-$4800) is the academic, moral, and emotional support provided by their experience at the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs. The 2022 high school graduates hail from Roberto Clemente Community Academy,
William H. Wells Community Academy and Chicago High School for the Arts, among others. They credit the academic tutoring and guidance on college applications, along with the skills gained from the Clubs’ after- school arts activities, sports teams and STEM programming, with providing them the encouragement to pursue advance education, in some
cases, as the first in their family to do so. And in addition to the graduating seniors, former Club members who are currently enrolled in college were able to apply for financial support from Union League Boys & Girls Clubs to assist with tuition and housing expenses.

In the students’ own words:
· “The Clemente Club gave me a safe space to learn and grow in. In Chicago, there aren’t too many places to go where you can play and learn without being in danger. The Club helped me develop social, sport,
and academic skills every day and I am truly grateful for the experience.” (James S, Roberto Clemente Club, sophomore enrolled at Loras
College)

· “The main thing the Club made me realize about myself is that I am able to accomplish anything no matter how difficult it may seem - as long as I put forth the effort and just try. When I joined the Club, I realized that
trying new things and maybe not being good at them is a part of life and we learn from those experiences. The hardest thing you can ever do
to yourself is not to try.” (Omayra S, Roberto Clemente Club, sophomore enrolled at Dominican University)

· “If it weren’t for the Club, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Establishing a healthy relationship with staff, such as the Club Director and mentors, has helped tremendously and they became connections for post-graduation plans. Due to this, I was hired as a Youth Development Professional and can now make an impact on other youth.” (Sofia M, Club Two at Wells
Community Academy, sophomore at Malcolm X)

· “The experiences I had while going to the Club really shaped me as a person. I know if I ever need any help with anything I am going through I can rely on some of the staff I built a relationship with to help me. I believe every kid should experience going to the Club; it is amazing.” (Stephanie C, Club One, sophomore at Lincoln Memorial University)

Since its founding on December 26, 1919, as a foundation of the Union League Club of Chicago, Union League Boys & Girls Clubs have been serving youth in neighborhoods with the highest hardship index in Chicago; providing quality programming centered on academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. Today, Union League Boys & Girls Clubs serve over 15,000 youth members at 21 well-equipped and professionally staffed inner-city Clubs, that bring effective after-school programming to youth in the Humboldt Park, Pilsen, Englewood, West Town, South Lawndale, West Garfield Park, Back of the Yards, Archer Heights, Homan Square and Little Village communities as well as to youth in the Juvenile Detention Center and at an overnight
camp in Kenosha County Wisconsin. For more information on Union League Boys & Girls Clubs and its ongoing support of Chicago’s
youth, visit www.ulbgc.org.

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