Their stories. Their transformation.
Our young people are writing stories, confronting trauma, building job skills and setting themselves up for success. For some, success is getting a GED. Going to college. Getting a CDL license. Giving a speech in front of 500 people. Dealing constructively with the loss of a parent. Or even becoming a professional Teaching Artist themselves.
On top of all that, they are influencing better decisions for civic leaders and at-risk youth.
Scroll down to learn more about how they empower themselves and the Chicago community.
"I'M GOING HOME" - An Anthem by the Temporary LockDown Ensemble
Changing Voices’ Impact On Youth in 2019.
Post-Release Transitional Employment.
A cohort of young adults, 17-24 years old, who have re-entered society from court-involvement worked up to 30 hours/week in a writing and performance curriculum. In addition, they receive job-readiness and life skills critical to success after transitioning from Storycatchers to education opportunities or full-time employment.
Empathy workshops with 975 Chicago Police Department recruits.
Learn about how ensemble members worked with CPD’s recruit training program by leading a re-enactment of a traffic stop from both the young person’s perspective and the officer’s perspective.
Changing Voices impact on the Chicago community.
Community performances in CPS schools and at other youth events include an ensemble-guided, interactive discussion with audiences to process the real-life stories and discuss positive alternatives or choices made by characters in the show.
# of Youth Employed
# of Performances
At-Risk Youth Attendees
Family and Community Attendees
From the Green Line Performing Arts Center
WHO: WE OUT HERE CATCHING STORIES
WHAT: WE’RE CHANGING THE COMMUNITY
WHY: ‘CAUSE THE REAL POWER LIES IN MY CHOICE
I’VE GOT ONE MORE CHANCE SO I’MMA CHANGE MY VOICE
Impact from Residential Programming.
Emotional and social development for incarcerated youth.
Our trauma-informed programs are an outlet of expression, collaboration and means of personal growth done through the process of story writing, creative workshops and performing original musicals. In our programs, they recapture their identity, find their voice and work with positive role-models who give them the hope and direction needed to have a successful re-entry into society.
# of Participants
# of Performances
Facility Residents
# of Family and Community Members
%
% of performers with family in the audience
Total performance attendees
Meet Edmund Buck.
He was incarcerated in 1994. He performed with us in 1995-1996. He met a girl named Dori in that program. He was released 19 years later.
Today, he mentors our ensemble members and inspires them to think confidently about themselves. Edmund credits a lot of his success, and maybe his recent marriage to Dori, to his involvement with Storycatchers.
Read uplifting stories about the youths' successes, life-changing performances and other news.