Due to the recent devastating budget cutbacks in social service programs in the state of Illinois, we are asking for your financial support of the Community Coalition for Youth Summer Work Experience Campaign – A Loretto Youth Council (LYC) on Healthcare Initiative – to fund summer work experiences for youth in Chicago’s Austin and surrounding communities. This program will afford participants the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and exposure to a variety of career opportunities in a safe and secure environment.

We believe that “it takes a village to raise a child.” And, despite today’s tough economic challenges, the community is committed to the growth, health, and well-being of our youth.

In order to bring our goal alive, we need your help. We are asking for a minimum $10 donation, enough to sponsor at least 1-hour of work, to help us reach our fundraising goal of $180,000. All contributions are tax-deductible and will be used to support up to 100 youth throughout the six-week program. Participating organizations that will benefit from the LYC on Healthcare coalition initiative include: Hope Community Church, Austin Chamber of Commerce, Second Chance Community Organization, Westside Health Authority, Austin Peoples Action Center, and Fathers Who Care. The LYC on Healthcare will also host a benefit concert on August 19, 2015 at the Wire performance venue in Berwyn, IL. Further details will be coming soon on lorettohospitalfoundation.org.

Remember, it’s not about “equal giving” as much as it is “equal sacrifice.” Let’s show our youth WE CARE! Be sure to post and share our campaign information with your family, friends and colleagues!

Supporters include board members from Loretto Hospital and the Loretto Hospital Foundation including: Attorney Edward Hogan, Michelle Collins, Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford, Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, Attorney James D. Montgomery Sr., M.S. Bhagavan, M.D., Sonia Mehta, M.D., Pauline M. Montgomery, Matthew J. Cleveland, Chauncey L. Stroud, Jill R. Bush, Tesa Anewishki, Camille Y. Lilly, Dheeraj Mahajan, M.D., Tony Prather, Antonio Senat, M.D., and Vincent R. Williams.

Supporting program visionaries include the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and Westside Elected Officials including: Congressman Danny K. Davis, Sen. Don Harmon, Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford, Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, Rep. Pamela Reeves-Harris, Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, Rep. Art Turner, Rep. Chris Welch, Commissioner Richard Boykin, Commissioner Robert Steele, Commissioner Barbara McGowan, Ald. Walter Burnett, Ald. Jason Ervin, Ald. Emma Mitts, Ald. Michael Scott, and Ald. Chris Taliaferro.

ABOUT LYC
The Loretto Youth Council on Healthcare is a program created by the Loretto Hospital Foundation to bring together, educate and involve students in and around the Austin Community about the relevant health issues impacting today’s youth. The LYC on Healthcare serves as a platform for members to not only discuss these topics, but to also empower them to be health advocates for themselves and their peers while fostering camaraderie and healthy relationships with other youth in the community. Members participate in interactive, informational, and age-appropriate peer think tanks and workshops that focus on issues such as: youth violence, mental health, drugs, and HIV/AIDS; hear from motivational speakers; and, most importantly, be encouraged in becoming the next generation of health care leaders. The program is tailored for high school and upper level elementary school students.

For more information about the LYC on Healthcare visit our programs page at lorettohospitalfoundation.org and to donate to the GoFundMe campaign please visit, www.gofundme.com/LYCHealthcare.