The Love, Unity & Values (LUV) Institute

I grew up knowing that there was a plan for my success. It might not have been sketched out in detail when I was in grammar school. It might have been a bit blurry through junior high. But by the time I finished high school, I was on a path to independence and financial stability. I could see a bright future. I knew that I’d be constantly learning and growing, but that I’d be OK. I never doubted it, and I have my parents to thank for that. I have family members, teachers and mentors who had my back, too. They instilled their hopes and expectations for me, within me, through words of wisdom, experiences, and actions. I was encouraged. I was led. I was fed. Every child deserves that. But too many living in Chicago’s underserved communities don’t have that. This week, The Love, Unity & Values (LUV) Institute rolled out our three-year strategic plan. It’s not for us; it’s for Chicago’s youth and young adults who lack the support I had growing up. I want them to know that we at LUV Institute have a plan for their future. We have signed up to be active participants in shaping who they will become. We’re building our team, adding career verticals, and providing healing spaces for them. We understand that after living with trauma, for them to succeed, they need to feel safe and find their peace. Check out our strategic plan and be inspired to join the LUV movement. #youthempowerment #leadership #Chicago   https://lnkd.in/g4s4B38R

We are so excited to finally share our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan! It outlines where we are headed as an organization and how we intend to deepen our impact. We won’t stop until all our young people are thriving. So, what are you waiting for? Explore our Strategic Plan and join the LUV movement today! https://lnkd.in/geS_Fu8E Kristie Conklin, Andrew Wells, Dr. Dan’iel Kendricks, Jeannine Ashley Jones, Wendy Ryce Smith

LUV Institute's 2024-2026 Strategic Plan releases tomorrow! Hear from our Executive Director, Cosette Nazon-Wilburn! ❤️

As we prepare to release our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, we want you to first hear from some of our incredible Board of Directors! Please excuse any background noise, our last board meeting was very lively :). Kristie Conklin, Andrew Wells, Wendy Ryce Smith, Dr. Dan’iel Kendricks, Jeannine Ashley Jones

Look good, feel good! While we never expected him to show up in a suit (complete with a bow tie!), we love Joshua's commitment to growth and desire to learn to be more professional. What does being professional mean to you? Joshua is always looking for advice, so please feel free to share any career lessons that have served you well in the comments!

We've had so many wonderful people join our programs throughout the years. Please listen to some of their voices and spread the LUV! #GrowWithPurpose #lifeskills #youthdevelopment #restorativejustice

The LUV Institute is grateful to have leaders like Keon guiding our youth on their journey of learning and growth. Participants in our 10-week Career Academy just finished the first phase of the program - job readiness training - and are now moving onto phase two - internships with our community partners! #youthdevelopment #workforcetraining #lifeskills #knowyourrights

A year ago, The Love, Unity & Values (LUV) Institute kicked off a six-week journey through civil rights with 80 Chicago Public Schools students. The lesson culminated with a trip to Little Rock, Arkansas, to visit Central High School, which was famously integrated in 1957 by a group of Black students who'd become known as the Little Rock Nine. Central High School is different today -- it’s predominantly Black – and so are the CPS students who went on that trip. They learned how Black people have suffered due to racism, ignorance and laws that limited what they could do and where we could go. But they also learned that they, too, can push past life’s traumas and persevere. Just listen to their voices. Their words were inspired by a history lesson put into context by our teachers and staff. You can almost see the a-ha moment in their faces when they realized they could apply these lessons in their own lives. #Blackhistory must not be curtailed or whitewashed. So much of Black history is still being written. We must keep it in our schools. #blackhistorymonth #eachoneteachone

Even though we have served over 3,200 young people over the past 12 years, we realize that the LUV Institute is, in many ways, Chicago's best-kept secret! If you are new to LUV, allow us to (re)introduce ourselves. We devote ourselves to the service of young people of color who have experienced trauma. Helping them unlock their limitless power and potential through restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and workforce development is our privilege and calling. Our vision is to see our youth thrive in their lives, careers, and communities. Do you share this vision? We encourage you to watch our 10-Year Journey video and listen to our Executive Director, Cosette Nazon-Wilburn, and our Deputy Director, Dr. Linda S. Moore- Upshaw, speak about our story. If what we do resonates with you, please give our page a follow and share our story! Lead with LUV. #youthempowerment #socialemotionallearning #restorativepractices #traumahealing #workforcedevelopment https://lnkd.in/ggpVu7wH

The Love Unity & Values Institute (LUV Institute) is pleased to announce that we have been selected by the NBA Foundation as one of 23 grant recipients to commemorate the holidays. The grant will support the participation of 100 economically disadvantaged youth, parenting teens, and justice-involved youth in LUV’s Journey to My Better Self Career Academy. The NBA Foundation is the league’s first-ever charitable organization. We thank the foundation and its members for this distinguished honor. #NBA #empoweryouth