Students from around the city rallied on Sept. 1 at the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., for increased funding for youth centers, jobs and drop-out prevention.

The rally was organized by several organizations from across the city, including the Albany Park Neighborhood Council, Kenwood Oakland Community Organization and Logan Square Neighborhood Association.

“Young people have been working on this event since the beginning of the summer,” said Shannon Bennett, lead organizer for KoCo. “This year, we decided to not just go after summer jobs, but [also] look at things like, ‘Are there enough teen centers and enough recreational activities?'”

Student speakers complained, in front of a packed crowd about having too many liquor stores in their neighborhoods, vacant lots, no affordable resources and not enough support from city, state and federal government.

“Our goal is to get support from the people who aren’t supporting and get the word out to everyone,” said Niley Mendoza, a young leader for APNC.

KoCo and other city organizations have started a coalition, Leaders Investing for Equality, organizing to increase community and government investment in young people. The coalition gives members of the organization a chance to work and campaign about what they want done. Their mission is to increase employment, development and mentorship opportunities for young people, as well as to make communities safer and more productive now and in the future.

According to the LIFE campaign, only 11,000 jobs were available for teens in 2005 and 31,000 teens applied for them.

“It was really hard finding a job,” Mendoza said. “Places were constantly saying they weren’t hiring.”

The Illinois 2010 budget cut affected young people by cutting useful programs and services, such as mentoring and after-school programs, by 51 percent.

According to the LIFE campaign, Teen REACH, which helps to improve life and educational skills, was cut by 16.1 percent and Delinquency Intervention Services was cut by 21.9 percent.

Throughout the rally, teenagers from different organizations gave testimonies about communities that needed changes.

Lakena Tillman, 17, said that her life is hard without support and guidance.

“People are always saying [to] us [that] teens are the problem for everything,” Tillman said. “I was one of those teens always fighting in gangs and I had to do something about it. When I got introduced to Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, they changed my whole life around.”

According to LIFE, 3.4 million youth in America were unemployed and the youth unemployment rate was 14 percent, the highest rate since July 1992.

Sen. Iris Y. Martinez (D-Ill.) was present at the rally and is proud the youth are getting their message across.

“I think this shows a strong commitment that they are interested in their future,” Martinez said. “If you look in these kids’ faces, these are kids that really want to make it, be a part of society and have a positive message to send out.”

APNC and LSNA are two organizations that are in her district areas and she said these two groups keep her grounded with issues going on.

“These groups are very active,” Martinez said. “They really know what they have to do to get the message across and I am thankful to have these groups in my area.”

Youth members have done their research and indicate that they need support to help keep youth off the streets.

“A society that doesn’t invest in young people, betrays its young people,” said Ira Hatcher, a youth leader of KoCo.

lots, no affordable resources and not enough support from city, state and federal government.

“Our goal is to get support from the people who aren’t supporting and get the word out to everyone,” said Niley Mendoza, a young leader for APNC.

KoCo and other city organizations have started a coalition, Leaders Investing for Equality, organizing to increase community and government investment in young people. The coalition gives members of the organization a chance to work and campaign about what they want done. Their mission is to increase employment, development and mentorship opportunities for young people, as well as to make communities safer and more productive now and in the future.

According to the LIFE campaign, only 11,000 jobs were available for teens in 2005 and 31,000 teens applied for them.

“It was really hard finding a job,” Mendoza said. “Places were constantly saying they weren’t hiring.”

The Illinois 2010 budget cut affected young people by cutting useful programs and services, such as mentoring and after-school programs, by 51 percent.

According to the LIFE campaign, Teen REACH, which helps to improve life and educational skills, was cut by 16.1 percent and Delinquency Intervention Services was cut by 21.9 percent.

Throughout the rally, teenagers from different organizations gave testimonies about communities that needed changes.

Lakena Tillman, 17, said that her life is hard without support and guidance.

“People are always saying [to] us [that] teens are the problem for everything,” Tillman said. “I was one of those teens always fighting in gangs and I had to do something about it. When I got introduced to Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, they changed my whole life around.”

According to LIFE, 3.4 million youth in America were unemployed and the youth unemployment rate was 14 percent, the highest rate since July 1992.

Sen. Iris Y. Martinez (D-Ill.) was present at the rally and is proud the youth are getting their message across.

“I think this shows a strong commitment that they are interested in their future,” Martinez said. “If you look in these kids’ faces, these are kids that really want to make it, be a part of society and have a positive message to send out.”

APNC and LSNA are two organizations that are in her district areas and she said these two groups keep her grounded with issues going on.

“These groups are very active,” Martinez said. “They really know what they have to do to get the message across and I am thankful to have these groups in my area.”

Youth members have done their research and indicate that they need support to help keep youth off the streets.

“A society that doesn’t invest in young people, betrays its young people,” said Ira Hatcher, a youth leader of KoCo.