CHICAGO– Donavin Bailey, 18, who lives in the notorious Altgeld Gardens housing complex, says he is smart and can do anything if he puts his mind to it. But he was kicked out of Olive Harvey Middle College High School, because he failed to show up for classes. Instead of going to school, Donavin, an
Read moreThe Season of Giving at Ombudsman
Ombudsman campuses around the country are embracing the giving spirit this holiday season. While our Ombudsman staff and educators get to witness our students do great things every day of the year, we want to make sure to recognize and share some of the extra special and selfless efforts our students have put forth this
Read more21st Annual Chicago Football Classic
September 2018 Pictured above: Team with current Chicago City Colleges Chancellor, Juan Salgado. The 21st Annual Chicago Football Classic was held Saturday September 22nd at Soldier Field, with a match-up between Morehouse College and Miles College. The event features football teams of two historically black colleges and universities; and was founded to encourage black youth
Read moreSecond Annual Ombudsman Chicago Community Partner Summit
Ombudsman Chicago hosted the Second Annual Community Partner Summit on August 16 at our South Campus. The summit is an opportunity for Ombudsman and our community partners to come together for professional development, sharing information, and to discuss what services at-risk youth in Chicago need to feel supported and be successful in their educational efforts.
Read moreMore than 225 students graduate from Ombudsman Chicago
From ABC7 News: On Friday night, at Austin College and Career Academy, more than 225 students graduated from Ombudsman Chicago’s three campuses around the city. Students around Chicago are celebrating graduation and looking forward to a brighter future. “This diploma is the start of how great my future will be. It is also a start
Read moreTips on Avoiding a Dropout Dilemma
In the United States, 7,000 high school students drop out every day. That’s more than two kids per minute. In Los Angeles County, dropout rates have improved in the last few years, with a 75% graduation rate in 2016 for LAUSD but while many parents may think it could never happen to their child, if
Read more4 Star Chicagoan: Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. | Ombudsman Chicago (VIDEO)
On Windy City Live’s news segment, “4 Star Chicagoan”, Ombudsman Chicago was mentioned by one of our community partners. Chez Smith, founder of “Gyrls in the H.O.O.D.” explained the new mentoring program with Degrees before Diapers that will be starting at Ombudsman Chicago in November. The new partnership is mentioned around 5:40. Description of the
Read moreFive Ombudsman Chicago Grads Receive College Scholarships
Five members of Ombudsman Chicago’s class of 2017 earned $221,000 in college scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $80,000 and were recognized at Ombudsman’s graduation June 16th. The five are among 150 graduates this year. Jacara Hampton received $2,500 and will attend Western Illinois University in Bloomington. Hampton, who was 19 years old and had three
Read moreInspiring the Next Generation: Why Mentoring Students Matters (Chicago)
Defender Guest Columnist, Johnell Williams Since my first day at Ombudsman four years ago, I have done my best to educate and inspire our students. As an Assistant Dean in the School Support Office and a Sports Director, my philosophy is to appreciate what we have, and tackle challenges that come along the way. I
Read moreOmbudsman Chicago Students Discover Careers in Communications (Chicago)
Students from Ombudsman Chicago’s South and West campuses recently had an opportunity to step outside of the classroom and into the boardroom to get some real-world career experience. Flowers Communications Group (FCG), the marketing and public relations agency for Ombudsman Chicago, hosted two hands-on sessions for Ombudsman South and West students at FCG’s downtown Chicago
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