A 123-year-old Chicago agency is expanding resources to combat the mental health crisis in Chicago schools.
The Youth Protection Society was founded in 1901 by Jane Addams.
“123 years later, what we do is provide compassionate social, emotional and mental health best practices to children in need, including the adults who care for them. ” said Karen G. Foley, JPA President and CEO.
Patrice Matthews is doing just that as a mental health consultant for JPA's Connect 2 Kids program.
“I really enjoyed this program because we often do a lot of work with students, but this program gives us the opportunity to support teachers,” Matthews said.
More than 100 teachers participated in the training in 2023, and 86% reported improved relationships with students and reduced stress.
“Help students identify what is triggering in my classroom. How do I build community? How do I actually build a positive classroom community? ?We tie everything together,'' Matthews said.
Rene Taylor is a staff therapist at JPA, working with children in Chicago.
“One of the things that often happens to me and my colleagues is a lot of anger, a lot of rage, a lot of uncontrolled emotional expression,” Taylor said.
JPA currently employs 30 therapists working in Chicago schools with severe needs.
“Three years ago, I was at a West Side school as an intern. And now I'm at a Far South Side school as an employee. And I'm part of an organization that serves kids all over the city. I'm grateful to be able to do this,” Taylor said.
A renewed focus on mental health during the pandemic led to an increase in private funding, allowing JPA to expand from 13 schools in 2020 to 24 schools this year.
The expansion includes restarting a volunteer program called the Grandparents Project, which will initially focus on connecting middle school girls and grandmothers.
“Our children need to be looked after, so we draw on the wisdom and experience of our female elders to provide a nurturing space, sitting between tutoring and mentoring,” Foley said. Told.
The agency's expansion has been done because of the urgency of supporting children who are struggling with their social and emotional well-being.
“…a lot of the fear comes from not being explained, not being given time to understand what’s going on. And things like JPA and services like that fill that gap. I think it will help,” Taylor said.
