Chicago-area teens from UCAN (Uhlich Children's Advantage Network) and the National Runaway Switchboard gathered at Francis Scott Key Elementary School today to let some very important city figures know just how they felt about the continued violence in the area. Alderman Isaac Carothers of the 29^th Ward; John E. Rooney, CEO of U.S. Cellular and Bryan Samuels, chief of staff for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) were all on hand to listen to the young leaders as they shared the results of the 10^th annual UCAN Teen Report Card. The teens asked for direct involvement from adults to help stop the violence and help heal the trauma they are experiencing. U.S. Cellular stepped up as UCAN's Premier Corporate Partner by donating $150,000 to the organization at today's event. The grant will provide sponsorship for two of UCAN's violence prevention and leadership programs called "Hands Without Guns" and "Project Visible Man."  Rooney, who also is a member of UCAN's President's Board, presented the generous check at the event by saying:

"We believe every child should have a safe environment and we appreciate the hard work UCAN does to make a difference in our community. Supporting Hands Without Guns and Project Visible Man are ways for us to be a small part of the programs that make a big impact in the safety of our youth."

"It's scary knowing I have lost so many schoolmates to gun violence and it's hard to concentrate in school when I'm worried about violence," said Briana Brooks, a 16-year-old student at The Al Raby School for Community and Environemnt. "Adults need to work together and work with us to get this figured out, so that young people across Chicago communities can be safer." 
 

"Adults need to solicit the opinions of teenagers and listen to them before passing judgment," says UCAN President and CEO Thomas Vanden Berk. "The UCAN Teen Report Card has served as a catalyst for creating a dialogue between adults and teens. We hope that this year's results will once again prod adults to hear teens out. Our focus groups showed beyond a doubt that teens have much to say about solving the problems that face them and our society."

The national survey conducted by TRU (Teenage Research Unlimited) carries a +-3% margin of error.

To learn more about our Teen Report Card, click on these documents:

UCAN_Teen_Report_Card_2008_-_Results.doc (178 KB) 

Grades_at-a-glance_2005_to_2008.doc (127 KB)

UCAN_TRC_Release_-_FINAL.doc (593 KB)

UCAN_Spring_2008_teens_revised.pdf (59 KB)

2007 Blank Report Card

2007 Teen Report Card

2007 Teen Report Card Regional Overview