Blog

  • Voices Raised Stronger, Last Longer

    In 2002, lightning struck within the halls of UCAN. Three young men took their friendship and talent to new heights by founding the Uhlich Voices program.

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  • Chicago’s Tomorrow Interviews Chicago Today – Episode 3

    In this series, UCAN youth poised to be Chicago’s future leaders interview current leaders in their fields of interest.

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  • Mini Grants, Max Impact

    Summer means sun, fun and no school. But unfortunately, summer in Chicago also has come to mean a spike in gun violence in too many neighborhoods. In response, to provide youth with engaging activities in safe spaces that raise awareness of the risks and positively support youth, the MacArthur Foundation awarded UCAN 12 mini grants… Read more »

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  • The Year of the Volunteer

    We all know time can pass by us in a blur. That is why we give special praise to those who slow down, take some time to reflect, and give a little bit of their most cherished resource… their time.

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  • Chicago’s Tomorrow Interviews Chicago Today – Episode 2

    In this series, youth poised to be Chicago’s future leaders (UCAN program participants and recent alumni) interview current Chicago leaders in their fields of interest. For our second episode, Briana Owens, an aspiring broadcaster and currently a student at Ithaca College, interviews Brandis Griffith-Friedman, a correspondent and segment host for Chicago Tonight, on WTTW, Chicago’s… Read more »

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  • Chicago’s Tomorrow Interviews Chicago Today – Episode 1

    Youth interviewer, Ariyan Moore spoke with John Starkey, Global Brand Leader at Mars. 

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  • Tilly Wilhoite: Leaving a Legacy

    One of the most impactful ways a loyal donor can enrich the lives of others is through a planned gift.

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  • Phenomenal Woman. That’s me!

    UCAN’s female mentoring group gleaned its name from a famous Maya Angelou poem, Phenomenal Woman, originally published in 1978.

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  • Wahl Fades It Forward

    “It’s not just about cutting hair; that’s only one aspect of being a barber,” explains Garland “G-Whiz” Fox of the Education & Artistic Team at Wahl Professional. The Illinois-based company, famous for its grooming products, partnered with UCAN and His & Hers Barber School to create the Wahl “Fade It Forward” MentorshipProgram. Selected youth from… Read more »

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  • Charlestein Dantzler: Coming Full Circle

    “Before I found out I was pregnant, I had always wanted a baby, because I wanted someone to love me,” says UCAN alumni Charlestein (Charlie) Dantzler. “My mom claimed she was in the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) system, she said her mom was in DCFS, and then (my sisters and I) were… Read more »

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