YMCA of Metro Chicago Foodies Program Impacts Chicago Youth

For youth Yvette and Alexa, the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s Foodies program is more than just a summer job. Both Yvette and Alexa say Foodies at the Rauner Family YMCA is a place where they can be themselves and learn skills that they will use in their daily lives.

YMCA of Metro Chicago’s Foodies program, funded in part by After School Matters, teaches youth how to create healthy dishes while practicing leadership and team building. Although it is open to youth from all over Chicago, most of the students who apply to join live in the Pilsen, Little Village and Back of the Yards neighborhoods, like Yvette and Alexa.

Because Foodies is a popular choice among youth looking for summer apprenticeships, Yvette says she was wait-listed before and was excited to learn she got into the program. Yvette says Foodies provided her with fun and new experiences that helped her find a passion for cooking. Through Foodies, Yvette has been able to explore cultures in Central America. One Costa Rican dish she had never heard of, pollo sudado, is now her favorite, when she didn’t even like chicken before!

Teamwork and communication are important in Foodies, and Yvette and Alexa have created a little family within their experience. “Foodies gives us the opportunity to be around others that are not going to be judging you and to really learn something, a skill that will be really helpful in life.” Alexa enjoys being in an environment where social media and other outside distractions are at bay. She has been able to grow in her knowledge of cooking and she says she has fun trying new dishes. Foodies has also opened up Alexa’s mind to what she might pursue as a career, and cooking is something she is willing to try.