La Grange Group Helping 'Alienated' Youth

LA GRANGE, IL — The Chicago Area Alternative Education League, a nonprofit organization based in La Grange, says that it has been providing programs that engage the growing number of "scared and alienated" youth for 43 years.

According to a news release, in a time when everyone seems to be searching for ways to help young people, the league, also known as CAAEL, is a demonstrated model of success. Each year, the group offers more than 1,100 events to more than 5,000 students from 30 Illinois counties. Yet there are so many more alternative educators who could use the league's unique model to engage their most challenging kids, the release said.

The league say its mission is to expand its current network of schools and replicate its unique model in other geographic areas. "All this relies upon increased exposure which will help us create new partnerships and develop additional funding sources," the group says.

On Saturday, Jan. 25, the league is sponsoring Caaelchella, its main fundraiser of the year. This year’s event will be held at 7 p.m. at the Alta Grill, 4740 Vernon Ave. in McCook (inside the Max McCook). The event will include an open bar, silent auction and live music.

For more information on the Caaelchella, visit the event's website.