Flossmoor's You Matter 2 Launches Program To Support South Suburban Youth Impacted By Gun Violence

FLOSSMOOR, IL — You Matter 2, a south suburban nonprofit organization dedicated to closing opportunity gaps for youth, has announced the launch of Healing, Support & Opportunity, an expanded initiative designed to connect middle and high school students impacted by gun violence with additional support, resources, and opportunities to thrive.

As part of the initiative, You Matter 2 is launching its Healing & Support Pathway, a personalized 12-active-week cohort experience that will surround participating youth with coordinated support while helping them build on their strengths, pursue personal goals, and access opportunities for their future. The first cohort begins October 6, with up to 30 students.

Importantly, youth do not have to participate in a cohort to receive support. Healing, Support & Opportunity serves as the broader initiative through which eligible youth may be connected to additional services and opportunities throughout the year based on their individual needs, interests, eligibility, capacity, and available resources.

Support may include individual and group therapy and other healing opportunities, positive youth development programs, transportation assistance, family resources, mentorship, community referrals, and college, career, and workforce opportunities.

“Too often, when we talk about youth who have been impacted by gun violence, the conversation begins and ends with what they have experienced,” said Destiny Watson, Founder & CEO of You Matter 2. “We want to broaden that conversation. Our youth deserve opportunities to heal, but they also deserve opportunities to discover who they are, build relationships, explore their futures, and have people consistently supporting them along the way. This initiative is about creating more support, more opportunities, and more ways for youth to thrive.”

A Personalized Pathway for Every Student

Students selected for the 12-week Healing & Support Pathway will develop a personalized My Pathway Plan focused on their strengths, goals, priorities, and areas where additional support may be helpful.

Throughout the pathway, students will be connected with a dedicated You Matter 2 support person, participate in regular individual check-ins, and engage in youth development and other opportunities based on their interests and goals. Families will also have opportunities to engage with You Matter 2 and receive connections to resources that can support the household.

Clinical services are provided in partnership with Soles for Sale, allowing eligible youth to access professional healing and mental health support when appropriate.

The pathway is intentionally designed so that no two students' experiences have to look exactly the same.

“Support should meet students where they are,” Watson said. “For one student, that might mean having someone help them work toward a college or career goal. For another, it may mean therapy, transportation, mentorship, family resources, or simply having another trusted adult consistently checking in. We want youth and families to know there are more people, resources, and opportunities available to support them.”

Support Beyond the Cohort

The 12-week Healing & Support Pathway is one way youth can receive support, but it is not the only way to participate in Healing, Support & Opportunity.

Eligible youth outside of a cohort may still be connected to available services and opportunities, which can include YM2 youth programs, healing and wellness opportunities, individual therapy when appropriate and available, college and career programming, transportation assistance, family resources, and connections to other community resources.

This allows You Matter 2 to continue supporting youth when a cohort is full, has already begun, or when the structured 12-week pathway is not the best fit for a student's needs.

Youth receiving broader support may also be considered for a future Healing & Support Pathway cohort when appropriate.

Who Can Participate

Healing, Support & Opportunity is available to eligible students in grades 6–12 who live in or are served in suburban Cook County and have been impacted by gun violence.

Gun violence can affect youth and families in different ways. Eligibility may include youth who have been directly impacted, have a loved one who has experienced gun violence, have witnessed gun violence, or experience frequent exposure to gun violence within their community.

Youth do not have to be in crisis to receive support.

Families do not need to provide a police report or other documentation of a gun violence incident to express interest in the broader initiative or Healing & Support Pathway.

Upcoming Healing & Support Pathway Cohorts

The first Healing & Support Pathway cohort begins October 6, and referrals are currently being accepted. Each cohort can serve up to 30 students.

The anticipated cohort schedule includes:

• Cohort 1: October 6, 2026 – January 19, 2027
• Cohort 2: February 2 – April 27, 2027
• Cohort 3: May 11 – July 27, 2027
• Cohort 4: September 21 – December 14, 2027
• Cohort 5: January 11 – April 4, 2028
• Cohort 6: April 18 – July 11, 2028

Each cohort includes 12 active weeks of pathway programming. Scheduled You Matter 2 holiday and seasonal breaks do not count toward the 12 active weeks.

Cohort dates are anticipated and subject to change based on program scheduling, holidays, organizational needs, and other circumstances. Confirmed dates and participation details will be shared with accepted youth and families before each cohort begins.

Referrals are accepted year-round, and youth do not have to wait for the start of the next cohort to connect with You Matter 2 for available support.

Community Referrals Encouraged

With cohorts planned through Summer 2028 and broader support available throughout the year, You Matter 2 is building an ongoing network of referral partners across Suburban Cook County.

The organization is inviting schools, counselors, social workers, community organizations, law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, faith communities, youth-serving organizations, and other community partners to refer youth who may benefit from additional support and opportunities.

Referral partners do not need to determine whether a student should participate in the 12-week pathway or which specific service they need before making a referral. You Matter 2 staff will connect with the youth and family, learn more about their interests and needs, confirm eligibility, and help identify appropriate next steps.

Families can also connect directly with You Matter 2 to learn more.

More information about Healing, Support & Opportunity, the Healing & Support Pathway, and referrals is available at youmatter2.org/healing.

For referral and partnership questions, contact:

Dianna Harris
Community Outreach & Partnerships Specialist
You Matter 2
dharris@youmatter2.org
708-996-0143

About You Matter 2

You Matter 2 is a youth-serving nonprofit organization working to close opportunity gaps for middle and high school students throughout Chicago’s South Suburbs. Through youth development, enrichment, wellness, leadership, college and career readiness, workforce development, service, and community-building opportunities, You Matter 2 creates spaces where youth can discover their strengths, build meaningful relationships, and access opportunities that support their growth.