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Youth In Motion (YIM)

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In its 21st year, Youth in Motion (YIM) is a summer-only multimedia technology and peer leadership program for teens ages 15-18. YIM integrates video and digital media into a project-based curriculum that engages youth in telling their stories in their own voice. YIM provides a safe haven for youth and a supportive learning environment. Media production also teaches teens how to understand messages in media that mold images about Black youth and their neighborhood.

 

Teens learn all levels of pre-production, production and post-production in the creative process of media making. Teens have a chance to be in front of a camera through acting, interviewing or working behind the scenes by producing, directing, filming and editing. Students participating in “Youth In Motion” for two years are more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to get into crime. Students have enrolled in University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, Savannah College, Washington University, Hampton University, City Colleges of Chicago, University of Chicago and Columbia College Chicago.

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Allstate Youth Filmmakers Program & Showcase 

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Youth from the Summer Camp and Youth In Motion participate in the Allstate Youth Filmmakers Program and Showcase at the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute as a part of the annual Black Harvest Film Festival. Each summer, this partnership provides mentoring sessions conducted by four award-winning, African-American filmmakers: Barbara Allen, Lonnie Edwards, Derek Grace and Shahari Moore. Participants' videos are shown at the Allstate Youth Filmmakers Showcase held at the Gene Siskel Film Center before the opening of the Black Harvest Film Festival in August.

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Summer Film Camp  

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The Summer Film Camp is a six-week summer program for youth ages 12-14. The program integrates video, digital media and media literacy into a project-based curriculum focused on the arts, youth journalism and physical activity. Pre-teens participate in physical activities and swimming at Harris Park. Field trips help participants explore Chicago neighborhoods as well as use their camera to document the adventures and conduct “man-on-the-street" interviews.