Over the years, YSC has developed numerous community and citywide partnerships with groups like Unity West collaborative, Inc. and the Horner Association of Men (HAM). Educational partnerships were also formed including ones with the University of Illinois and Malcolm X College. YSC is also a partner in health with the Mile Square Health Center thus ensuring that community residents receive preventive and intervention health services.

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Accomplishments

Accomplishments of Youth Service Committee of the WestSide (YSC) include:

• Providing counseling and juvenile court advocacy to more than 1,000 youth and their families.
• Job placement for more than 1,500 youth and young adults in full-time employment. Creation of numerous other indigenous-based self-help organizations like Unity West collaborative, Inc.
• Hosting several citywide youth conferences and retreats for hard-to-reach youth.
• Development of the Henry Horner/Mile Square Sports and Fitness Council, a collaboration with local elementary and high schools, the Chicago Park District, youth agencies, churches, health centers, colleges, and universities.
• Creation of the model for School Violence Prevention/Gang Intervention Program, Gang Diversion/After-Hours Program 1974 (Midnight Basketball).
• Providing a Food Pantry for more than 1,000 families.
• Creation of a three-year drop-out prevention program - "Operation 2nd Chance" Offering GED and ABE literacy programs for community youth and adults.
• Establishing the first drug rehabilitation program in the City of Chicago in 1972.
• Establishing, in partnership with the City of Chicago, the first local neighborhood latchkey programs.

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James "Major" Adams

As a young boy, "Major" Adams worked closely with his father at Hull House, a Chicago settlement house. His work captured the attention of Jane Addams, a social worker known for her public activism on behalf of poor immigrants to this country. Ms. Addams took a special interest in "Major's" growth and development and was inspirational in his efforts to reach his full potential as a contributing member of the Near West Side and Horner communities.

With a strong interest in music that resulted from his association with the Chicago Conservatory of Music, "Major" organized a 900=member youth Honor Guard unit which later evolved into the Hornets Drum & Bugle corp. The Hornets have received numerous awards and performed for many dignitaries including presidents, mayors, and others in Chicago and nationally.

During his more than 40 years in community social work on Chicago's West Side, "Major" was the primary founder of Youth Service Committee of the West Side, Miles Square Federation, Men's Improvement Council, and the Salvation Army Foods program. The James "Major" Adams Youth & Family Academy is a tribute to "Major" by a cadre of community individuals who have been significantly impacted by him and recognize the need to enhance and expand his mentorship and give back to the community.

Some of the awards the "Major" has received include:

• Henry Horner Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni dedication Service Award
• The KEEL Award from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center
• Chicago Housing Authority Distinguished Community Service Award
• Chicago Area Project Volunteer of the Year Award
• United Way of Chicago Rothschild Volunteer Recognition Award
• Malcolm X college Shule Ya Watoto Award

"Major" has been featured in the Emmy Award winning segment of Channel 2 that was produced by Warner Saunders in 1974 ("Major"). He was also featured in the novel There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz. According to a February 1996 article written by Gilbert Jimenez, Mayor Richard M. Daley named "Major" a hero when Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed asked if he had any heroes.

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James "Major" Youth & Family Academy

Academy History
The James "Major" Youth & Family Academy, formerly known as the Henry Horner Club, is a joint partnership between the Horner Association of Men and Youth Service Committee of the West Side. The Academy is committed to continuing the legacy of "Major" Adams - enhancing and expanding services to children, youth, and families residing in the Near West Side community.

The partnership responsible for the development of the Academy represents a cadre of individuals who have been significantly impacted by "Major" Adams' commitment and dedication to the Henry Horner community, most of whom recognize the need to enhance and expand his mentorship, and give back to the community. Through the development of this partnership, community members will be able to continue the tradition of service and commitment to children, youth, and families that has been demonstrated by "Major" Adams over the years.

Academy Mission
The mission of the Academy is to empower community members to develop their own thinking capacities, to enable them to become self-reliant, independent, self-accountable, responsible, family-oriented, and culturally aware persons.

Academy Programs and Services

Academic Skills Enhancement
The Academy partners with Malcolm X college and other educational institutions to offer after-school homework and tutorial assistance to youth and families in the Horner community.

Through a partnership with Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, the Academy houses a science and math laboratory to ensure that superior science and math education is offered to its community members.

Computer Learning Center
The Computer Learning Center offers the latest in computer and telecommunications technologies. Through the Center, community members can organize thought and process information while simultaneously accessing the Super Information Highway.

Life Skills Development
The Life Skills Development initiative offers training to community members on safety skills practices, accessing emergency services, home safety practices, health care, and self-administration of medication, and health and child care needs for young people.

Employment Training and Job Placement
The Academy assists community members in becoming economically independent and self-sufficient by developing employment opportunities for its constituents. The program's objective is to increase the employment and retention of individuals and families who are out of school, out of work, or recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).

Mentoring
The Mentoring initiative helps shape individuals for future self-sufficiency by challenging community members to take responsibility for their own social and intellectual development while helping others in need of support.

Music Education
The Academy provides music instruction and programming in instrumental music, marching drills, and formations and maneuvers, as well as individual and group ensembles.

Sports Medicine - Fitness& Wellness
The purpose of this initiative is to enhance the physical wellness of community members by incorporating principles of physical fitness, proper nutrition and safety by emphasizing the basic physical training components of strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular activity.

Recreational Services
To ensure that young people develop appropriate socialization skills, the Academy offers ongoing recreational services for all young people between the ages of six and 18 years old.

Rites of Passage
Reflecting an Afrocentric, spiritually-based approach to personal development, the Academy teaches the seven principles of Nguzo Saba: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.

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Contact YSC

Youth Service Committee of the West Side (YSC)
1832 West Washington Boulevard Chicago, Illinois 60612
Phone: 312-666-9552
Fax: 312-666-9812

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