Student Committee Awards Berkowitz Grant to Youth Outreach Services

By Ava Ori ’21 and Leila Sheridan ’21
The 2019–20 Berkowitz Committee is proud to announce that Youth Outreach Services (YOS) will receive the $10,000 Susan F. Berkowitz Award for Outstanding Service to Children. At the beginning of this school year, this student-run committee considered topics to explore for this year’s grant and decided to fund an organization dedicated to helping Chicago youth affected by drug abuse.
 
After reviewing many applicants, the committee determined that Youth Outreach Services was the most outstanding applicant in its line of work. Not only does YOS help youth feeling the impact of drug abuse, the organization also works to alleviate homelessness, food insecurities and family dysfunction. YOS inspired the committee because of its comprehensive approach to rehabilitation, identifying clients through referrals as well as its outreach program. Once YOS builds a connection with youth, it creates a blueprint for rehabilitation specifically tailored to the client. “We very much feel that everybody is individual, so what everybody needs doesn’t look the same,” said YOS Executive Advisor Jamie Noto. YOS provides various forms of therapy and plans social gatherings with teens their clients can relate to and bond with.
 
Even during these unprecedented times, YOS continues to support Chicago youth through online therapy and has left essential facilities open to support homeless youth and those who rely on the safety of the physical building. Now, more than ever, the mission of the Berkowitz Committee is vital to support those in Chicago. Knowing how impactful YOS has been in so many lives, the Berkowitz Committee is honored to be able to offer its support to this organization in trying times.
 
The Susan F. Berkowitz Award for Outstanding Service to Children is an annual award honoring the life and work of Dr. Susan F. Berkowitz. Dr. Berkowitz had a deep commitment to building hope and optimism in children by strengthening the bonds between family, school and community life. The intent of this award is to foster a wider appreciation for people who, on a day-to-day basis, show imagination and dedication towards youth. The grant aims to reward organizations that provide children with the strength, self-confidence and resources they need to sustain healthy learning and development—leading to future success.
 
Dr. Berkowitz was a clinical psychologist, parent and active member of the Parker community. She made many important and pivotal contributions to our school and to the lives of many children, teachers and parents. This award recognizes other individuals who build hope and optimism in adolescents and citizens in the Chicago area similar to the way Dr. Berkowitz positively impacted our community. Such work demonstrates the necessary commitment and imagination to ensure conditions that support positive growth, development and education.
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