KEY School Year Program

The Knowledge Empowers Youth (KEY) Program utilizes the circle process, a restorative justice practice, which invites students to process their feelings, experiences, and circumstances in a designated, consistent safe space. The program addresses trauma of all kinds, specifically gun violence, and intentionally builds students’ toolbox of mindfulness, healthy coping skills, and opportunities to flourish by tapping into students’ strengths and leadership.

The KEY Program partners with three high schools and one elementary school in Bronzeville to provide programming. KEY builds up leadership and community engagement in students through a community impact project that is entirely designed and implemented by students. Using our original KEY curriculum, a restorative space invites students to increase their understanding and knowledge of their identity & community and the interconnected relationship between the two.

The KEY Program provides additional opportunities for our high school participants to deepen engagement through After-School and Saturday Sessions at our office; one-on-one mentoring; experiential trips; and tangible care for our youth in Bronzeville via care packages.