In the summer of 2026 a cohort of twenty-five 16-24 year olds completed over 30 hours of training and applied practice in North Lawndale’s Community Member to Coach program, funded by the Steans Family Foundation. A learn-and-earn paid experiential learning program, our “Coach Apprentices” not only learned positive youth development practices and research-based coaching modalities; they experienced them in action. Each training session incorporated active engagement in gameplay alongside intentional discussion and reflection regarding how key coaching skills look and feel in real time.
Then, Coach Apprentices had the opportunity to practice their new skills in real time at Community Play Day events where they co-led sports activity stations for younger kids under the supervision of trained coaches. They The Community Play Days themselves provided safe and joyful spaces for neighborhood connection and resource sharing. In the summer of 2026, over 700 community members attended across our four events, providing over 200 referrals to local resources and services (housing, healthcare, mental health, etc.).
“The program helped me be able to get out in the community more while having an income as well.” – Coach Apprentice
In our third year of the Community Member to Coach in North Lawndale program, the 2026 cohort represented more youth voice than ever before. Nearly one third of our Coach Apprentices were returning participants who not only led by example at Play Days and participated readily in training sessions, but even recruited their own friends to participate in the program!
Based on youth feedback, this year’s program also included supplemental resources for participants: Coach Apprentices learned about financial literacy from JPMorgan Chase, engaged with community leaders, and explored post-secondary education and employment opportunities at a culminating networking fair.
Over the course of the 8-week program, 50% of youth participants secured a new job or enrolled in a new class; and 95% reported gaining skills to support future employment opportunities.
“I used all the coaching skills I learned in the program toward my park district job such as building a safe space & encouraging the kids. It taught me to be in the perspective of a coach and how to be a great role model for children.” – Coach Apprentice
At the beginning of the program, the most common motivations participants cited for joining were the chance to earn money, develop job skills, and pursue an interest in coaching/sports. By the final training session, apprentices shared what they enjoyed most about the program. While the ‘learn and earn’ aspect was still key for participants, they also highlighted the opportunity to help their community and learning job skills they could immediately add to their resumes.
The opportunity to build positive relationships with peers and adult mentors were also prominent themes. 91% of participants reported building a meaningful connection with a peer through this program; and 100% said they did so with a caring adult. These peer and adult relationships are not only key protective factors for youth, but also key drivers of experience, leading to a 92% overall satisfaction rate.
“I enjoyed my experience again this year. I met new friends and kids that I might run into again. I’ll always be down to come back!” – Coach Apprentice
Several members of the 2026 Coach Apprentice cohort have the opportunity to do just that, and are joining the inaugural Coaches Lab cohort at Urban Initiatives next month! In this program, they will get to extend the learn-and-earn experience across the school year, expanding on and deepening their learnings from the summer.
