Spring 2005

Y.O.U. honors Northwestern for youth service

Y.O.U. (Youth Organizations Umbrella, Inc.), a social service agency that provides guidance, support and advocacy for Evanston youth has honored Northwestern University with its 2005 Jay Moore Award.

The Moore Award is given annually to a person or group “for outstanding contributions in the area of creative service to youth.” It is named for the late Jay Moore, one of the founders of Y.O.U.

In making the award, Y.O.U. noted the volunteer efforts of faculty, staff and particularly the hundreds of Northwestern students who have worked at Y.O.U. as volunteers, work-study students, America Reads tutors and interns over the last 33 years, including nearly 50 this year.

In addition, the youth service group has received financial support from the Suitcase Party, Kellogg’s Business With A Heart, many fraternities and sororities, and the University itself, through sponsoring tables at annual dinners. The Univer-sity has also made available tickets to sporting events, concerts and plays. 

Summer camp scholarships are provided by Northwestern coaches to Y.O.U. young people who also attend the athletic Field Day held each June at Northwestern.  

Other support to Y.O.U. from Northwestern has been provided by Campus Kitchens and the Project Pumpkin Halloween party at Norris Center.

Y.O.U. Executive Director Don Baker said, “Northwestern University has become our more important institutional partner in service to vulnerable young people. Equally to the point, other youth service institutions (including Family Focus, Youth Job Center, YMCA and both school districts) have a similar relationship with the University. Northwestern University truly has shown ‘both tenacity and creativity over many years’ on behalf of young people in Evanston.”