Connecting, inspiring and empowering Chicago's future leaders

YOU(th) is a unique program that provides 500 high school students from underrepresented communities in Chicago direct access to Chicago Ideas Week programming, the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes of companies and organizations, and a direct pipeline to our globally recognized speakers for more intimate small group interactions.

The goal of the CIW YOU(th) program is to empower students to seek new opportunities, pursue their passions and walk away with a newly inspired outlook and sense of their own potential.

Ideas Day gives students the power to create change in their schools

This year marks the inaugural Ideas Day, a new CIW YOU(th) initiative which brings Chicago Ideas-style events into schools throughout Chicago

2015 Edison Talks

The pulse is energetic. You feel it in the air because you know once you walk out on stage all eyes are on you. It feels good to know you’re inspiring others.

Taffanisha Harrington

Richards Career Academy (12th Grade)
YOU(th) Ambassador

The Ambassador program has given me a new perspective on my surroundings and showed me how I can impact my community. I also had the chance to meet some pretty interesting people.”

Nikia Smith

Perspectives Math and Science Academy (11th Grade)
YOU(th) Ambassador

The Ambassador program has meant so much to me! When I first joined the program, I was very shy and didn’t like meeting new people. I am more comfortable meeting new people and going outside my comfort zone.

Erica Seals

Chicago Tech Academy High School (12th Grade)
2015 Participant

Seeing Lynsey Addario and the photographs she has taken around the world was inspirational. I learned about a career I hadn't previously known about

Misael Soto

Amundsen High School (11th Grade)

More Than Just Events

Members of the YOU(th) program are mentored and celebrated. We recently gathered at Nike Chicago to recognize our 2017 YOU(th) Ambassadors.

CIW YOU(th) Professional Development Event at Edelman Chicago

Wear your support on your wrist

Wear it and share it! Support the Chicago Ideas YOU(th) Program by purchasing our one-of-a-kind bracelet

Support CIW YOU(th)

CIW YOU(th) Partners

CIW YOU(th) would not be possible without our Sponsors, Partner Organizations and generous Lab Hosts.

YOU(th) Lab Hosts

Thank you to all of our Lab hosts for providing our students incredible behind the scenes access:

A Day in the Cook County Government
Cooking with Lifeway Kefir at The Chopping Block
Designing your Career with IIT Architecture Chicago
Emergency Games with CTA
Engage in Commuity Centered Design with CannonDesign and Civic Consulting Alliance
Flying Through O'Hare
Food as Medicine with North Lawndale Youth Farm
Inspiration, Imagination, Innovation: Real World Enginnering for Tomorrow's Innovators
Learn How to Develop Video Games with Iron Galaxy Studios
Managing Your Future: Building Innovative Solutions
Mobile Photography with Elise Swopes
Record a Track with the Chicago Recording Company
School of Rock's Instant Rock Lab
See Google as a Playground
The YOU Show with Comedy Sportz
Visual Note-Taking with Ink Factory
Wellness 101