Empowering Young Men In Ending Sexual Exploitation

Progress Report on the Implementation of

CAASE’s Prevention Curricula:

Empowering Young Men to End Sexual Exploitation and

Empowering Young Women to End Sexual Exploitation

November, 2016

This week marked the beginning of another school year, and Chicago’s half-million students are back in their desks.  CAASE’s educators hope to build upon the success of last year and expand the total number of school partners.  The team has already begun scheduling workshops with existing partners, and has had promising meetings with potential partners.  Some of those partners are urban Preparatory high Schools in Bronzeville and Englewood. Chicago’s Math and Science Academy, DRW College Preparatory, and starting in January we will be at Lakeview High School. We do not see it stopping there. With a solid team and great support, we anticipate partnering up with several more schools and expand our program.

So far since the start of this 2016-2017 school year we have delivered our program to over 300 high school students and look forward to serving more. Some of their responses have been, “I never realized how big a problem this was”, “Will you be able to come again? We really enjoy you guys”, and, “How can I volunteer with this organization?”

One of the greatest reasons we are able to deliver our curriculum to these students and feel confident in our delivery and growth is because of the team’s increase in size.  This year, with your support we have been able to enhance CAASE’s education department by expanding it to a two-man staff program, plus interns. In September Milton Coronado joined our team as educator. He comes with a professional and extensive history of working in social services and education. We are excited about his contribution to the achievement of the goals CAASE strives for every day and together we can achieve that goal.  We have been taking advantage of several trainings and given the sensitive nature of topics covered in the Empowering Youth programs; this was incredibly helpful to the whole team.

In addition to delivering our curriculum in high schools, our prevention program has been quite busy presenting informative seminars and educating others on human trafficking and sexual exploitation. This not only invited our prevention department to be educated in these sensitive and critical areas, but they are opportunities for CAASE to grow and make a bigger and stronger impact in the community.

As always, thank you for your continued support of our prevention education efforts.  It is only through your generosity that together we are able to reach thousands of students each year and equip and empower them to stand as allies against sexual violence and exploitation.