Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) believes that every young person deserves the chance to live a full, healthy life, and that begins with fair, just, and supportive systems that prioritize youth well-being.

This October, during Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM), we renew our commitment to advancing equity and justice for young people in Illinois impacted by the legal system. PHIMC continues to work toward dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline and building up systems that listen to, invest in, and empower youth as drivers of change in their communities.

PHIMC views youth as leaders with lived experience, whose insight is critical to reshaping the systems that affect them. Our work bridges innovation and collaboration to ensure that youth in Illinois:

• Experience safety, belonging, and affirmation in their communities.
• Receive inclusive, accessible physical and mental health care.
• Engage with platforms that support learning, leadership, and meaningful dialogue.

We focus on long-term change by connecting with youth, healthcare and community-based partners to create systems of care for young people.

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Chicago’s Next Generation Wellness Network increases the capacity of institutions, organizations, and providers to support youth in developing healthy relationships with substances. Learn more here. If you have interest in joining or engaging with our youth advisory board or community advisory board, please reach out to james.lones@phimc.org. 

PHIMC’s Community Reentry Project invites young people ages 18 to 24 to participate in our upcoming reentry project convenings, offering a meaningful opportunity to learn, collaborate, and contribute to real-world solutions that support young people who transition back into their communities following incarceration. Learn more here.