Preparing tomorrow's leaders

A comprehensive curriculum to develop the next generation of leaders and stewards

Earning while learning

With an ultimate goal to address social inequities and violence prevention, Concordia Place offers earn and learn opportunities so teens can develop the important practical and life skills that drive academic, career, and personal achievement.

Affordable and accessible

Teen Leadership programming is offered year round and at no cost.  By ensuring affordability and accessibility in a safe, structured, and supervised environment, Teen Leadership contributes to the wellbeing and safety of Chicago teens in our community.

  • Creating Leaders – Teens are on-track to graduate from high school and are confident in their ability to achieve their future goals.
  • Employability – Teens develop social and emotional competencies that drive academic, career and personal achievement.
  • Social Responsibility – Teens value being of service to their community, and respect different opinions and attitudes.
  • Ecology – Teens become environmental stewards and understand how their actions impact the earth.
  • Healthy Lifestyle – Teens are armed with skills for a nutritious and healthy lifestyle.

Proactive Outcomes

With four programs offered during critical out of school time, Teen Leadership allows teens to flourish as they explore their inspiration. 

While program content varies, all engage teens in hands-on activities based on a curriculum informed by MHA Labs, a research-based framework of six core social, emotional, and cognitive skill domains proven to drive academic, career, and personal success.

Interim Teen Programs Director:
Max Friedland

Max joined Concordia Place in January 2017. He earned a BA in History with a minor in Political Science from Beloit College. Max has taught in China and was the Chef Instructor and Inventory Manager at the Kids Table program in Chicago before overseeing the Culinary Leaders Apprenticeship program at Whipple. 

Max manages Teen Leadership staff while generating ideas to keep the program fresh, leading edge, and relevant to community needs.

Shop Ruckus!

Support a Teen-run Enterprise. You buy one, we give one! With every product purchase, the same product is donated to an organization that helps people in need. We believe that everyone should have access to healthy, natural products regardless of their financial status which is why we are proud of our BOGO mission.

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