About UCAN

The Youth Leadership Awards is UCAN’s flagship fundraiser held annually in June. This inspiring event is dedicated to celebrating the academic and personal achievements of UCAN’s outstanding youth. Each year, seven exceptional young people are recognized and receive scholarships for higher education.

UCAN is thrilled to present our ninth annual John D. Nichols Impact Award to Steans Family Foundation in recognition of their strong, consistent leadership and positive impact. The Foundation has been committed to UCAN’s youth for many years.

UCAN strives to achieve UCAN’s vision that youth who suffer trauma can become our future leaders by building strong youth and families through compassionate healing, education, and empowerment. Founded 153 years ago as a Civil War orphanage, UCAN is one of Chicago’s oldest, yet most innovative, social service agencies.

UCAN has grown into a multifaceted social service organization serving and impacting over 22,000 youth and families each year. We help our youth reach the Power of their Potential by strategically developing a holistic and lifelong relationship with each individual.

We believe that our inspiring programs help to break cycles of violence and abuse while instilling a powerful sense of hope for the future. We strive to help them become advocates for change by providing essential services to the communities in need. For example, UCAN therapists host virtual sessions for our youth; our residential programs con tine to provide shelter, and our violence interrupters are ever present in the streets reducing gun violence.