Outside of School Time
eLEAP Collective

Building an aligned out-of-school time ecosystem in Evanston.

Evanston Cradle to Career and Northwestern University unite out-of-school time organizations, families, youth, and community partners in a collaborative ecosystem that expands access to high-quality learning, enrichment, and community experiences. By reducing barriers like cost, language, and transportation, we help all children, youth, and teens participate, thrive, and grow.

Mission

YWCA Evanston/North Shore
Evanston/Skokie School District 65
Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.)
Kuumba Evanston
Girls Play Sports
Fellowship of African American Men (FAAM) Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
McGaw YMCA
Evanston Art Center
Family Focus
Evanston Latinos

Partners

Evanston is rich with after-school and summer programs — but the system around them can be hard to navigate.

Families often face:

  • Multiple applications and enrollment systems

  • Limited visibility into what programs are available

  • Transportation and scheduling barriers

  • Uneven access to enrichment opportunities

Organizations often face:

  • Duplicated efforts and limited coordination

  • Difficulty tracking shared impact

  • Competition for limited resources

No single program can solve these challenges alone. The eLEAP OST Collective exists to solve them together.

What an Aligned Ecosystem Makes Possible

  • Fewer barriers for families to find and enroll in programs

  • Greater access to opportunities for every young person

  • Better communication across providers

  • Smoother pathways for youth to participate and stay engaged

  • Stronger developmental outcomes for children and teens

  • A more connected Evanston community

Our Goals

  1. Shared outcomes across OST providers

  2. Coordinated family engagement and enrollment systems

  3. Stronger communication between organizations

  4. Increased access and exposure for youth

  5. Data-informed collaboration

  6. Sustainable partnerships rooted in community needs

Join Us

What problem are we solving together that none of us can solve alone?

If your organization serves Evanston youth outside the school day, there's a seat at the table for you. Partners help shape a shared vision, align on commitments, and build the systems that make it easier for every family to connect with opportunity.

Contact us to learn more about joining the eLEAP OST Collective.

Why it Matters