C-Y-we Celebrate!

CYC loves when other people recognize just how incredible our staff is! This summer, Dushunda Henderson, Director of Community Schools, was nominated by her peers to be in the running for the Brother Mike Award. The Brother Mike Award (BMA) is a prestigious award to celebrate those who are active in our Chicago communities as outstanding role models and mentors. The BMA is hosted by the Chicago Learning Exchange in honor of Mike Hawkins, a fierce advocate for youth and Out-of-School Time programs.  

Surrounded by her CYC family, Dushunda attended the BMA ceremony and finished in the top 5 of nominees! We are beyond proud of Dushunda and all that she has accomplished. 

Dushunda has helped our organization grow in countless ways in each position she’s held, especially while overseeing CYC’s Out-of-School-Time (OST) Enrichment Program at our school-based sites. Over her 17 years as a CYC Leader, Dushunda has continuously demonstrated her commitment to serving children and families throughout Chicago. She is a strong advocate for the children that she works with, building partnerships and relationships that span the city. Because she is such a positive force within her community, she is the embodiment of what working in community means for CYC. 

The connection Dushunda forms and empathy she has for each child and family she works with is unmatched, and you can see her influence daily. She is a marvelous mentor with a strong internal voice that drives her to make an impact by showing devotion through her actions, always bridging community need with resources. 

We are honored to celebrate Dushunda as part of our CYC family. Congratulations, you deserve it!