CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Jun 4, 2014) - Mark Matuscak Board Member and Riki Ellison, Founder of the Youth Impact Program (YIP) have chosen to partner with Northwestern University to provide a fantastic summer camp that offers STEM classroom education, leadership and life skills training, and football training for at-risk boys at Northwestern University's Evanston campus from July 7th - July 18th (www.youthimpactprogram.org).

Youth Impact Program, a not for profit organization, covers one hundred percent of all camp expenses, so these young men can have the experience of a student athlete. This year the program will be hosting 65 incoming 6th, 7th and 8th grade boys from North Lawndale Chicago, and another 60 students from the Evanston Public School district.

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education will be led by Chicago and Evanston Public School teachers and supported by Northwestern football athletes serving as teaching assistants in the classroom. It is anticipated that the instructor to student ratio will be 1:6, which will give each student the attention they deserve in the classroom and on the field.

Northwestern football staff and 23 current players will run and conduct college style non-contact football practice in the afternoons. It is anticipated that the coach to player ratio will be 1:4. During the camp, and throughout the year, the Northwestern football players will continue to serve as mentors and role models for the boys.

Youth Impact Program tackles the toughest challenges. North Lawndale is a community in need of quality youth summer programming. The community has significant economic and social challenges -- it has one of the highest crime rates, the average income is $12,500 and over thirty eight percent (38%) of its residents live below poverty with 18 percent unemployment.

On May 30, 2014, YIP Board member and Chicago resident Mark Matuscak, CEO of Benefitdecisions, along with YIP founder and three time Super Bowl Champion Riki Ellison hosted Youth Impact Program's inaugural Chicago event which included dinner and celebration at North Lawndale College Preparatory High School. The theme was to create an NFL draft and national high school letter of intent experience for the boys and their parents. Each boy was individually called up onto the stage where he was given a Northwestern hat, and then posed for pictures with the Northwestern players and Riki Ellison. Each boy also signed a letter of intent committing to Youth Impact Program's values and code of conduct with their family members present and in full support.

Ellison said, "There was a special look in their eyes and confidence in their walk as they reached the stage, after being drafted that acknowledged that they were part of something great. At the end of the camp, I want each boy to not only dream big, but to become a dream maker!"

Matuscak said, "Just like in business, leadership is about assessing conditions, recognizing opportunities and then developing strategy to achieve your goals. I understand the struggles and hardships in North Lawndale from the perspective of a Chicago resident, business leader and father, and I know that YIP can change the lives of young boys which can lead to positive and sustainable change in the community and that's why I decided to spearhead the effort of bringing YIP to Chicago. Now is the time for business leaders to step forward, create solutions and lead the way to change in our communities if Chicago is to continue to be a world class city. Youth Impact Program fills a huge void in quality summer programs and we look forward to working with the great people in North Lawndale."

Key Camp dates are: July 7^th - YIP Opening Day Ceremony for the boys on at the NU Evanston campus. On July 11^th the boys will be visiting Halas Hall with some of the Chicago Bears players. The program will close out with an Award ceremony on July 18^th at the NU Evanston campus. Camp runs daily from 8:00am to 4:30pm.