DUCAP outlines youth events, Glendale Heights announces teen leadership partnership

Chris Billingsley, community engagement director with DUCAP, told the Glendale Heights Village Board on Jan. 8 that the organization focuses on youth initiatives and community engagement and highlighted two upcoming programs: a "crochet and cookies" event in early February and an "internship for the day" job-shadowing initiative for Glendale Heights high-school students. Billingsley provided the organization's website (ducap.org) for more information.

Mayor Giannelli thanked DUCAP and partners including the Glendale Heights Chamber and village staff for their 2025 support and said the village is partnering with DUCAP to establish a teen leadership summit "to allow us to really engage the youth in Glendale Heights to help make sure that they're getting equitable access to resources and opportunities." The mayor noted that six residents volunteered to serve on the village's new Capital Vision Committee and encouraged broader participation in that committee's next meeting.

DUCAP's events aim to introduce young residents to community engagement and career exposure through local job-shadowing opportunities. For more information on the programs, Billingsley directed listeners to ducap.org.

Next steps: village–DUCAP partnership planning and Capital Vision Committee meetings (next scheduled Feb. 18) will be avenues for resident input and program development.