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Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) President John Anderson will be the keynote speaker at the second annual Youth Outreach Services (YOS) “Blueprints of the Future.” The event, designed to honor �糵���� area students who are overcoming barriers to achieve academic success and the individuals who support their educational journey, begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in Illinois Institute of Technology’s (IIT) McCormick Tribune Campus Center (MTCC), 3201 South State St., �糵����. The keynote presentation begins at 8 p.m.

In the keynote presentation, Anderson will address the importance of ensuring the education, safety, well-being and future success of all students, in �糵���� and elsewhere. He will also stress the value of offering children important support systems, including mentoring and tutoring programs and individual and family counseling and prevention services that help keep students in school and away from gangs, drugs and violence.

A non-profit human service agency dedicated to caring for youth in and around �糵���� since 1959, YOS has helped nearly 300,000 children find safe homes, remain in school, avoid substance abuse and gang involvement and make positive choices that strengthen themselves, their families and their community. YOS believes that continued education and academic enrichment programs are essential for youth development and is dedicated to providing the support children need to take the first step toward success.

Up to four outstanding students will receive YOS scholarships at the “Blueprints of the Future” event. These scholarships allow students who are working to overcome obstacles such as gangs, drugs, poverty, and abuse to further their education in a variety of ways, including college and trade school, education workshops, arts and culture courses and more. The students are invited to share their stories at the event.

Guests at “Blueprints of the Future” will enjoy cocktails and hors-d'oeuvres, followed by dinner and the keynote presentation. Tickets to the event are $100 per person or $750 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets, please contact YOS at (773) 777-7112, ext. 7270 or heatherryos.org.

For more information about YOS, visit .

Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting university with more than 7,300 students in engineering, sciences, architecture, psychology, design, humanities, business and law. IIT's interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum is designed to advance knowledge through research and scholarship, to cultivate invention improving the human condition, and to prepare students from throughout the world for a life of professional achievement, service to society, and individual fulfillment. Visit www.iit.edu.