Youth programs as alternative spaces to be - A study of neighborhood youthprograms in Chicago's west town

This article presents the findings of a year-long, qualitative study of a n etwork of neighborhood youth programs in a low-income, Latino neighborhood in Chicago. It discusses the characteristics of youth served by the program s, the programs' daily functioning, how youth workers construct and carry o ut their roles, the nature of youth-worker-youth relationships, and impleme ntation issues. The authors also reflect on the strengths and limitations o f the programs, and their role in the fives of youth served.