Organizing Youth, 
Impacting Neighborhoods









OYIN's Mentor Program staff members are dedicated to providing educational programs that uplift and inspire the young people who participate in the activities.

Mentor Program Staff

AKIZA BODDIE-WILLIS
Founder and Executive Director


In 2008, Akiza Boddie-Willis first acted on her idea to found an organization that would serve and uplift our youth when she began running a pilot mentor program at William Penn Elementary School on the west side of Chicago. With the help and support of administrators at that institution and professional adults who were willing to volunteer their time as mentors, the pilot ran successfully for 2 academic years and grew into Organizing Youth, Impacting Neighborhoods, a non-profit organization that strives to cultivate leaders who are self-aware innovators that give back to their neighborhoods and the global community.

 

For over 20 years, Ms. Boddie-Willis has shown her dedication to improving the student experience. Her background includes work as a teacher's aide for grammar school students, as a recruiter, program coordinator, and instructor for high school students, and as an adjunct professor, college advisor, mentor, tutor, supervisor, and program coordinator for undergraduate students. Her involvement in Organizing Youth, Impacting Neighborhoods is allowing her to continue to fulfill her dream of having a positive impact on others through mentoring and teaching.


Ms. Boddie-Willis earned her M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University and her B.S. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Cornell University.
AMILCAR BODDIE-WILLIS

Mentor

Amil previously mentored/taught grade school children about writing and art in general. He actually enjoyed working with the kids, so he volunteered to join OYIN's Mentor Program (formerly CBAA Chicago Mentor Program). He has been working with the program since it's inception in 2008.

Amil enjoys reading, writing, random Internet surfing (just for the fun of it), traveling, and movies. He has been to Colorado, New Orleans, Africa, and many other interesting places.


Amil graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School and is now a student at Columbia College Chicago, majoring in Fiction Writing. 
FAITH HARRIS
Mentor

Faith Harris loves young people! She believes that they come against too many unforeseen, uncontrollable circumstances and they are truly misunderstood. She believes she has a calling and duty to give back, be an example, be a servant, and to always show love to our youth. Some small act of attention and affection can make a huge difference in their lives.
 
Faith volunteered and worked with youth throughout high school and college. For three years since its existence, she has mentored with OYIN's Mentor Program (formerly CBAA Chicago Mentor Program). She also helped to develop the curriculum. She enjoys and is very grateful to volunteer, mentor, and interact with the mentees. She believes in the mission of this organization and sees the results in the mentees.
 
Faith has a B.S. in Hotel Administration from Cornell University.