FOUS Youth Development Services

One Person Can Make a Difference

Youth Development...

 is a process that prepares a young person to   meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood and achieve his or her full potential.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."     John Quincy Adams


Annette Kelly

In 2003, Founder and President Annette Kelly started FOUS Youth Development Services. Annette has always had a passion for youth and decided to develop her own organization that would provide services to at-risk youth between the ages 12-21 who live in high needs communities. As a result, FOUS was developed and founded on the mission of engaging youth in their own development by providing an array of opportunities and supports that promote the development of young people.


I actually believe that one person can make a difference in the life of another. As a youth, I experienced it.

We make quality programming a priority!

Our founder

organization History

2003 - FOUS Youth Development Services became a reality.


2007 - The first afterschool program was offered at  Harper High School in the Englewood Community. 4Us Girls Club continued growing to elementary and high schools across the City of Chicago.


2008 - Annette Kelly was honored by Ebony Magazine and the makers of Pine-Sol 'Unsung Heroes Making A Difference" in schools, and communities.


2011 - FOUS continued to add relevant programs and services (The Journey Mentoring Program, and Advancing Youth Development Certification Training).


2018  - Annette Kelly was selected to participate in  Force for Good. Funded by U.S. Department of Justice grants since 2011, "Chicago Force for Good (FFG)" is a Chicago Police Department Program to Strengthen Community- and Faith-Based Not-for-Profits (NFPs) that serve in communities of higher than average crime, especially violent crime. Through competitive selection, FFG has provided capacity-building services to NFP applicants, to improve their ability to support community cohesiveness, stability, and public safety throughout Chicago's communities.


2021Annette Kelly was selected as a member of the Goldin Institute 2021 Chicago Peace Fellows. She is one of 22 grassroots leaders from 14 community areas on the South and West sides of Chicago dedicated to addressing the root causes of violence.


2023  - Annette Kelly was selected to the Boys and Men of Color (BMOC) Executive Director Collaboration Circle. This initiative is funded by ​Foundation Center South, a service of Candid, in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This unique program helps build the capacity of nonprofits/organizations/social institutional leaders to serve and achieve stronger outcomes for boys and men of color.