our impact

Where do I even begin to express my gratitude for you and your incredible group of youth? They have shown up to volunteer at several events I’ve been involved with, and calling them a stellar group is truly an understatement. Will, under your guidance, these young people jump in wholeheartedly, bringing not just their time and dedication but also an infectious enthusiasm that makes every event both fun and successful.

Their commitment goes above and beyond—many times, they’ve come to me asking if there’s anything more they can do, eager to lend a hand wherever needed. My seniors especially loved them at our Senior Prom! From serving food and cleaning up to hitting the dance floor with us, they brought so much joy to everyone. I’m looking forward to our continued partnerships and all the amazing events to come. Kudos to you, Will, and to every young person in Tailoring Youth to Succeed. You are truly making a difference!” 

- Mary Stallings - Dundee Township Park District_Adult Activities Manager 10/29/2024

Mr. Will has helped me prepare for the real world. Tailoring Youth to Succeed (TYS) helped me get my first job at Brookfield Zoo this past summer. The workshops provided valuable training that secured my position as a Retail Associate and provided real-world experiences to help me grow and succeed. He has taught me how to be a productive young person in society and continues to provide mentorship. Overall, Mr. Will and Tailoring Youth to Succeed has changed my life, and I’m so thankful I came across this fantastic program!

- Leonor N.      2/1/2024

How can I start? The day I learned about Tailoring Youth To Succeed, I met Mr. Will, and it was an incredible experience just being able to talk to him and how great of a person he is. Mr. Will is a wonderful person who’ll help you find a job and build confidence, self-awareness, and self-management. 

He provided my first job at Brookfield Zoo (BKZ); I wasn’t nervous because I knew he would always be there for us no matter what. If we had a situation that we didn’t know how to fix, he would always offer guidance. My BKZ experience allowed me to meet new people and communicate better with those around me during the summer. I was able to develop interpersonal skills with diverse groups of people. TYS training provided additional opportunities for my next job opportunity after the summer. 

All of this shows how great of a person Mr. Will is because he would do anything for the people that he cares about, and that proves a lot. I am so thankful that I met a good person who continues to mentor me. He always gives me good advice whenever I see him and always looks out for me. Hopefully, I make him proud one day and be able to show the same amount of attention that he always gives to me.

May God bless Mr. Will. 

Sincerely, 

- Ruben C.         12/12/2023

My experience being a part of Tailoring Youth to Succeed has been outstanding; they've helped me get multiple jobs and build my job skills. I've volunteered numerous times at Hilltop Community Suppers, which significantly boost my self-confidence and pride of accomplishment. Most recently, I've attended the college tour of Notre Dame University to absorb the atmosphere on campus and hear firsthand impressions from the students themselves. My total experience has been a 9/10, and I recommend that other teens join. 

- Laniyah B.          11/25/2023

Working with Will Tunstall these past years has been a pleasure. It is inspiring to watch someone do what they love and show up for our youth. I had a chance to volunteer with Will for a workshop, and I was delighted to see how organized and determined he was. He went above and beyond. He always ensured the volunteers and members were comfortable and engaged. He asked questions to ensure everyone understood; if we didn't, he took the time to explain and answer all our questions. His passion is focused on "Tailoring Youth to Succeed," You can see that in his presentations, interactions, and commitment.

I can't wait to work with Will again.

- Ironee Baldwin          5/21/2023

I've known Mr. Will for over a year, and we have developed a meaningful and impactful relationship that has heavily benefited me. Mr. Will helped me realize many of my strengths I never thought to pursue and has pushed me to be a voice for change in my community. Along with encouraging me to push the boundaries of others around me to help create our vision. He has also brought out leadership qualities I never thought I had, and by discovering this, he has thoroughly guided me through being an effective leader. Finally, I appreciate his dedication to children in our community, but I mostly appreciate the times he held me accountable and kept me on the right track.

- Brody          3/12/2023

I have known Willie Tunstall for the past three years. During this time, Willie has demonstrated a high degree of dedication toward serving the needs of students in the Algonquin and Carpentersville area. I first met Willie when he began his time as a mentor for youth ages 12-18. Over three years, I watched him help develop a large-scale program dedicated to student mentorship, but his ambition continued beyond there. Mr. Tunstall's larger goal was and still is to support Black and Latina students to enter the workforce successfully.

In the three years we have worked together, Willie has developed partnerships with several local and state-wide programs to hire and support high school youth. His responsibility in this work has been to connect teens to these existing programs, assist them in completing the application process, and prepare them for the interview.

Mr. Tunstall has demonstrated the drive and willingness to go above and beyond for students. He often brings students to school board meetings so they can better learn about board meetings' functions. He is a regular at the African-American Parent Advisory Committee, often with students depending on the topic of discussion.

- Adrian H. 

Willie Tunstall has been like a father figure to me. He looks out for me and is like the father I've always wanted. When we talked, Willie genuinely listened, always making me feel heard and providing guidance. He stressed the importance of mental health and encouraged me to speak to someone about my anxiety, and offered resources. 

Willie helped me and my friends get our first summer job at Brookfield Zoo. He checked in with us weekly to ensure we had a good experience. Also, he speaks about the importance of volunteering; as a result, I found joy in volunteering at Feed My Starving Children and D300 Food Pantry. 

He is a fantastic mentor and role model that's made me a better person. He has done so much for us!

- Giselle

I was introduced to Mr. Willie Tunstall over a year ago at a parent meeting for District 300. During this meeting, Willie led a presentation about the high school programs for a Teen Center. Seeing Willie's passion for youth development and wanting teens to succeed convinced me to register my daughter. Willie's energy and approach challenged teens to thrive in life. As I witness my daughter given multiple opportunities to step out in some courageous ways because of his influence. I've known him to be a caring person who hears the concerns of others and wants to do things better.  

I recall my daughter hesitating during the winter season about attending the center because snow covered the path to the center. When I mentioned this to Willie, he ensured the custodians cleared the way for all the students. That act of care communicated a lot to me as a parent that someone would not only do something about it but handle it quickly.

Willie made a conscious effort to communicate any concerns about my daughter or the center. These actions conveyed he is a person of integrity and transparency while keeping parents informed while they were in his care. He'd keep me informed if my daughter didn't attend the center. Willie is a person of commitment and follows through on his word; moreover, he expected that from my daughter in return. For that, I am grateful for his contribution.

- Roger S.

Willie Tunstall has taught me stuff that no other person could. He modeled what hard work looks like and how to be successful. I wanted to find a job to help my mother with the personal things needed as a teen; as a result, Willie helped me get my first job at Brookfield Zoo. 

Willie took the time to meet and understand my family and learn about our situation. He takes time to get to know teens and their families deeper than most. No one brings laughter and joy to others like him; he always knows how to help when he sees you're having a troubled day. Willie goes out of his way to make sure teens are okay. Willie showed me that we could trust him when we were in his care. 

I flew to Washington, DC, with three other teens for an advocacy conference, and the experience was unforgettable because I knew someone cared about me. I've never seen a person with more compassion, effort, and love for a job, teens, or community. He's an authentic and vivid person with a constant positive attitude even after a bad day. 

- Joe 

Willie Tunstall has a caring personality, displays intelligence, and is inspirational. He has a way of speaking that inspires you; talking to him always helps me in challenging situations. He lets you know that you can do anything even if you cannot at that moment; he encourages you to push forward. I haven't experienced that quality in other adult mentors.

Willie noticed I was going through some difficult situations at home and school. I wasn't able to talk to anyone about it. He helped me set goals that would overcome these obstacles. Then we would meet biweekly. Willie has significantly shaped my life during the time I've known him. He created an inclusive space that promoted belonging and advocacy for myself and others. 

He told me all the characteristics he saw in me, things I had never thought about myself. Willie taught me that I have potential and helped me embrace my skills; as a result, I view situations from a different perspective. Not only that, Willie ensured everyone had a voice. He puts a smile on everyone's faces because of how cheerful he is; he's a confident, dependable person. Willie has earned my trust, and I trust that he will help me through any problem.

- Jimena

Willie Tunstall holds teenagers to a high standard; as a result, we learned accountability goes both ways. Since he is someone we rely on, he never once failed us.

I worked at Brookfield Zoo this summer. Willie met with participants every Monday to check in regarding our experiences on the job. He always asked us if everything was okay, he helped us advocate for ourselves in negative and positive situations then he would discuss these situations with upper management to ensure our voices were heard.

I was having a difficult day at work and quit during my shift; Willie called and messaged me immediately to ensure I was emotionally okay. His priority wasn’t why I left; he just wanted to ensure I was okay. 

- Christian M.