Nikki Hale

Nikki Hale is currently the Manager of training programs for Chicago Area Project responsible for coordinating and delivering professional development opportunities that support  a system of  youth work training in the City of Chicago and Chicago land area.

Nikki grew up in England where she trained as a Youth and Community Worker at Manchester Polytechnic.  After graduation she worked as a youth worker at a community arts center and with a professional touring theater company. Nikki was responsible for developing and facilitating programs for youth and staff.  In 1988, she began to identify the need for new challenges in her work and saw an advertisement for an eighteen month exchange program through the American Youth Work Center in Washington, DC.  In 1989, Nikki ended up in Chicago at Youth Outreach Services where she worked as a street outreach worker.  She had no intention of staying, but 20 years later was still there. She had grown, developed new skills and taken on new responsibilities and roles within the agency: Prevention Specialist, Substance Abuse Counselor and then a Manager/Supervisor. 

Today, Nikki continues her commitment to growing as a youth worker by making sure that she is in environments that encourage her voice, support her work and challenge her to grow.