Obama delivers message of encouragement to Chicago at-risk youth

Former President Barack Obama took time on Sunday to meet with at-risk young men and boys in Chicago ahead of his first major speech after leaving office, ABC News reports.

Obama delivered an uplifting message at the roundtable meeting with Create Real Economic Destiny, an organization that provides job skills training and employment opportunities based in Chicago’s south side where Obama started as a community organizer.

From ABC News:

Spokesman Kevin Lewis says Obama listened to the young men’s stories and shared some of the challenges that he faced growing up. Obama “was optimistic about their potential to positively contribute to their communities and support their families because of the services provided in the program,” Lewis said.

Lewis added that the former president and first lady plan to work with similar organizations through the Obama Foundation and the My Brother’s Keeper initiative.

Obama is schedule to speak Monday at the University of Chicago to young community leaders and organizers.

SOURCE:  ABC News, Associated Press

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Happy Presidents' Day! 44 Photos To Make You Miss Obama

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Happy Presidents' Day! 44 Photos To Make You Miss Obama

1. Barack Gives Daughter Malia a Kiss

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2. Michelle and Barack tell the kids a story

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3. Michelle and Barack Kiss

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4. Michelle and Barack

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5. First Family Portrait

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6. Two Terms

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7. Michelle and Barack host a State Dinner

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8. Barack Obama and Michelle Obama

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9. The Obamas on Air Force One

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10. The First Family in London

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11. First Lady Michelle Obama with daughters Malia Obama and Sasha Obama

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12. Sasha and Malia Obama at the 2016 State Dinner

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13. Turkey Pardoning

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14. Sunday Church

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15. Gobble, Gobble

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16. Malia Obama, the First Daughter

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17. Barack Obama and his daughter Malia Obama

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18. A Family Affair

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19. Flashback To The Old Days

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20. Happy Birthday!

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21. Candidly Awesome

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22. Historic First Family

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23. Ice Cream Treat

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24. TV Time

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25. Always Giving Back

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26. A Christmas Story

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27. Hawaii Trip!

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28. Obama Loves Team USA & His Wife

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29. Malia and Sasha Obama

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30. Michelle Plays on a Bike

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31. Obama Loves Team USA, His Wife & Malia

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32. Reading Time

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33. Family Support

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34. The Sister Selfie

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35. Supporting Mom

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36. Giving Back On MLK Day

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37. Obamas Give Back To The Community

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38. Always Supporting Small Businesses

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39. Obama Swagger

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40. Laughs & Turkeys

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41. Christmas With The Obamas

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42. 50th Anniversary Of March On Selma

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Happy Presidents' Day! 44 Photos To Make You Miss Obama