Hundreds of children and parents from various Latino organizations from throughout the Chicagoland area rallied last Thursday, Oct. 6 in protest of the decision of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to cut all their after-school programs by eliminating the Comprehensive Youth Development/Donated Funds Initiative program, which goes into effect October 31. Organizations, which include Casa Aztlan in Pilsen and El Futuro in Humboldt Park, have united together as The Latino Family Youth Services Coalition. The IDHS plans to cut over $488,000 dollars from the Comprehensive Youth Development/Donated Funds Initiative program, which will mean the immediate closure of nine after-school youth programs, prevention services, and community-based groups in the most at risk communities in Chicago. Over 1,000 youth in high-risk communities throughout the Chicagoland area will be affected by the cuts.