Chicago’s youth employment rates have largely increased this year, due to the One Summer Chicago (OSC) program. According to the office of Mayor Brandon Johnson, more people have been employed through the program this year than last. More than 24,000 participants were employed through the program in 2023, a 19% increase, and around 4,000 more participants.
One Summer Chicago’s Employment
The One Summer Chicago program is 12 summer running program a partnership between the Mayor’s office, the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Housing Authority, corporate sponsors, etc. The program offers employment, internship, and skills to youth from 14 to 24 years old.
Mayor Johnson expressed his pride in the program this week. “My administration is committed to investing in our young people, and I am pleased that we were able to reach over 24,000 of them in the first few months of my administration.”
This year the program had 1,771 youth with disabilities, more than 2,000 with English as a second language, 233 in foster care, and 755 youth participants dealing with homelessness. Through all of the programs, participants completed 2.43 million hours of work experience and project-based learning. Additionally, participants earned over $33.9 million in employment wages.
Three interconnected program models make up the whole of OSC. The main interconnected programs are the Chicago Youth Service Corps (CYCS), “Chicagobility,” and Summer Youth Employment Program. The programs are instrumental in helping at-risk youth and the disadvantaged find gainful employment and civic engagement in their neighborhoods.
OSC has a few different branch programs connected to it, alongside CYCS, Chicagobility, and Summer Youth Employment. In addition, “My Chi My Future” (MCMF) also partners with OSC.
My Chi My Future (MCMF)
MCMF works to give safe places for youth in Chicago. Places that give youth skills and environments to meet people around certain activities and become civically engaged.
My Chi My Future also gives youth employment from ages 13-19. In 2023, 225 young adults were employed. The program also held 110 community events or “kickbacks,” this summer. The kickbacks hosted over 14,000 youth and community members.
MCMF’s mission statement states the desire that “Every young person in Chicago connects to a variety of rich, engaging, safe, and youth-centered out-of-school experiences that empower them to discover and cultivate their talents, passions, skills, and identities.”
Chicago Youth Service Corps (CYSC)
The Chicago Youth Service Corps is a program that focuses on leadership development through civic engagement and paid service learning projects for ages 16-24.
CYSC leads with its six-core guiding principles. Firstly, shaping and strengthening Chicago with civic leadership, secondly, learning what a good leader looks like and reflecting on it. Thirdly, it elevates the youth’s voices by helping them find their identities, passions, and goals.
Additionally, another principle is the continuous improvement of the program through feedback and leadership. As well as building up communities and the city through collaboration on projects and helping broaden the impacts of other participants. Lastly, CYSC seeks to push the participants to celebrate diversity in all of the members.
2022 CYSC Programs’ Achievements
Furthermore, there are multiple programs under the umbrella of CYSC. In 2022, there were many summer highlights of the programs and organizations underneath CYSC. For example, there is Central States SER. This organization helps at-risk youth and adults around Chicago to find gainful employment and further their education. Central States SER taught skills such as photography, Adobe Photoshop literacy, and studio lighting. As well as the participants learning the critical cultural role of art within Little Village.
Another is Kuumba Lynx, an urban arts and performance organization that seeks to create deeper connections within the Chicago communities. In the Summer of 2022, the members of Kuumba Lynx participated in workshops, sports, performances, and community-building activities. Leaving the participants feeling closer and more likely to do further work for their communities.
Written by Arianna Rathers
Sources:
CBS News: Over 4,000 more young people employed through One Summer Chicago this year than last
Chicago Gov: Youth Employment Up 19 Percent From 2022 Through One Summer Chicago
Chicago Gov: SUMMER 2022 COMING BACK TOGETHER
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of COD Newsroom’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Image Courtesy of Don Harder’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
