Jobs For Youth offers a second chance

A second chance is sometimes all that’s needed for someone to get on the right path-and stay there, said the executive director of a local job placement program. Jobs For Youth is a free program that helps young men and women–ages 17 to 24&nda

A second chance is sometimes all that’s needed for someone to get on the right path and stay there, said the executive director of a local job placement program.

Jobs For Youth is a free program that helps young men and women–ages 17 to 24–from low-income and at-risk homes become part of the economic mainstream.

It has placed more than 26,500 people, mostly African Americans, with jobs since the program’s inception in 1979, and has had more than 900 of its participants to earn a GED since the services were offered nearly 20 years ago, according to Robert Barnett, executive director for JFY.

Between July 2007 and June 2008, the program helped 81 enrollees, all ex-offenders, find employment. The average wage was $9.10 per hour.

That second chance is what helped a former high school dropout realize his potential and strive for post-secondary education.

Eric Davis dropped out of high school at age 15 and spent a great deal of his time hanging out with his friends. When he heard about JFY from a former participant, he knew it was time for him to finish school and pursue a career.

“When I was 18, I saw where my life was heading, and it was not what I wanted for myself. A Jobs For Youth GED graduate told me good things about the program and the teachers, so I decided to give it a try,” Davis said.

Last October he enrolled in the 12-week high school equivalency program and passed the exam in March. He now works part-time at Macy’s department store and is planning to attend Harold Washington College.

“I have lots of goals for myself. I would like to continue in school to earn a master’s degree and become a successful accountant. I feel like reaching these goals will be easier with help from JFY,” he said.

Barnett said the only way they can continue to help provide success stories like Davis’ is with donations. It cost the program about $2,000 per youth to provide outreach, training, counseling, job placement and two years of follow-up assistance for the program’s participants.

For more information, visit www.jfychicago.org, or call (312) 499-4778.

Copyright 2008 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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