With summer right around the corner, many of Chicago’s youth are looking for a summer job. summer employment not only provides opportunities to make money, but prepares you for future careers and job opportunities. With this in mind, Mayor Rahm Emma
With summer right around the corner, many of Chicago’s youth are looking for a summer job. summer employment not only provides opportunities to make money, but prepares you for future careers and job opportunities. With this in mind, Mayor Rahm Emmanuel and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle have initiated One Summer Chicago- a collaborative effort between the City of Chicago, Cook County, and the civic and business communities to provide summer programming for youths.
One Summer Chicago provides funding in the four pilot communities of Garfield Park, Little Village, Woodlawn and Englewood to enhance existing programs, and to create fresh and new programs.
“We have over 17,000 summer jobs and 168,000 recreational and educational clubs this summer. Some examples of what those educational clubs are: summer camps, some kids are going to be in organized sports,” according to Evelyn Diaz, Chicago Family & Support Services Commissioner.
OSC provides a large incentive for youth, especially in the four pilot communities called “Summer Jobs Plus.” Diaz explained the specific benefits of Summer Jobs Plus.
“It’s going to be a summer jobs program, but its going to have more hours, more money, more coaching and mentoring for the kids who participate, and more support. Just more intensive than our typical summer jobs program,” she said.
Some of the business and community organizations involved are Chicago Public Schools, After Schol Matters, Chicago Public Library, Chicago Park District, Cook County Works, City Colleges of Chicago, and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. One Summer Chicago promises to be beneficial to many of Chicago’s youth. The key to decreasing the negative influence from communities on youth is by providing worthy alternatives. OSC is definitely a step in the right direction.
For more information: www.OneSummerChicago.org
Copyright 2012 Chicago Defender
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