CHICAGO— Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services today announced a record-breaking investment in Chicago's young people, creating more than 32,498 paid opportunities for youth and young adults across Chicago this year through the expansion of Chicago Youth Works and the launch of the Career Exploration & Employment Preparation Program—the highest annual total in the City's history.
“Young people across Chicago are looking for opportunities to gain experience, earn a paycheck, and build a brighter future, and our administration is working every day to meet that call,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “From day one, I’ve pledged to invest in our young people, not them leave them behind.
We’ve never stopped looking for ways to create more opportunities for young Chicagoans to support themselves and their families, build valuable skills, and explore work they can take pride in—we owe it to the people of Chicago to never lose sight of that mission.”
This historic milestone is made possible through two major investments that expand access to employment, workforce training, and career pathways for young Chicagoans.
“Chicago's young people are full of talent, creativity, and potential,” saidDFSS Commissioner Angela Green. “Our responsibility is to ensure they have access to the opportunities, resources, and support systems that allow them to thrive.
Together, Chicago Youth Works, CEEP, and our community partners are helping young people build skills, explore careers, and create pathways to long-term success.”
Through partnerships with community organizations across Chicago, the City is creating more than 2,000 additional paid Chicago Youth Works opportunities during these critical final weeks of summer break.
The expansion will provide thousands more young Chicagoans with hands-on work experience, professional mentorship, and valuable workplace skills while earning a paycheck.
Earlier this month, DFSS launched the Career Exploration & Employment Preparation Program, which provides 1,500 young adults ages 18 to 24 with pre-apprenticeship services, job skills training, career readiness, and job placement support.
While Chicago Youth Works provides immediate paid employment opportunities, CEEP extends the City's investment beyond the summer by preparing young adults for long-term careers through workforce training and connections to career-path employment.
The City thanks the following organizations for their partnership and commitment to serving Chicago's youth through the Chicago Youth Works expansion:
Prime For Change
Phalanx Family Services
Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago, Inc.
True Believers Community Connections
UCAN
Urban Male Network
B.U.I.L.D. Incorporated
Central States SER, Jobs for Progress, Inc.
Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
Metropolitan Family Services
Youth Outreach Services
After School Matters
Urban Initiatives
Together, these investments expand access to meaningful employment and career pathways, helping more young Chicagoans than ever before gain the experience, skills, and support needed to succeed in the workforce.The City of Chicago remains committed to creating and expanding opportunities for advancement that help young Chicagoans reach their full potential.
Because when young people succeed, Chicago succeeds.