Here are some ways you can participate in Mayor Daley’s Summer Jobs Program

Hire

Hire a young person through the program. Opportunities for youth are typically six to eight weeks, flexible based on your needs, and must pay minimum wage. It’s a small investment for a big return! Pledge today or gather more
Fast Facts about the program.

Donate

Donate to the program, underwrite a stipend allowing a local nonprofit to provide opportunities for a young person, or make an in-kind donation, such as providing materials or giveaways for a career training. Donations in any amount are appreciated and tax deductible.

Sponsor

Sponsor training and other events and activities to support Chicago’s youth’s. Pledge your time now, or call and speak with a specialist.

Volunteer

Volunteer your time to prepare our next generation of business leaders. Possible topics include leadership skills, teamwork, understanding the corporate environment, proper business attire and conflict management.

Contact us to learn more at our hotline or by email at youthreadychicago@cityofchicago.org

 

Benefits

There are many benefits of partnering with Mayor Daley’s Youth Ready Chicago:

Bright, eager and ready to learn, organizations partner with Youth Ready Chicago tell us time and time again how impressed they are with the professionalism, responsibility and productivity of their summer employees.

“Christina finished our eight-week to-do list in three weeks.”
~ Jim Pajauskas, senior account executive at CBIZ, one of the nation’s leading providers of business services, commenting on a young person he hired through Youth Ready Chicago. Read More

Experience the joy and satisfaction that come with giving back and investing in the economic future of Chicago and helping to prepare its up-and-coming workforce.

“The hallmark of KidStart is to give students professional experience. These are very active, very bright, very articulate young people. It’s been very rewarding to see them expand their horizons and to give them a first step to envisioning what that future might be.” ~ Arol Augsburger, O.D., president of the Illinois College of Optometry. Read More

Celebrate your organization’s good corporate citizenship. Participating organizations and businesses receive recognition from Youth Ready Chicago in brochures, flyers and posters, events and the Youth Ready Chicago website. You are also welcome to highlight your participation on your company Web site, in press releases, new employee packets and other company materials.

Cultivate leadership skills among your current employees. Staff who mentor and supervise young people experience the personal and professional rewards that accompany enhancing one’s leadership skills, which in turn further benefits the company.

“Our interns were very responsible, prompt, ethical and professional. Our staff love to see them coming. They were very open to learning, expectations and being team players. I was surprised that they maintained communication with us and that they chose to work here on their breaks. I could not have asked for better interns and I know that I certainly would not have found anyone like them on my own. Kudos to Youth Ready Chicago. You're the best!” ~ Marjorie Jones, Director of the Creative Mansion Children's Academy, Inc. Read More