September 19, 2013

Mayor Emanuel and Cook County Board President Preckwinkle Announce Nearly 20,000 Chicago Youth Hired Through One Summer Chicago 2013 Program

Goal of 22,000 Available One Summer Chicago Job Opportunities for Youth Set for 2014

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today celebrate the success of the One Summer Chicago program. For the second year under their leadership, One Summer Chicago 2013 exceeded expectations, serving more youth than anticipated and providing continued employment opportunities. The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), which coordinates the efforts of One Summer Chicago, reports nearly 20,000 youth were hired, exceeding the initial projection of 18,000, and more than 280 of the participating young Chicagoans received offers for ongoing employment. One Summer Chicago youth worked at over 1,800 worksites, including 260 private sector worksites and as rated by employers, more than half the youth out-performed other employees in comparable positions. Mayor Emanuel and President Preckwinkle have now set an ambitious goal of making 22,000 One Summer Chicago job opportunities available in 2014.

“These initiatives are an avenue to fostering a safe and productive environment for our youth during the crucial summer months,” said Mayor Emanuel. “One Summer Chicago provides young people with incredible opportunities that will serve them well as they look toward college or other employment. The skills developed through our local businesses, corporations and organizations will ensure they have a bright future and a great chance to realize their potential.” 

"One Summer Chicago has provided education, recreation, and employment opportunities to children and young adults throughout Cook County," Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. "Offering productive alternatives allows students to build their careers, enhance their personal development and learn in a safe environment."

A comprehensive report about the success of One Summer Chicago is attached.

This year, One Summer Chicago continued to focus on maximizing access to summer programs for Chicago’s youth by expanding private partnerships, leveraging greater resources, increasing program offerings, and launching new evidence-based violence prevention programs through an unprecedented collaboration with five County and State criminal justice agencies. In 2013, the program increased efficiency and effectiveness by adding a new online application, teaching financial literacy, standardizing mentor training, engaging volunteers and adding more private sector worksites.

Mayor Emanuel and President Preckwinkle developed the One Summer Chicago program in May 2011.  In 2012, Mayor Emanuel directed the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services to partner with the University of Chicago Crime Lab to design a specialized violence prevention program, One Summer Plus.  The program concentrates on at-risk youth from neighborhoods with elevated rates of violent crime and provides them with services by linking them with job opportunities, wraparound services and mentoring.

City and County departments partnered with sister agencies to deliver summer employment and internship for young people through One Summer Chicago. Led by the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services, those partners include After School Matters, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Libraries, Chicago Public Schools, City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, City Colleges of Chicago, Cook County Forest Preserve. For more information about One Summer Chicago, please visit www.onesummerchicago.org.

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