CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Thousands of young Chicagoans are now earning a paycheck through the One Summer Chicago youth job program which kicked off Monday.
Between 20,000 and 25,000 jobs will be filled this summer by youth, ages 14 to 24, through the city wide initiative. The program includes corporate job opportunities through companies like Amazon, jobs at local businesses, community organizations, even government agencies.
Now in his second year earning wages through One Summer Chicago, Tyrese Johnson said he and his brother were able to start a business from money earned last year. It’s given them a chance at some forward thinking.
“I’m just looking for a better future…The money that I made through One Summer Chicago I have connected with my brand, so I’m thankful for the opportunities that I have you guys,” Johnson said.
For a kickoff event on the South Side, there were a number of guest speakers including Chicago Cubs Senior Vice President of Communications Julian Green, another who was impacted as a youth by a similar city sponsored job program.
“I am happy to be here, and I am here today, sitting in this position, because of a summer jobs program, because that’s how I got my start,” said Green.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said Monday that there are even jobs at City Hall.
“All City departments are employing youth interns this summer, including the Office of the Mayor,” Johnson said.
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Twenty-four thousand applicants remain on the waiting list. Mayor Johnson said he wants to double the number of jobs available and to make some of those jobs available year round. He said the waiting list proves a tremendous demand.
When people speak ill of our young people, it's why I defend them, because they want the opportunities, and we're going to work hard every single day to continue bring the City of Chicago together to make sure we're meeting those demands," Johnson said.
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