Mayor Brandon Johnson has released the Youth Impact Report 2024, highlighting a significant year for youth engagement and employment in Chicago. The report reflects the administration's focus on providing opportunities for young Chicagoans across the city's 77 community areas.
"We are proud of the work we have done over this past year, outlined in this report," stated Mayor Johnson. "We need to take what we learned from this year and double down on our investments in young people in the coming years. The need is urgent, and the time is now. My hope is that we can build on this work, expand our partnerships, and ultimately build a city where every young person has the resources and opportunities that they need to succeed."
Mayor Johnson expressed commitment to youth investment since assuming office in May 2023, setting a standard for supporting young people across the city. "There's no going back," he affirmed. "Chicago has set a new standard for what it looks like to prioritize youth, and together, we’ll continue to lift up our young people in every part of our city."
The report reveals several achievements, including the success of programs conducted by the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS). A total of 106,860 youth were involved in multiple program models, and more than 16,750 attended 155 "kickback" events organized through the My CHI. My Future. (MCMF) Safe Spaces program. Notably, 97% of youth employees felt a stronger sense of community after participating.
Over 2,000 year-round youth jobs have been created through DFSS initiatives like Safe Spaces and the Chicago Youth Service Corps. The My CHI. My Future. platform informed over 50,000 youth of more than 45,000 opportunities.
The Peacekeeper Pilot program, in cooperation with GoodKids MadCity, provided employment and safety training to 100 youth. The DSS Laborer’s Trainee Pilot involved 70 recent graduates from Chicago Public Schools in job training, leading to 55 securing full-time union roles.
Khari Humphries, Acting Deputy Mayor for Education, Youth, and Human Services, highlighted the strategic focus on involving youth in leading and designing spaces. “This year was a transformative step forward for our work around youth engagement,” Humphries said.
Participants like Jasmin R., a 17-year-old from Auburn Gresham, testified to the positive impact. "Being part of the Safe Spaces Kickbacks made me feel more connected to where I live," she said.
The administration has emphasized employment initiatives, with Executive Order 2023-15 supporting job opportunities for individuals aged 14-24. Collaboration with World Business Chicago in July 2024 offered career exposure for youths in various sectors.
Efforts to expand youth employment through cooperation with community partners and agencies led to 27,793 participants in the One Summer Chicago program, marking a 15% increase from 2023. The goal for next year is to employ 29,000 young people, a 45% increase from 2022.
The report highlights additional programs, such as the Inclusive Summer Jobs Expo for persons with disabilities, the DSS Laborer’s Trainee Pilot, the Peacekeeper Pilot, and the Micro-Grant Program through MCMF. These initiatives aim to foster community-based opportunities for Chicago's youth.
For further details on involvement, download the full Youth Impact Report 2024.