@CHIdocumenters Agenda as follows:

@CHIdocumenters The meeting was called to order at 2:20pm by Ald. Jesse Fuentes, Chair. Roll Call taken, 8 members present, quorum established.

@CHIdocumenters Public comment period: Focus on youth joblessness rates - (Jack Weist -alternative jobs network). 85% of black teens, 40% of black individ 20-24 are jobless. 1700 students with 7 week summer job. over 17 months violence cut by 43%. Give them a chance to move forward over summer.

@CHIdocumenters Public Com. Students says youth employment helped give them a sense of responsibility, helps them stay off street by giving them something to do. Helps them with life and future, communication skills. Feel life is better since joined youth employment network.

@CHIdocumenters Public Com. Kofi Adomola, adult mentor, Good Kids Mad City, violence prevention. Youth who want to work must go through hoops to find jobs, don't get paid fair wage. Need to give them health insurance, fair wage, jobs, Mental Health Care, Social skills, chance to be peace makers

@CHIdocumenters Pub. Com. James Robinson, Youth Organizer Good Kids Mad City. Been with program since 14 gave chance to stay away from gangs. One Summer Chicago gives kids what they need to stay off streets.

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@CHIdocumenters Pub. Com. Alternative School Networks - work is important for youth because it also provides mentors to help guide them throughout their young adult years and provide the groundwork for the future.

@CHIdocumenters Alternate Schools Network:

@CHIdocumenters Pub. Com. Shannon Anderson -IL Youth Employment for Alternate Schools Network. 70% of those in program go on to college. It provides hope of a good future for them. Program works.

@CHIdocumenters Pub. Com. Student discussed how many of family, friends grew up with sell drugs, commit other crimes to make money. Though that's what he grew up with, has managed to avoid illegal activities through jobs program but it's very hard to find a job every summer. More funding needed

@CHIdocumenters Regular Session- Deputy Mayor Jenn Johnson: Youth Employment Strategy Goal build opportunities for youth, doubling youth employment opportunities by the end of Mayor's 1st term.

@CHIdocumenters J. Johnson- Strategies to increase youth jobs include traineeships, using sister agencies, One Summer Chicago, DFSS, Business/Corporate/Sector engagement, World Business Chicago.

@CHIdocumenters Tameka Jones: Program Manager Education Youth & Human Services (EDYHS) team. Youth Employment Continuum: Youth at dif. stages have different needs. Career Awareness, Exploration, Preparation & Development Experience. Have formed Youth Employment Working Group to address needs

@CHIdocumenters Khari Humphreys, 1st Deputy of Ed & Youth: Discussed My Chi, My Future an initiative, a network of over 400 organizations aimed at connecting youth with opportunities.

@CHIdocumenters Tamika Jones: Discussed One Summer Chicago & number of youth jobs anticipated for this summer, seen below:

@CHIdocumenters Eshwan Spencer, Manager of Family Support Program, DFSS. 16,550 youth jobs provided by 61 DFSS funded programs. Total cost $49.8M. Will have opportunity to work in Chicagobility, Summer Youth Employment Program, Youth Services Corps.

@CHIdocumenters Chicagobility for children ages 14-15 not old enough to work. Provides exposure, exploration of jobs. 20 hrs/wk. At end paid $450. Summer Youth Employment age 16-24, 20 hrs/week, paid $15.80/hr. Youth Services Corps. paid to make difference in community. Issues that concern them

@CHIdocumenters 50% of all youth hires must fall into 1 of 6 cat. Disabilities, DSL, Foster Care, homeless, justice involved, out or school or job. 66% fall into equity zones who need the most, the Far South, Near South, Southwest and West, and Sides.

@CHIdocumenters Melissa Mister, After School Matters: Opportunities through ASM include apprenticeships, adv. apprenticeships, ex. culinary apprenticeships, Internships - integrated workplace experiences leading to a career path for 16-18 year olds. After School Matters

@CHIdocumenters Daphne Johnson, Chicago Park District: Rec Leader in Training, job training for 13-15 year olds. Work alongside rec leaders at camps. 1250 slots available.

@CHIdocumenters Alex Goodman. Office of Community Safety: Peacekeeping jobs. 800 youth have expressed interest for 100 jobs for this summer.

@CHIdocumenters Questions: Ald Taylor- Safety for young people? What doing different to make sure have someone to talk to other than their supervisor? Task force talking about best practices. Hotline and email for youth to contact which is confidential with real people on other side.

@CHIdocumenters Ald Rodriguez Sanchez: How track success of this work? Recommended using interns involved in gathering this information. Important for council in future funding.

@CHIdocumenters Ald. Sicho-Lopez: Still have barriers for youth most at risk can't access opportunities. Need intentional effort to get at risk youth in slots. Ans: Options network, Back to Our Future - evidence-informed effort to re-engage disconnected youth at risk for gun violence involvement

@CHIdocumenters How many applicants for Summer One as of Friday (closing date)? 33,927 applicants with another 7000 incomplete that students can go back in and finish, so potentially 40,000 just for DFSS opportunities. Total number of opportunities for all jobs? 28,000.

@CHIdocumenters Summary: Proud of work, improvements Mayor's Office has made this year. Bottom line is that while many concerned about getting kids to apply, it doesn't matter how many apply if don't have fund for jobs. If want to increase opportunities, have to work together to increase funds

@CHIdocumenters No votes taken during this meeting. Meeting adjourned at 4:45. This concludes the Chicago City Council Committee on Workforce Development, SUBCOMMITTEE ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT. The next meeting is scheduled for 6/3/24. For more meeting coverage, check out .