By: Ashmar Mandou

This week, the City of Chicago alongside community-based organizations and community leaders rallied together to share their strategy on how to increase youth jobs. The announcement served as the kickoff to this year’s OneSummer Chicago program. “A summer job is more than just temporary employment—it allows Chicago’s young people to develop critical skills, engage with community, and build a brighter future for themselves, and for all of us,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By taking an all hands on deck approach, my administration is fulfilling our commitment to expanding year-round youth employment, uplifting young people, and creating safe, vital communities. This type of program exemplifies our approach to creating a safer, stronger Chicago that brings everyone together across government, philanthropic, and business sectors.” 

One Summer Chicago is Chicago’s largest City-managed youth summer employment program, and the nation’s second largest summer youth employment program. Supported by additional funding through the American Recovery Plan Act since 2021, the One Summer Chicago program has been able to increase the number of summer and year-round youth employment opportunities. To date, the program has met 80 percent of its hiring goal. This summer, the program will increase by over 2,000 jobs. Additionally, nearly all city departments are employing youth interns, including the Mayor’s Office.  

“By expanding youth jobs, we are creating pathways of fulfillment for Chicago’s youth and providing young people with the tools and resources they need to succeed,” said Jen Johnson, Deputy Mayor of Education, Youth & Human Services. “The Johnson administration is working collaboratively and across departments to provide youth with paid opportunities to learn something new, identify interests, and develop independence.”  

The One Summer Chicago program is a partnership with City of Chicago Departments and Sister Agencies, community-based organizations, corporate partners and local companies to offer employment and internships opportunities to young people ages 14-24. In 2023, the program anticipates employing close to over 24,000 young people across the city this summer. The announcement took place at the headquarters of A Knock at Midnight (AKAM), a non-profit community-based organization established in September of 2003. AKAM has been involved with the One Summer Chicago program since 2015, making this their 8th year involved with the program.