Mayor Brandon Johnson's commitment to youth employment in Chicago seems to be paying off as the summer job season hits its stride; nearly 29,000 young people have landed roles through the One Summer Chicago (OSC) program, according to the city's latest figures. Celebrating this achievement at the Hope Center Foundation in Roseland, the Mayor emphasized the city's dedication to providing work opportunities for its younger residents, a pledge that appears to be fruitful for the third year running, as reported by the City of Chicago's official website.
"Expanding youth employment was a promise I made to the people of Chicago who wanted to see more of our young people with productive and safe ways to spend their summers," Mayor Johnson said, signaling a resolute stance on this issue, the number of young people employed through OSC almost hitting 29,000, employers aren't done yet with spots still filling up. In a resume-building exercise, the Mayor engaged with participants, eager to witness firsthand the program's impact, wherein one young OSC beneficiary, Ali Cooper, expressed appreciation for the initiative, stating, "None of this would be possible without strong leadership that believes in young people like me," highlighting the program's significance in fostering confidence and entrepreneurship for the youth of Chicago.
The OSC program operates with a partnership model, leveraging relationships with a multitude of agencies, both governmental and private, to offer these varied summer employment opportunities. Acting Commissioner of the Department of Family and Support Services, Maura McCauley, remarked on the wide range of work experiences the program makes available, saying, "The employment opportunities provided through One Summer Chicago are a vital bridge to valuable connections and learning that can inspire new paths forward and change young people's lives forever," testament to the city's overarching goal of supporting young people in their professional and personal development.
The OSC program has seen substantial growth under Mayor Johnson's tenure, showing ambition by setting targets such as the addition of a thousand new positions for the summer of 2025, this following prior year expansions of 2,400 positions and 4,000 positions respectively, with the overall goal being a 40% expansion in youth employment since he took office. Mayor Johnson's office will be delivering a comprehensive report soon, once the season concludes, detailing the final count of youths who participated in this year's OSC program, a number that they anticipate reflecting their escalating commitment to cultivating a generation ready to face the future with the necessary skills and confidence.
