Chicago’s annual summer jobs program will hire 20,000 young people this year, including 2,000 as part of a new youth service corps dedicated to service that will include helping with the city’s COVID-19 response, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Friday.
The yearly summer hiring program is meant to put some money in kids’ pockets and keep them out of trouble, while teaming them up with mentors who can give them guidance about school and careers.
With the coronavirus pandemic requiring social distancing, many of the jobs in the six-week program will be taking place online this year.
Lightfoot pointed in particular to the service corps, which will help develop a youth-led COVID-19 public information campaign, craft cloth face coverings, work on social-distancing ambassador activities as the city reopens, and conduct well-being checks with older residents.
“One Summer Chicago is among our city’s great youth programs, supporting tens of thousands of our young people every year through transformative and life-affirming jobs and internships,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “We remain committed to youth development and employment and applaud our partners who have adapted and preserved these opportunities for our youth. We are excited to add a Youth Service Corps this year in response to our belief that youth have much to contribute to the city’s response to COVID-19. CYSC will leverage and lift up youth talent and voices and respond to their desires to lead at this time.”
Those interested in applying for summer jobs can do so at onesummerchicago.org.
