MAYOR EMANUEL ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF APPLICATION PERIOD FOR SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE THROUGH ONE SUMMER CHICAGO 2016, ENCOURAGES YOUTH TO APPLY

Due to high demand, deadline to apply for Mayor’s One Summer Chicago program moved to May 22
Mayor Rahm Emanuel today joined Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Commissioner Lisa Morrison Butler to announce the period for Chicago youth ages 14-24 to apply for One Summer Chicago job and internship opportunities this summer season has been extended by one week due to high demand. The Mayor’s One Summer Chicago 2016 is the city’s largest youth jobs program to date, having grown by more than 70 percent since its 2011 launch to accommodate a strong demand by youth across the city. Applications will now be due on May 22.

“Summer is just around the corner, and with more than 25,000 job opportunities we are helping our youth earn a paycheck and also realize their full potential,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Chicago continues to step up for our children and create more if these critical opportunities each year, even as the state has stepped back. I'm looking forward to another successful year of One Summer Chicago and more opportunities to keep our youth safe and engaged this summer.”

Mayor Emanuel visited Children’s Home and Aid in the Englewood community today to remind youth that there is still time to apply for more than 25,000 job and internship opportunities available this summer. Children’s Home and Aid is one of several partners in the Englewood community which has expanded to serve more youth with nearly $8 million in private funds secured by the city this year to date. Overall, more than 75 percent of One Summer Chicago employment opportunities are allocated for youth residing in area defined as high-need, based on poverty and violence rates.

In addition to an increase in opportunities, this year’s program will give youth a deeper experience than in years past, with new opportunities to contribute their skills and talents to Chicago’s vibrant communities. Opportunities are available in many industry areas, such as urban agriculture, bike repair, outdoor forestry projects, as well as office and clerical work. “The Mayor’s One Summer Chicago provides our children with more than just a job, but provides an opportunity for youth to gain the skills they need to succeed in career and in life,” said Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Commissioner Lisa Morrison Butler. “Though the application period is quickly approaching, we want youth across the city to know that it’s not too late to apply for One Summer Chicago and make a difference in their community this summer.”

Growing the program each year remains a priority for Mayor Emanuel, due to the strong demand by thousands of youth each year to become engaged and employed. The program will diversify with new, first-time commitments this year, with the help of Chicago’s first lady, Ms. Amy Rule. The Chicago Cubs, Navy Pier, Potbelly have recently signed on to collectively provide an additional 120 summer youth employment opportunities this year.
This year the One Summer PLUS Program will expand to serve 3,000, building on last year’s investment to double these opportunities for at-risk youth thanks to a generous commitment from Inner City Youth Empowerment, LLC—a private entity created by Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Mark and Kimbra Walter.

Mayor Emanuel created this special program in 2012 to connect youth who are at a higher risk for violence involvement with a 25-hour per week summer job, a mentor, civic leadership training and social skill building. A comprehensive, peer-reviewed study from 2014 found that the PLUS program significantly reduced violent crime involvement among participants for at least 16 months after the program ended.

Each year, the One Summer Chicago program grows to provide meaningful opportunities for youth to learn new skills through opportunities with city and delegate agencies, as well as corporate and local businesses. Program enhancements for One Summer Chicago and One Summer Chicago PLUS 2016 include coding and investment academies, urban planning and architecture opportunities, as well as new work programs under Mayor Emanuel’s Infrastructure team, which works to beautify neighborhoods across the city, one boulevard at a time.

Since One Summer Chicago was launched in 2011, Mayor Emanuel has steadily increased the number of available opportunities to keep youth safe and engaged each summer from 14,500 in 2011 to 25,000 this year. To date, more than 100,000 youths from neighborhoods across the city have gained valuable job training and work experience through the City’s burgeoning public-private program.
The online application for minimum of six-week summer employment is available at www.onesummerchicago.org through May 22, 2016.

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About One Summer Chicago:
DFSS leads One Summer Chicago in partnership with participating agencies including: Office of the City Treasurer, Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Housing Authority, After School Matters, Forest Preserves of Cook County, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Public Libraries, City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Chicago Public Libraries and Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities.

One Summer Chicago also receives support from private companies including: Chicago Community Trust, Citi Foundation, Civic Leadership Foundation., University of Chicago Crime Lab, JPMorgan Chase, TCF Bank, Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, TraceRoute, MHA Labs, and Inner City Youth Empowerment, LLC, and the McCormick Foundation.

Mayor's Office Official Press Release