This summer, Chicago is looking to employ thousands of teens and young adults through their yearly program, One Summer Chicago. The initiative is one of the great ways Chicago can give back to the community during the summer. The program aims to supply young people with summer jobs, internships, and training programs throughout the city.

According to the city’s website, they can learn job skills, develop their resumes, and explore career interests through OSC. Over 24,000 employment and internship opportunities are available to youth ages 14-24 and last six weeks. Teens and young adults are expected to work 20 hours a week. Basic requirements include being a Chicago resident, being between eligible ages, having permission from a parent or guardian if younger than 18, and completing your application online.  

Applicants are allowed to make changes after submitting their application.

Carefully reviewing it before you apply is recommended. Most programs will begin on July 5, 2022, through August 12, 2022; however, dates might change based on the partner organization. If you are selected for a job opportunity, a One Summer Chicago partner will contact you by phone or email for an interview at the end of May or early June. 

In 2021, 42,000 youth applied for a summer job, using the opportunity as a chance to stay active until classes are back in session. Applications are being accepted until June 10.

Programs like these are needed in the city.

The summertime is usually when Chicago sees the most violence. To help keep teens and young adults off the streets, OSC encourages thousands to take advantage of employment opportunities.

Recently, Chicago Tribune reported that a 14-year-old boy was killed in the Homan Square neighborhood. The teen, Maleek Smith, was with a companion after 2 p.m. at Polk Street and Lawndale Avenue when they encountered a shooter. After a short interaction, gunshots were heard moments later, and Smith was found dead in an alley. No one is in custody. 

As Summer nears, safety concerns for all citizens are high as they look for ways to stay safe and plan their break. 

Blavity U Ambassador Lashaunta Moore is a graduate student at Columbia College Chicago, studying entrepreneurship for creatives. Moore has a bachelor’s degree in media communication, and she’s also a freelance journalist and digital content producer.