YJC August 2022 Newsletter
Launching our Healthcare Training Program with Chicago Community Learning Center
YJC has partnered with Chicago Community Learning Center (CCLC) for a new healthcare-focused training program! This 18 to 20-week training program allows clients to transition directly into healthcare careers. Any required testing, uniforms, or equipment will be provided at no cost and classes are free. Admissions are rolling with classes starting every 10 weeks. Classes will be held in-person or hybrid at CCLC's Evergreen Park and Chicago Thorek Campuses.

The training program includes a Patient Care Technician (PCT), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), EKG Technician, and Phlebotomy Technician Training Certifications from the National Healthcare Association (NHA) and Illinois Department of Public Health. Clients will receive individualized training, career advising, employment support, financial coaching, and barrier reduction services from YJC. In addition, clients will have access to a paid work experience within the healthcare industry through YJC and CCLC employer partners. Current employer partners include Swedish Hospital, Evanston Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, Skokie Hospital, and more! To enroll, you must be between 18-24 years old and out-of-school.
Youth Job Center Awarded Grant from The Starbucks Foundation

The Neighborhood Grant recognizes community impact that YJC has made in the workforce development sector. As part of The Starbucks Foundation's Neighborhood Grants program, YJC was selected to receive a $1,000 grant. This grant award is thanks to a nomination from a local Starbucks employee who recognized the work that YJC does with young people across the Chicagoland area. Through this unique program, The Starbucks Foundation invites Starbucks partners (employees) to nominate an organization in their community. Since 2019, more than 6,000 grants have been awarded to organizations, amounting to more than $10 million.

We are thrilled to be recognized as a Neighborhood Grant recipient! These funds will ensure we can continue to provide our clients with Workforce Readiness Training, personalized career advising, job placement, financial coaching, and barrier reduction services to young people across Chicagoland.
Auto 101 is back at Olive-Harvey College!

Our 8-week Auto 101 Training Program at Olive-Harvey College is back! Classes will be held in-person at Olive-Harvey College starting in October - exact dates and times are pending. Classes are free of charge for YJC clients. Upon completion, clients will earn three industry- recognized certifications to help jumpstart their automotive careers. Clients also receive a $100 stipend per week, dependent on attendance. Individualized training, career advising, employment support, financial coaching, and barrier reduction services will be provided by YJC. During the training program, clients will have access to a paid work experience with a local automotive employer. Current employer partners include Midas, Pennzoil, Ridge Auto Service, and more! To enroll, you must be between 18-24 years old and out-of-school.

In May, five clients successfully completed our first Auto 101 cohort with Olive-Harvey College. After finishing their internships, most clients enrolled in Olive-Harvey's Advanced Automotive Training Certification class to continue their education. Former client, Londell Weldon, shared that the automotive program helped him to start thinking about his long-term goals for himself and what he needs to do to accomplish these goals - he hopes to one day open an automotive shop of his own.
Our FY21 Annual Report is here! Click here to view.
Client of the Month

Chase became a client of YJC’s in February 2021 through the iKit summer internship program at Evanston Township High School. During his iKit internship, Chase was placed at Visual Comfort Group, where he worked as an Assembler and performed a variety of warehouse-related tasks. When his iKit internship ended, Chase wanted to explore more internship opportunities that would allow him to connect with people and gain hands-on experience. With the support of his Career Advisor, Chase enrolled in YJC’s Career Pathways Program and successfully completed our Basic Automotive Training Program with Oakton Community College. This experience taught him the mechanics and maintenance of a car, while providing him the hands-on training he was looking for.
 
When the opportunity to participate in Old Navy’s This Way ONward program came, Chase was the candidate of choice. He has a friendly demeanor and can engage customers, while also having the capability to work independently and maintain a neat and organized workspace. After completing his 8-week summer internship at Old Navy, he was hired on as a permanent Brand Associate. Currently, he supports the sales floor, organizes merchandise, connects with customers, and provides excellent customer service.
Chase is excited that he has found a job that he enjoys! Chase has decided to continue his education and enrolled at Oakton Community College for the fall semester, while continuing to work at Old Navy.

Looking for a job? Workforce Readiness Training can help!

If you've been looking for work, or are having trouble landing a job, then come to one of our Workforce Readiness Training (WRT) sessions. Our two-week long WRTs prepare clients to succeed in finding and keeping a job. If you are interested in attending one, please click here to learn more! 


Upcoming Workforce Readiness Training sessions:

  • September 6th - 16th, Tuesday - Friday from 1pm - 3pm
  • September 26th - October 7th, Monday - Friday from 1pm - 3pm
  • October 17th - 28th, Monday - Friday from 1pm - 3pm
  • November 7th - 18th, Monday - Friday from 1pm - 3pm
  • November 28th - December 9th, Monday - Friday from 1pm - 3pm

Meet the YJC Team

Meet our Data Manager, Jeremy! Jeremy joined YJC as a volunteer back in 2018, where he helped build out our data and reporting system. Jeremy became our permanent Data Manager in 2021, where he continues to improve our data systems, pull reports for our funders, and represents YJC on the Evanston Collective. Jeremy began his work with YJC because the mission of the organization hit close to home. Like many of our clients, Jeremy struggled to transition from the world of school to the world of work. He hopes that during their time with YJC, clients will gain confidence in their ability to navigate this transition and pursue the future they want. During one of his first jobs working in a leather goods store, he learned that sometimes confidence is just as important as competence.

Throughout his career, Jeremy has learned to not over-react to setbacks at work, but to view them as learning opportunities. Even things that seem bad can have unexpected positive results. Since joining YJC, his biggest accomplishment has been building our brand-new Salesforce-based data system, CliVe. In one year, Jeremy was able to overcome roadblocks to build a system that addresses the organizations needs and staff’s individual needs. When Jeremy isn’t analyzing our data, he enjoys going out walking with his camera and photographing anything interesting he sees!