Chicago’s summer jobs initiative now includes ‘Peacekeepers’ pilot program

CHICAGO — More than 24,000 young people will learn skills and earn a paycheck under the second annual expansion of the city’s summer jobs program that this year includes a new ‘Peacekeepers’ initiative.

Doubling the size of the ‘One Summer Chicago‘ jobs program was a campaign pledge for Mayor Brandon Johnson. While the program had employed more than 30,000 young people in years before the pandemic, hiring slowed in the years immediately after. Fewer than 21,000 young people were hired in 2022.

Last year, Johnson’s first summer in office, he expanded the program by roughly 4,000 jobs. He was able to add more than 2,400 this year with the allocation of an additional $11 million.

“What’s most important here is that we want to make and create opportunities for our young people,” Johnson said Thursday during a stop at Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts in Washington Park. The school is among the partners to offer jobs, training and mentorship to people aged 14 through 24.

The city continues to work to find more business and job opportunities for young people. Details on the program and job opportunities are available at OneSummerChicago.org.

New this year: ‘Peacekeepers’

A pilot program this year called ‘Peacekeepers’ aims to train young people on how to de-escalate conflicts in their communities. The program is a partnership with the community-based organization GoodKidsMadCity, the Alternative Schools Network, and Wards 3, 4, 5, and 20, a statement from Johnson’s office said.

“You feed off everybody else’s energy. If someone comes into your room with negative vibes then that’s what you’re going to have,” said Kalese Harvey, one of the teens who will provide support and positivity to at-risk peers.

Johnson said the city received more than 800 applications for young people wanting to be a part of the new program.