Employment Opportunities

Through SummerWorks this group has helped to bridge the economic and academic gap by providing a first job experience for youth who are motivated to work but lack the social networks or support to find jobs on their own, targeting under-represented youth who face challenges such as growing up in poverty or being at-risk of dropping out of high school. SummerWorks places participants into meaningful work opportunities they likely would not have had access to without the program. Additionally, SummerWorks provides work readiness training, job coaching and other support services to promote program success and encourage ongoing engagement in school and work.

In 2018, SummerWorks developed 50 spots for high risk youth to access first time employment. This allowed youth to learn about the workplace and develop job skills. The participants were also able to take part in work readiness training provided by POIC before their job placement began.

Other outcomes included approximately 28 participants in the CHI Elevate program which works with adult, African American men (ages 17-25) who are at high risk for involvement with the criminal justice system. This program provides wrap-around services, including access to mentors and tools to prepare for employment. The SOAR Program— (Skills, Opportunity, Achievement, Responsibility) also works with justice involved young adults to provide mentorship, job preparation training, and pre-apprenticeship opportunities. The jobs for which the participants are trained provide livable wages in industries that are expected to remain strong. Nine individuals graduated from this program 2018, the pilot year, and there were an additional 43 POIC youth in paid internships.