Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Youth Works on Track to Hire 29,000 Young People, Hitting Summer Youth Employment Goal Four Years in a Row

CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) announced that, as of today, 28,793 young people have been hired for summer employment opportunities through Chicago Youth Works (CYW)—an increase of more than 40% since Mayor Johnson took office. The Mayor joined City officials, CYW participants, and program leaders at Phalanx Family Services to mark the occasion before the CYW Future Ready Summit and Opportunity Expo kicks off later this week.

"Chicago Youth Works is about far more than a summer paycheck, it's about opening doors to opportunity and investing in our young people's future," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "We have expanded youth employment for four consecutive summers, connecting thousands of young people with jobs that help them make lasting connections, build valuable skills, and prepare for their futures. I look forward to continued partnership as we build a year-round youth employment ecosystem, ensuring every young person has opportunities to learn, earn, and build a future right here in Chicago."

Participants spent the summer contributing to the work of City departments, sister agencies, aldermanic offices, local businesses, and CYW delegate agencies while gaining real-world experience, developing new skills, building their resumes, and preparing for future opportunities.

"This summer, I wanted to gain real-world work experience before starting college and pursuing my long-term goal of working in public service—my placement as a mentor for students entering high school aligned perfectly with those goals," said Trinity Miles, a CYW participant. "This experience taught me how to adapt quickly, collaborate effectively with my teammates, and be a dependable source of encouragement and support for the students I worked with. Chicago Youth Works has motivated me to continue seeking opportunities where I can learn, lead, and make a positive difference in my community.

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"I applied to Chicago Youth Works because of its accessibility and its commitment to creating opportunities for young people," said Trevon Robinson, a CYW participant. "The program gave me the confidence to take on greater responsibilities while strengthening my accountability and professionalism in the workplace. As I pursue a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Political Science, Chicago Youth Works reinforced my passion for combining business, marketing, and public service to create positive change."

Phalanx Family Services is a longtime City partner, Chicago Youth Works delegate agency, and host of the Chicago Youth Works Future Ready Summit & Opportunity Expo. Based in Pullman, Phalanx Family Services is dedicated to helping underserved children, youth, and families achieve self-sufficiency through workforce development, youth mentoring, employment opportunities, and family support services.

"Phalanx Family Services is proud to partner with the City of Chicago to help connect young people with opportunities that can shape their futures," said Laura Erving-Bailey, Director of Operations at Phalanx Family Services. "This summer, we were honored to serve more than 500 participants through Chicago Youth Works, providing meaningful work experiences that build confidence, develop career skills, and prepare young people for long-term success. The Future Ready Summit & Opportunity Expo ensures those opportunities don't end with the summer by connecting young people to education, workforce training, and career pathways that will help them thrive for years to come."

The Chicago Youth Works Future Ready Summit & Opportunity Expo, hosted in partnership with DFSS, Bevon Mentee Network and Phalanx Family Services, is one of the culminating events of the Chicago Youth Works summer program, bringing together 300 young adults for career exploration, professional development, and networking with employers, colleges, apprenticeship programs, and workforce partners. The event connects participants—particularly those who are not currently connected to school or employment—to education, entrepreneurship, and emerging career opportunities.

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Mayor Johnson launched the CYW application in March following a record-breaking summer in 2025 which saw more than 31,000 young people paired with employment opportunities. This year's success builds upon consistent program growth since Mayor Johnson took office, including the addition of 2,400 positions in 2024 and the expansion of 4,000 positions in 2023.

"Chicago Youth Works is expanding possibilities in exciting new ways for tens of thousands of youth this summer," said DFSS Commissioner Angela Green. "Thanks to the Johnson Administration's continuous investment, these young people are both earning paychecks and building strong foundations for future employment. We can't wait to see everything they will achieve."

Chicago Youth Works is the City's signature youth employment initiative offered in partnership with local businesses, community organizations, and city agencies to provide young people ages 14-24 with paid work experience.

CYW is made possible through partnerships with City departments, sister agencies, community-based organizations, and corporate partners. Key partners for CYW include: After School Matters, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Transit Authority, and City Colleges of Chicago, as well as additional partnerships across the city.

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