Obama Foundation Announces Youth Jobs Corps

The Obama Foundation and Urban Alliance, a national youth development nonprofit organization, today launched the Obama Youth Jobs Corps (OYJC) to bring workforce readiness training to high school sophomores and juniors on Chicago’s South Side over the next five years. The Foundation says the program will help prepare youth from underserved communities for economic self-sufficiency and expanded opportunity. OYJC will also partner with businesses in Chicago to provide paid, professional internships to high school seniors, giving students the skills, experience, and exposure needed to succeed in a 21st century economy. Beginning with a pilot group of students at Hyde Park Academy High School, Kenwood Academy High School, and Little Black Pearl Art & Design Academy, OYJC will provide five workforce readiness training sessions in the 10th grade to lay the groundwork for professional development; weekly job skills training sessions in the 11th grade, delving deeply into professional development, financial literacy, post-high-school planning, and increased exposure to the professional world; and 10-month, paid professional internships in the 12th grade through Urban Alliance’s flagship High School Internship Program, which combines work experience with job skills training, one-on-one mentoring, and comprehensive support services during and after the internship. The program is expected to expand to additional schools for the 2018-2019 school year. More here.