Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson on Track to Hit Summer Youth Employment Goal with Almost 29,000 Young People Hired for Third Consecutive Year of Expanded Opportunities
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CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) have announced the success of the One Summer Chicago (OSC) program, which aims to provide employment opportunities for young people during the summer months. As of today, 28,839 young individuals have been hired through OSC, with employers still filling remaining spots.

Mayor Johnson, who made expanding youth employment a promise to the people of Chicago, expressed his pride in keeping that promise. He stated, "We've expanded youth employment for three summers in a row, and we will not stop until every young person who wants to work has that opportunity in Chicago."

The updated numbers were announced at the Hope Center Foundation on the Far South Side, a non-profit organization that received funds from DFSS to hire dozens of young people this summer. These youth participants are enrolled in a workforce development program that partners with the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) Second Chance Program to help them find jobs either through CTA or local partners.

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One participant of OSC, Ali Cooper, shared her experience and gratitude for the program. She said, "I've always been interested in entrepreneurship, and One Summer Chicago has helped me build the confidence and skills to start seriously thinking about my future." Cooper also expressed her appreciation for Mayor Johnson's commitment to funding programs like this.

To engage with young people and hear directly from them about their experience in the program, Mayor Johnson participated in a resume-building exercise with 25 OSC participants. Photos of this interaction can be seen here.

The Hope Foundation is a new addition to the One Summer Chicago program, highlighting Mayor Johnson's dedication to expanding opportunities for young people. DFSS Acting Commissioner Maura McCauley emphasized the importance of these employment opportunities for youth. She stated, "The diverse range of work opportunities we are able to offer our young people is truly incredible."

Mayor Johnson launched the One Summer Chicago application in March 2025 with a goal of adding 1,000 additional positions for young Chicagoans. With partnerships across City departments, sister agencies, community-based organizations, and corporations, Mayor Johnson is on track to hit that goal by the end of this summer. This is in addition to the expansion of 2,400 positions last summer and 4,000 positions during the administration's first summer. Overall, there has been a 40% increase in youth summer employment since Mayor Johnson took office.

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The Mayor's Office plans to provide an update at the end of the summer on the total number of youth employed through Mayor Johnson's summer youth employment program.

One Summer Chicago offers four main program models: Chicago Youth Service Corps for ages 16-24, Chicagobility for ages 14-15, Summer Youth Employment Program for ages 16-24, and Safe Spaces for Youth Program as part of the My CHI. My future. community initiative. These programs are made possible through partnerships with City departments, sister agencies, community-based organizations, and corporate partners such as After School Matters, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Transit Authority, and City Colleges of Chicago.

Mayor Johnson's commitment to expanding opportunities for young people in Chicago is evident through his dedication to programs like One Summer Chicago. With continued support and partnerships from various organizations and agencies across the city, more young individuals will have access to productive and safe ways to spend their summers.

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