Faces of Chicago Youth Works summer participants
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D'asia Collins, 15, is working in real estate this summer as part of Chicago Youth Works. Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Youth Works
More than 28,000 Chicago youths are spending the summer learning things like how to grow food for a culinary career and how to build generational wealth through real estate.
Context: They're part of the city's Chicago Youth Works program, which Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Tuesday has hit its goal this summer for the fourth consecutive year.
Why it matters: Studies show summer jobs help youth build career skills, reinvest money locally and improve safety.
Zoom in: Working with CYW, we asked five participants about their summer jobs, future aspirations and pay. We've condensed the answers here for you.
D'asia Collins, 15, real estate intern (photo above)
Worksite: Real estate office in South Chicago.
School: Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep.
Summer responsibilities: "Learning about real estate development, buying and selling homes, investment strategies, entrepreneurship, and the steps to building a successful business."
Pay: $80 weekly stipend ($480 for six weeks).
Best part of job: "Learning how to become my own boss. I enjoy learning about financial literacy, investing in real estate, and how entrepreneurship can help you build generational wealth for your family and future."
Hardest part of job: "Thinking differently about money and long-term planning ... [learning] to make smart financial decisions and prepare now for future success."
Dream career: Orthodontist.
Miguel Tidmore, 14, gardening intern
Worksite: Green Teens AM in Greater Grand Crossing.
School: St. Paul Lutheran
Summer responsibilities: "Helping address food insecurity by planting, caring for and harvesting crops to take home or donate to the community."
Pay: $80 weekly stipend ($480 for six weeks).
Best part of job: Taking care of plants.
Hardest part of job: "The heat."
Dream career: "I want to grow my own food and then cook it as a chef."
Jorge Cardona Herrera, 20, political intern
Worksite: District 20 office in Albany Park.
School: Aspira Antonia Pantoja.
Summer responsibilities: Offering constituent services for state Sen. Graciela Guzman's district.
Pay: $25 per hour.
Best part of job: "Getting to connect with folks in our district and being able to help ensure they have the support they need on the state level."
Hardest part of job: "Keeping up with all the challenges our communities face and being able to find ways to help or solutions."
Dream career: "Politics so I can ensure a long-lasting impact for the future and current generations."
Samantha Taylor, 20, hospital intern
Worksite: Trinity Hospital on the Southeast Side.
School: Brown University.
Summer responsibilities: "Greeting and transporting patients and visitors, assisting with unit coordination and charting, distributing informational materials, and handling other clerical tasks for the GI Lab."
Pay: $17.05 per hour.
Best part of job: "Meeting all of the friendly staff members at the hospital."
Hardest part of job: "Learning how to professionally navigate logistical problems."
Dream career: PhD in cell and molecular biology, researching genetics.
Genesis Whitehead, 20, culinary intern
Worksite: A Knock At Midnight, culinary arts program, in Auburn Gresham.
School: Illinois State University (currently taking a break).
Summer responsibilities: Cooking, baking and learning recipes.
Pay: $17.05 per hour.
Best part of job: "Learning about cooking and baking and working with others as part of a team."
Hardest part of job: "Learning new recipes and techniques, but I enjoy the opportunity to learn and grow."
Dream career: Entrepreneur (owning a floral shop).
Vaughn Webster, 17, school advisory council member
School: Ogden International High School.
Worksite: Mikva Challenge in the Loop.
Summer responsibilities: "Doing research and learning about education policy .... My subcommittee focuses on the Black Student Success Plan in CPS. As students, we want to create space for Black youth to be leaders in their schools, and we also think that representation begins in elementary school.
Pay: $17.05 per hour.
Best part of job: Starting "every day with a morning circle ... to connect and ground ourselves ... learning about the history behind how things happen in the school district."
- "Examining CPS's decreasing Black population ... and learning about the nine learning conditions on the Cultivate Survey, how they impact students' experiences, and why it's important for teachers to understand those learning conditions."
Hardest part of job: "Being told 'no' or experiencing adults who really aren't listening to us ... once we come up with policy recommendations for [CPS], it takes a lot to move them into implementation .... You need to have so much patience."
Dream career: "Police officer. I see so many things about safety and policing that I wish I could change. I want to help bring justice and be responsive to the people in my community. [If not police], coaching at the high school level, then college, and hopefully make it to the pros someday. Be a general manager for an NBA team!"