It sounds a little dead. Good morning. I know the sun is shining, but it is a beautiful day.
Welcome to Phelan's Family Services and our illustrious Gladstone Sanders Garden.
We are happy to. Yes, thank you.
This space comes with a lot of memories for us when we talk about our president,
our late president, Mr. Glassstone Sanders, who was by heart a horticulture person, loved flowers.
Well, this space, if you look to your right, this is what this looked like three years ago.
And so as part of our summer initiative, our young people helped to produce this space
so that what you see now is evident of a lot of hard work and learning about horticulture.
But on the onset, we want to welcome our mayor of Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson, to our workspace.
Praline's Family Services established in 2003 in Workforce Development Solutions.
We started on the far west side of Chicago.
We had two locations, west side and far south, and now we're combining to one location
where we offer workforce development solutions to both youth and adults.
and vocational training that prepares both youth and adults for long-term careers in high industry growth areas.
We also provide mental and behavioral health services on site.
That was as a result or response to COVID-19,
where we recognize that there's a lot of trauma happening in our communities,
and this was Phelan's response to help provide those mental and wellness services to our community residents.
Our wraparound services look like housing.
clothing food transportation all of those things that really produce barriers for individuals
trying to move forward in their trajectory of life and so we couple not only our vocational
training services and workforce development but we include wraparound services we want to remove
any barriers that really prevent them from being successful our violence prevention program which
we are so proud of, thanks to our mayor and for state funding, that we're actually able
to go into communities on the far south side and help de-escalate activities around violence.
And so with that initiative, we do pop-up events on a regular basis when incidents happen
on our far south side.
Our de-escalation team go into communities and we help to de-escalate where those opportunities,
Opportunities, I would say, to continue in that violence, we try and mitigate that so that it doesn't go any further.
And we are proud of those services where we are actually seeing a reduction of violent activities happening in our immediate area.
We are proud to be a delegate agency for the Department of Family and Support Services where we are employing 530 youth for the summer through our Chicago Youth Works Initiative.
Yes, 450 through the SYEP program and 80 in Chicago Ability.
And that is important, again, because as our youth are preparing for that next level,
I'm proud to say we're kicking off our summit tomorrow,
introducing our youth post-summer for other activities, whether that is post-education,
whether that is vocational training, and then, of course, employment services.
So we are absolutely ecstatic to host that event on tomorrow, beginning at 10 o'clock, the Youth Summit.
And so at this time, I'm going to turn it over to our mayor, who will take us further into...
I'm sorry. We will turn it over now to our alderman of the 21st Ward, our partner, our friend, Ronnie Mosley.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Well, good morning, everyone.
And welcome to the 21st Ward where we are building community to thrive together.
Thank you, Ms. Bailey, for the gracious introduction, and to Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Green, our Department of Family Support Services, the entire Failings Family Service team, our Chicago Youth Works participants, including Trinity and Trey, who you'll hear from in just a little bit.
As a note, Trey was a proud alum of our office. He served with us this past summer.
and is also my dear Morehouse brother, our community partners, the members of the press, and the residents of West Pullman and all of the 21st Ward.
Thank you for being here.
And we are proud to stand here today at Faelings Family Services because Faelings has poured into the young people.
of this community for years, and they've been a steady, trusted partner to this ward.
There is no better place to have this conversation.
In Chicago, YouthWorks often gets described as a summer paycheck, but it's so much more
than that.
It's a professional experience.
It's a mentor who picks up the phone.
It's the first time a young person hears the words that we need you, and the work you are
doing matters.
I see it every day in the office of the 21st Ward where our Chicago youth employees, they aren't sitting in the corner observing.
They're serving residents.
They're helping our community events run more efficiently.
And they're learning how a city works from the inside.
And they're teaching us a thing or two along the way with their energy, their ideas, and their professionalism.
In fact, I see them here, and please give them a warm round of applause.
They are a part of our team, and our office is better because of it.
So thank you.
And here's why that matters.
Because so much, especially in this part of the city, in fact, two of the five communities that hired the most young people anywhere in Chicago last summer are right here in the 21st Ward.
I'm talking about Auburn Gresham and Roseland.
And in those neighborhoods, we saw some of the sharpest declines in shootings and violence anywhere in the city.
Now, I won't stand here and tell you that a summer job by itself solved that.
But I'll tell you this.
When a young person has somewhere to be and someone who believes in them and a reason to believe in their own future, our communities get stronger.
Our communities get safer.
Our own numbers and our own war tell that exact story.
So to every young person here this summer, take full advantage of this.
Ask questions.
Build relationships.
Learn everything you can.
The job you start this summer could be the beginning of a career, a calling, or an idea that changes your block.
Take it to someone who started working when they were just 14 in a program just like this.
So thank you to everyone for helping make that possible.
And now, it is my honor to welcome someone who has championed this work for our entire city, none other than our very own Commissioner, Angela Green.
Thank you, Alderman Mosley, for that inspirational welcome, and good morning, everyone.
Good morning.
My name is Angela Green, and it is my distinct honor and privilege to be able to serve as a Commissioner for the Department of Family Support Services for this beautiful city.
I want to begin by thanking Phalanx Family Services for hosting us today, and for Bevan's Mentee Network for co-producing the Future Ready Summit and Opportunity Expo, and also to Home Run In for gently providing lunch for our youth and our guests.
We truly appreciate your continued support and unwavering partnership and the investment that you're making in Chicago's next generation.
You know, today represents an exciting milestone for Chicago YouthWorks.
For the first time, we're bringing together our Summer Youth Employment Program Updates with Future Ready Summit,
which focuses on helping nearly 300 young adults connect with employers, colleges, apprenticeship programs,
training providers, and career resources that will support their future beyond the summer.
And that is exactly what Chicago Youth Works is all about.
Chicago Youth Works is more than a summer jobs program.
It's a year-round investment in young people's potential, connecting youth ages 14 to 24 with paid work experiences,
career exploration, skill development, and pathways for long-term success.
This summer long, Chicago Youth Works received more than 58,000 applications.
And out of that, out of the mayor's goal of 29,000, DFS is providing 19,465 paid opportunities through our delegate agencies.
And we're proud to report that we're already at 92% of our hiring.
goal. That's thousands of young people already on the job and gaining meaningful work experiences
across Chicago. But today is also about what is next. I'm excited to share that earlier this month,
DFSS launched a new initiative, Career Exploration and Employment Preparation Program.
This new workforce initiative will provide 1,500 young adults ages 18 to 24 with pre-apprenticeship services, job skill trainings, career readiness, and job placement assistance.
We're helping even more young people transition from summer employment into long-term careers.
The Career Exploration and Employment Preparation Program expands the city's commitment to connecting employers with career-ready young adults beyond the summer months.
So to every young person here today, remember this.
Your summer job is not the finish line.
It's just the starting point.
None of this is even possible without our incredible partners, employers, educational institutions, workforce organizations, community-based organizations, and leaders like Bivon's Mentee Network, who share our vision of ensuring every young person has access to opportunity.
So thank you all for your partnership and for your collaborative work.
And to you, Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Thank you for recognizing the power of investing in our young people.
Thank you for putting our young people at the center of your vision for Chicago.
And thank you for championing this program as a pathway to opportunity, economic mobility, and a stronger future for our city.
Will you please help me welcome Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Well, thank you, Commissioner Green, for that introduction and for your leadership.
Good morning, everyone. It is such an honor to be with you all this morning, and I want to thank, of course, Phelanx Family Services for the incredible work that you all do.
Thank you for the many years of partnership with the City of Chicago and the impactful work you continue to do, especially in Roseland and West Pullman communities to support young people and their entire families.
I also again want to recognize and thank the Department of Family and Support Services, of course for Youth Employment. This team has dedicated countless hours to ensure that the Chicago Youth Works Initiative can continue to expand, but also the delegate agencies, everyone who plays a part in ensuring that our young people have access to services.
And thank you all for making the first summer of our rebranded, as we call it, Chicago Youth Works, a tremendous success.
Give yourselves, again, a nice round of applause.
To the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, After School Matters, City Colleges of Chicago, CTA, Chicago Housing Authority,
Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, and all of the city departments, and, of course, the aldermanic offices that support this program.
You know, to have a strong leader like Alderman Ronnie Mosley, it really makes a difference in our ability to ensure that young people truly can experience and find their purpose.
And so as of this morning, you all, so far we have 28,793 young people who have been hired through the Chicago Youth Works Summer Program.
That means nearly 29,000 young people that we budgeted for, Chicagoans, are building successful futures in our city and contributing to building safer and more vibrant communities.
In March, we launched the Chicago Youth Works, formerly known as One Summer Chicago, to reflect the extraordinary growth of our city's youth employment opportunities under my administration.
As many of you all know, in 2025, we saw an overall increase in youth employment of 55% since my administration began.
And in 2025 alone, we saw an increase of 10% in youth jobs.
Chicago Youth Works is about providing more than a summer job.
This program helps young people build confidence, develop important life and career skills,
and, of course, earn a paycheck and build towards a future as leaders in their respective communities.
And while we're here today to celebrate another successful summer of youth employment,
I also want to emphasize that our work does not end with summer jobs, as Commissioner Green indicated.
This year, my administration has worked closely with DFSS to intentionally provide more opportunities
leading to long-term employment.
And now, with DFS's,
you know, I'm very proud as a social studies teacher
that I was able to get that out.
The new CEEP program, young people aged 18 to 24,
will have more opportunities to connect with pre-apprenticeships,
job training, and trade certification programs.
And through our commitment to creating long-term
as well as year-round youth employment, these opportunities are critical.
So tomorrow from 10.30 a.m. to 2 p.m., we are pleased to be hosting the Chicago Youth Works Future Ready Summit
and Opportunity Expo right here at Fay Link's Family Services.
So thank you all for being such a gracious host.
This summit is focused on connecting young people, particularly those who are not currently connected to school or employment post-summer,
with year-round workforce training, career resources, and opportunities.
Finally, I want to thank you again, all of you, for being so vigilant in our overall goal.
DFSS Youth Employment Team, Bevin Mentee Network, and Failings Family Services
for collaborating to host tomorrow's event.
We're expecting 300, 300 young people tomorrow.
and, again, Home Run and Pizza for their contributions,
and I do look forward to the continued partnership.
And, listen, as a father and as a former public school teacher,
investing in our young people is the best thing that we can do for the future of our city.
You know, my oldest, you know, is 18 years old.
He's had a chance to participate in these opportunities,
and now that he knows how to cook, and he's doing a much better job.
He can cook ground meat and some bacon and oatmeal and rice,
But the boy doesn't pay for any of it.
So now that he knows how to cook and now that he's getting a check,
he can actually contribute to the household as well.
But to every family that is out there that's looking for opportunities,
we can grow these opportunities,
but we're going to need your help with next year's budget
to ensure that we raise the progressive revenue to invest in our young people.
Speaking of our young people,
please put your hands together for CYW Youth Participant Trinity Miles.
Good morning, everyone.
Good morning.
Okay, thank you, Mayor Johnson, for the introduction.
My name is Trinity Miles, and I'm honored to be here representing Chicago Youth Works.
This summer, I wanted to gain real work experience before starting college.
I saw Chicago Youth Works as an opportunity to strengthen my resume,
to build professional skills, and prepare for future internships and career opportunities.
This fall, I'll be majoring in political science,
and my long-term goal is to work in public service, advocating for children.
My placement as a mentor for students entering high school aligned perfectly with these goals.
It allowed me to make a positive impact while learning what it means to be professional.
It was also important for me to become more financially independent by earning money while getting valuable work experience.
One of the biggest lessons that I learned this summer was the importance of time management, reliability, teamwork, and problem solving.
Although we received excellent training,
Before starting our placements, working with students taught me that every day is going to be different.
You never know what personalities you will encounter and what challenges may come up.
Some students are outgoing, some are more timid and reserved, but, you know, every day comes with a different challenge.
This experience taught me to adapt quickly, to collaborate effectively with my teammates,
and then be dependent and a source of encouragement for the students that I work with.
I also learned that being on time and community meeting with my supervisor and showing up
prepared are all ways to demonstrate professionalism and commitment to doing my best.
Chicago Youth Works also helped me see the connection between education and future career
opportunities.
It reinforced that the knowledge that I'm getting in the classroom combined with my
hands-on work experience is preparing me for a career in public service.
It motivated me to continue seeking opportunities where I can learn, lead, and make a positive
impact for my community.
Overall, this experience has contributed tremendously to both my personal and professional growth.
I've become more confident in myself and my abilities, and I've also developed a stronger work ethic.
I've also built meaningful relationships with my coworkers and the students that I have a privilege of mentoring.
I leave Chicago Youth Works with valuable skills, lasting memories, and a clear vision for the future that I want to build.
Thank you.
Now it's my pleasure to introduce my fellow Youth Works participant, Trevor Robinson.
all right good morning everyone thank you Trinity for the introduction my name is Trayvon Robinson and
to be here representing Chicago YouthWorks. I applied to Chicago YouthWorks because of its
accessibility and its commitment to creating opportunities for young people. I wanted to
gain real-world experience and develop skills that would prepare me for my future career and
professional world. I also valued the opportunity to support and work with community-focused,
Chicago-based organizations. Through this experience, I gained valuable workplace
skills such as communication, time management, accountability, and teamwork. I also learned the
importance of branding and marketing while deepening my understanding of how to connect
with diverse communities. These experiences strengthens my skills and I'm confident they
will benefit me as I pursue a career in business, political science, or whatever opportunities the
future brings. As a business administration major with a concentration in marketing and a minor in
political science, this experience reinforced that I'm on a right career path. It showed me the value
of collaborating with others to achieve a common goal and expanded my perspective on the many ways
I can combine business, marketing, and public service to create positive change. Overall,
Chicago Youth Works helped me grow both my personal and professional career. It gave me
the confidence to take on greater responsibilities while strengthening my accountability and
professionalism in the workplace. The supportive environment provided
meaningful hands-on experience and allowed me to further explore my passion
for business and community impact. Thank you. Now I'd like to invite Mayor Brandon
Johnson to the podium to answer questions for the press.
Okay very very well do you cook Trayvon? You cook Trinity? Y'all know how to cook?
All right. All right. Good. All right. Y'all paying for the food in the house? All right. We good? All right. Thank you all again for coming out. And to all the graduating seniors, class of 2026 that are headed to college, we are incredibly proud of you, Trinity. I told my son, too, who's headed off to Eastern Illinois, he comes in my room every morning with a countdown. You know, Dad, I got 11 days left.
just see as I okay well we're all looking forward to you all going to college but Chicago is your
home all right so you get educated somewhere else travel and see the world but we want you
to come right back here in our communities I don't want any other city to benefit from the
investments that we've made in our young people so come back to Chicago all right God bless you
all let's take a picture
Is this camera next?
One, two, three, look at me.
I'm going to always say do something different.
I'm okay with this.
One, two, three.