Dear Chicago,
As the school year comes to a close, keeping youthful hands busy is crucial to their safety – and ours. That is why I am excited that the 15th Ward office will have fifteen – 15 – participants in the summer youth employment program. 2026 will be the largest summer youth cohort in years with 95% participation specifically from within the six communities of the ward.
Working in my office isn’t simply about counting paper clips. Participants will handle real-world activities within the ward office and on the streets. They will learn skills sometimes taken for granted: communication, writing, and public engagement. They are shown how to do everything my team and I do because we will be doing it alongside them too.
At a time when so many teens are looking for something to belong to, we help instill pride and a work ethic that transcends the emptiness of social media. Many who have participated in our summer workforce have gone on to become police officers, lawyers and entrepreneurs.
This week we have seen how the streets embrace our youth. Gang culture envelopes the willing and the forgotten, taking them down a road that only has one conclusion: death. We must all do our part to welcome the youth and give them responsibilities. Mayor Emanuel once said “Kids cannot be what they cannot see.” He is right.
When they begin in the next few weeks, please welcome them. They are learning and our collective patience will help them and us.
