Chicago City Wire

Mayor Brandon Johnson, in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), has launched the 2025 One Summer Chicago (OSC) application portal. The initiative aims to provide paid employment opportunities and life-skills development programs to nearly 29,000 young people in the city.

“After two consecutive years of expanded youth employment, I am proud to announce that we are aiming to give one thousand more young people a paycheck and a purpose this summer through One Summer Chicago,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “We believe in our young people and we want to see them thrive. Our vision is simple: we will keep fighting until every young person who wants a job in Chicago can get one every summer.”

The OSC program collaborates with local businesses, nonprofits, and city agencies to offer six-week paid work experiences for individuals aged 14-24 during the summer months. In 2024, OSC employed 27,793 young people—a 12 percent increase from the previous year—who collectively completed nearly three million hours of work experience and earned close to $41 million in wages.

Rodrick Winston, an OSC participant through After School Matters, shared his experience: “Last summer, I was an intern in the Basketball Skills and Management Camp – which was way more than just basketball. We learned what really goes into running a sports program.” He expressed gratitude towards Mayor Johnson for funding these impactful programs.

Austin led as the community with the highest number of hires last year at 1,672. The City of Chicago directly employed 183 youths, including those in the Laborer’s Trainees Program.

Dereon Wiley, a graduate of this program who now works full-time for Streets and Sanitation as a laborer, stated: “I am truly grateful to Mayor Johnson for my job and to have the opportunity to work for the City. It provides me with a steady income to support myself and my family while allowing me to contribute to the well-being of my community.”

One Summer Chicago offers three key programs:

- Chicago Youth Service Corps (CYSC): Year-round employment focusing on leadership development and civic engagement for ages 16-24.

- Chicagobility: Project-based learning and skill-building experiences for ages 14-15.

- Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP): Job placements and training opportunities for ages 16-24.

DFSS Acting Commissioner Maura McCauley emphasized the importance of such initiatives: “Giving young people the opportunity to work is key to creating pathways to future employment. DFSS is grateful to all of the nonprofit, corporate, and public sector partners who make this possible for Chicago’s youth.”

Interested applicants can find more information or apply by visiting OneSummerChicago.org.