Workforce Development Program (ages 15-24)

Youth Crossroads’ Workforce Development Program is designed to give high school students and young adults (ages 15-24) in Cicero, Berwyn, Stickney, Lyons, Summit, and Forest View the introductory training they need to get good paying jobs and develop meaningful careers. The program is designed to encourage youth to explore different career paths that reflect their passions and interests. Our workforce development program supports high school students and young adults regardless of their prior academic achievement or life experiences. Stipends are also available to help students who require financial assistance to participate.

For more information, contact Arafat Olori, Youth Crossroads Workforce Development Coordinator at [email protected] or enroll in classes clicking here

REQUEST FOR SERVICES

COMPETENCIES:

Youth Crossroads Workforce Development Program introduces students to six core competencies that are crucial for achieving success in the workplace.

1 – Communication – Listening
2 – Cognition – Problem Solving
3 – Personal Effectiveness – Accountability, Dependability, Self- Management, Stress Tolerance
4 – Interaction with Others
5 – Occupational – Professional Presentation
6 – Management Qualities – Leadership, Planning, Organizing

Career Exploration Phase (AGES 15-18)

Youth have the opportunity to explore different career fields of interest. During this stage, they can connect with industry professionals, acquire knowledge, and gain practical experience in various professions. Previously, participants have engaged in the Nail Tech Cohort, Coding Cohort, Community Health Worker Cohort, First Responder Cohort, Virtual Reality Cohort, Entrepreneurship Cohort, as well as Real Estate, Cosmetology, Studio Make Up, and School Mental Health workshops.

Career Exploration Phase Testimonials Youth & Caregivers:
FALL 2023 SURVEY DATA · CLICK HERE
SPRING 2024 SURVEY DATA · CLICK HERE
SPRING 2024 SURVEY DATA · CLICK HERE

Fall 2024 Cohort Coming Soon:
Ceramics Cohort · Community Health Worker Cohort · School Mental Health Cohort · Cosmetology Cohort · Virtual Reality

Past Cohorts:
Nail Tech Cohort · First Responder Cohort · Coding Cohort · School Mental Health Cohort · Mash-Up Cohort (Investments, Real Estate, Culinary) · Entrepreneurship Cohort

Interest Form:

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Career & Professional Development Phase (AGES 18-24)

Youth have the opportunity to work individually with a Workforce Development Specialist to receive assistance with resumes and cover letters, GED preparation, interview training, job applications, internship and job placement, and employment readiness workshops. This phase is customized to meet each youth where they are in their journey.

Interest Form:

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GSI Mentorship Program:

The GSI Program is offered through a collaboration amongst Youth Crossroads Programs. These programs are the Youth Connection Academics Program, Youth Leadership Program, and Workforce Development Program.

The Mission of the GSI Mentorship Program is to develop leaders that can serve effectively and efficiently in the Workforce. The GSI Mentorship Program seeks to equip youth like you with social skills, leadership skills, problem solving skills, organization skills, emotional intelligence, teamwork and so much more.

GSI Mentors have a range of responsibilities throughout the mentorship program. In this program high school students will learn what it means to be accountable, dependable, reliable, a team player, along with other core values to be successful in the workplace.

Testimonials from GSI Mentors

Working with the kids, working with others, and just being around a safe environment! Helping out and just being a leader that the kids at the program were comfortable with talking to and playing with, made my day even better every time I came into the room!

Flora OrtizGSI Mentor ‘24

My favorite part of being a GSI mentor was making bonds with the students like being someone they can talk to and be comfortable about their feelings and being there for them

Zavian LopezGSI Mentor ‘24

Partner with Youth Crossroads Workforce Development Program

Are you interested in partnering with the Youth Crossroads Workforce Development Program to offer paid and unpaid internships, employment, and volunteer opportunities? Help give young people meaningful, hands-on experiences that provide valuable learning opportunities. Experience is the best teacher, and we would love to collaborate with you. Fill out the interest form below

TESTIMONIALS FROM PARTNERS

For our internship program our office wanted to find students passionate for service and local to our district. Youth Crossroads facilitated that search

Jacqueline CandelasOffice of Senator Javier Cervantes Manager

Youth Crossroads provided a very meaningful work opportunity to our intern. He learned professionalism, time management, his work style, deadlines, and improved his communication style

Lauren Turner FsACE, Youth Services Program Manager

Staff are available responsive and knowledgeable. Their assistance in the hiring process proved to be a great asset in getting the right people for the job

Margo Ruark Baila Conmigo | Dance With Me, Studio Owner & Artistic Director

Interest Form:

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Interns Spotlight:

Edith-Landeros

Brandon-Elias

Pedro-Arteaga

As a youth with no previous experience in a work environment, I was able to learn a lot about myself and the workforce. I was able to work on my patience with the public and learn to control my emotions during professional situations. I learned how to be more of an efficient worker and more detail oriented

Edith Landeros Guzman Baila Conmigo Dance with Me Studios Intern ‘24

When I first began the internship, I was shy and didn’t speak much to anyone. However, as I continued the internship, I began speaking to the mentors and teachers, along with the children and began to feel more comfortable and confident in my ability to speak to people

Brandon Elias Compudopt Intern ‘24

In my opinion, what I found most valuable about the internship was the feedback I received on how much I helped Baila Conmigo grow as an organization. My contributions to Baila Conmigo have grown their online presence. Thank you, Youth Crossroads and Margo Ruark for blessing me with the opportunity to work with you on this journey

Pedro Arteaga Baila Conmigo Dance with Me Studios Intern ‘24

Statistics for Workforce Development Phase:

In 2024, 102 youth have successfully completed Employment Readiness Activities in the Youth Crossroads Workforce Development Program

In 2024, Youth Crossroads Workforce Development Program has served 133 youth

In 2024, 16 youths were assisted with employment services

Parent Feedback:

I believe this is a great program for our community. The program was great, Kenneth was a little confused at the beginning, but he was given the tools to succeed in this program

Victor VizuetaCaregiver ‘24

My daughter is enjoying the program and learning a lot. I think it’s a great program to show our youth that there are opportunities out there for them to learn and grow in a career that they will enjoy and excel in

Nancy LopezCaregiver ‘24

I think it’s an enormous opportunity to engage kids in their interested trade. Please continue this program

Linda RobledoCaregiver ‘24

I only found the program by pure luck in a Google search for something else. Maybe letting surrounding towns post about your program in their local newsletters would be an idea

Carrie CameronCaregiver ‘24

Fall 2024 Youth Data Key Points

AT&T Partnership/Tech Ambassador Internship

4 youth interns successfully participated in AT&T Tech Ambassador internship
– Facilitated 3 computer literacy workshops and family night (laptop & gift card giveaway) or 25 peers

Feedback on learning from interns:
▪ “I managed to work with other people better and learned about computer skills I
could use.”
▪ “How to work better as a team, and how to teach a class and how to teach
material I’ve been instructed to do.”
▪ “I’ve been able to help develop my public speaking skills more, my ability to
communicate more effectively with a team & being able to help develop
informational slideshows.”
▪ “I’ve gotten over my social anxiety fear.”

Workshop series served 25 high school aged youth, which received a free laptop and $15 giftcard at the end of the program
– 100% completion rate for feedback survey
– 84% (21/25) of participants strongly agreed that the workshop series was a positive and safe experience for them / 16% (4/25) agreed
– 68% (17/25) strongly agreed that the workshop series helped them improve their knowledge on computer literacy / 32% (8/25) agreed

Career Exploration – Cohorts

– 56 total youth served in Fall 2024 cohorts

– 100% completion rate for feedback survey, 59 total responses

– 98.31% of youth said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their cohort experience:
34 out of 59 responses (~57.63%) said they were “Very Satisfied”
24 out of 59 responses (~40.68%) said they were “Satisfied”

– 98.3% of youth said they were likely or very likely to recommend other youth to YC WFD
33 out of 59 responses (~55.93%) said they were “Very Likely” to recommend other youth to YC WFD
25 out of 59 responses (~42.37%) said they were “Likely” to recommend other youth to YC WFD

– 93.22% of youth said they agree or strongly agree that the program was a beneficial and meaningful experience for them
31 out of 59 responses (~52.54%) said they “Strongly Agree”
24 out of 59 responses (~40.68%) said they were “Agree”

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