Forum/Discussions

Dr. Leon Finney’s Woodlawn Community Development Corporation Launches Summer Youth Jobs Program to Counter Violence in Chicago

CHICAGO – (JUNE 18, 2013) -- Hoping to address the jobs gap and widespread violence, The Woodlawn Community Development Corporation (WCDC) has launched a summer 2013 jobs campaign targeting youth in the Chicagoland area.

The campaign is a response to a decrease in jobs for youth provided by the City of Chicago and local businesses at a time when the city is experiencing high rates of youth-perpetuated violence.

The WCDC kicked off the campaign by offering 125 jobs for youth ages 13 to 24. Jobs were filled just hours after they were announced.

WCDC President Dr. Leon Finney, Jr. launched the campaign on his radio show “Another Perspective with Dr. Leon Finney, Jr.” on 1690 AM WVON radio and through WCDC social media platforms.  He challenges business owners throughout the city to offer jobs to youth and encourages owners to call in and announce job openings or communicate via the WCDC’s special email address summeryouthjobs2013@wcdc-chicago.org.

“This is a response to the level of violence that has increased in the city,” says Dr.Finney. “We want to get youth involved, further their skill sets and provide an opportunity that will be constructive. Our jobs initiative provides controlled, constructive work so that they won’t be on the streets.”

While jobs will alleviate financial worries for many youth, ultimately job advocates hope that such positions will lead to skill development and the foundation for a flourishing career.

“We want young people who are thinking about their future and the kinds of skill sets they need to be successful in a career and not be short sided with one particular job,” said Juliana Stratton,  an attorney with Cook County who works with both the county and city to provide summer jobs via www.onesummerchicago.org.  Straton was a guest on “Another Perspective” and urged businesses to look to youth for long term employment.

WCDC’s 125 jobs include work as administrative assistants; computer lab assistants; media technicians, and janitorial aides. Some youth will help build and maintain Hoop Houses, the WCDC’s greenhouses on their properties and others will create videos documenting the summer jobs program.

The summer jobs initiative will also include life enrichment workshops. “We will have conflict resolution sessions where students express through poetry and the arts,” says Shareitha Cherry, WCDC property manager.  The program will provide intergenerational activities with some youth being paired with seniors currently taking computer courses on the development’s sites.  As for those youth who are working on the Hoop Houses, they will have an opportunity to both build the facilities and grow crops for residents.  “We want youth to know that their work can be fun and help people,” says Cherry. 

For more information go on the summer youth jobs campaign, stay tuned to “Another Perspective with Dr. Leon Finney, which airs Saturdays between 4p.m.and 5 p.m. CT, on WVON 1690 AM, or visit the WCDC website at http://www.wcdc-chicago.org. To arrange an interview with Dr. Leon Finney, Jr., contact Ivan Thomas at 847.863.1067 or ivan@jerrythomaspr.com OR Jerry Thomas at 312-285-5166 or jerry@jerrythomaspr.com.