CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) announced the launch of Chicago Youth Works, the city’s rebranded youth employment initiative, and the start of applications for summer jobs and career exploration opportunities for youth ages 14 to 24 in 2026. The online application portal is now live and can be accessed at ChicagoYouthWorks.org. The application deadline is May 29.
Formerly known as One Summer Chicago, Chicago Youth Works is a collaborative youth employment program that works with local businesses, nonprofits, and city agencies to provide paid work experiences for young people. Opportunities include paid career exploration programs for 14- and 15-year-olds, summer jobs, and year-round employment.
Under Mayor Johnson’s administration, youth employment opportunities have grown significantly. His efforts to secure more funding and expand partnerships have resulted in a more than 55% increase in job opportunities for young people since he took office. In 2025, 31,119 young people were hired for summer jobs.
“Young people are the future of Chicago, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the opportunities they need and deserve,” said Mayor Johnson. “Chicago Youth Works goes beyond summer jobs: it offers real-world experience, leadership development, and the ability for young people to make a difference in their communities. By empowering tens of thousands of young people across the city, we are investing in the strength, resilience, and future of Chicago.”
During the program’s rebranding process, city staff ensured that the voices, ideas, and interests of young people were part of every stage of the name creation and selection. It was the young people themselves who proposed “Chicago Youth Works” and the program’s new tagline—“Get Paid. Get Skilled. Get Ahead.”—and who also participated in reviewing and deciding on the initiative’s new visual designs.
The result is a refreshed identity that recognizes both the efforts of the city’s youth and the significantly expanded reach of the second-largest youth employment program run by the nation’s largest city.
“Chicago’s youth are ready for the opportunity to grow and succeed,” said DFSS Commissioner Angela Green. “We see it in the fantastic stories of their work experiences with us each summer, and also in their career trajectories after building valuable foundations and connections. We are so proud to have expanded these opportunities under the Johnson administration and to have reimagined the city’s youth program brand in a way that puts young people at the center and truly reflects their perspectives and creative vision.”
In 2025, all program participants completed 2.84 million hours of project-based work and learning, collectively earning over $30.9 million in wages. Ninety-two percent of the young people who completed the impact survey said they “learned new job skills,” and 95 percent indicated that the program “helped them feel confident at work.”
Several participants highlighted how the experience helped them increase their confidence and feel prepared for the future of work. One explained that it wasn’t just about having a job, but about learning to work as a team, communicate better, and take on meaningful responsibilities. Another participant said the experience allowed them to feel more capable of facing the real job market, improve their time management, and gain confidence in their own abilities.
The five communities with the most hires last year included two on the West Side and three on the South Side, with Austin leading the way with 1,892 hires. The city saw double-digit decreases in shootings and homicides in the areas where the most young people were hired.
Chicago Youth Works is managed by the DFSS, which serves as the program’s data center, and receives direct support from the Mayor’s Office for Education and Youth Services (EDYS).
In addition, several partner organizations, including Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Park District, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Transit Authority, City Colleges of Chicago, After School Matters, and Chi-Cook Workforce Partnership, make the initiative possible.
Chicago Youth Works offers three main programs:
- Chicago Youth Service Corps (CYSC): A year-round program for youth ages 16 to 24, focused on leadership and civic engagement.
- Chicagobility: A program for 14- and 15-year-olds with project-based learning experiences and skills development.
- Summer Youth Employment Program
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