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Top US companies deliver hope to thousands of Chicago youths at job fair Top US companies deliver hope to thousands of Chicago youths at job fair
(35 minutes later)
More than 3,500 young people attended Chicago’s McCormick Place conference center on Thursday for a job fair launching a project aiming to provide 100,000 jobs primarily to African American and Latino youth.More than 3,500 young people attended Chicago’s McCormick Place conference center on Thursday for a job fair launching a project aiming to provide 100,000 jobs primarily to African American and Latino youth.
The 100,000 Opportunities initiative is a new program spearheaded by Starbucks aimed at trying to help the roughly 5.5 million Americans aged 16 to 24 who do not have jobs and have dropped out of education, a group economists have dubbed “disconnected youth”.The 100,000 Opportunities initiative is a new program spearheaded by Starbucks aimed at trying to help the roughly 5.5 million Americans aged 16 to 24 who do not have jobs and have dropped out of education, a group economists have dubbed “disconnected youth”.
Chipotle, Nordstroms and JC Penny and more than 25 other companies are also involved. By 2018 they hope to give at least 100,000 youth “opportunities” including apprenticeships, internships, training programs and both part-time and full-time jobs. Chipotle, Nordstrom and JC Penney and more than 25 other companies are also involved. By 2018 they hope to give at least 100,000 youth “opportunities” including apprenticeships, internships, training programs and both part-time and full-time jobs.
Organizers estimate that around 1,000 young people in Chicago on Thursday were interviewed and hired on the spot.Organizers estimate that around 1,000 young people in Chicago on Thursday were interviewed and hired on the spot.
Angel Gandy, 17, already works three other jobs, but wanted to check out the job fair to help with her college tuition.Angel Gandy, 17, already works three other jobs, but wanted to check out the job fair to help with her college tuition.
“School expenses are going to be totally high this year,” she said. “So I really want to pay that off and put some money down for my college tuition.”“School expenses are going to be totally high this year,” she said. “So I really want to pay that off and put some money down for my college tuition.”
She had an interview with Starbucks, she said, “and I think I got that! If I get this job I will have to quit one of my jobs … [Starbucks] would be an upgrade.”She had an interview with Starbucks, she said, “and I think I got that! If I get this job I will have to quit one of my jobs … [Starbucks] would be an upgrade.”
Gandy’s work situation and background seemed the norm at the fair.Gandy’s work situation and background seemed the norm at the fair.
“The biggest obstacle for young people making good decisions is a lack of opportunity,” US secretary of education Arnie Duncan said after the fair at a press conference. “If all these companies can step forward and say: ‘We believe in you. You may have had some bumps on the road but we are going to give you a second chance,’ it’s just an amazing opportunity for them. “The biggest obstacle for young people making good decisions is a lack of opportunity,” US secretary of education Arne Duncan said after the fair at a press conference. “If all these companies can step forward and say: ‘We believe in you. You may have had some bumps on the road but we are going to give you a second chance,’ it’s just an amazing opportunity for them.
“And I am convinced that long term this will lead to less crime and less violence and safer neighborhoods,” he continued. “And I am convinced that long term this will lead to less crime and less violence and safer neighborhoods,” he said.
Cook County board president Toni Preckwinkle worked with mayor Rahm Emanuel to ensure the program launched in Chicago. “It’s of vital importance that we honestly confront the issues of unemployment and disengagement that African American and Latino youth face,” she said. Those two groups had the lowest labor force participation rates in the country, she noted. Cook County board president Toni Preckwinkle worked with Mayor Rahm Emanuel to ensure the program launched in Chicago. “It’s of vital importance that we honestly confront the issues of unemployment and disengagement that African American and Latino youth face,” she said. Those two groups had the lowest labor force participation rates in the country, she noted.
“Employed teens face a better fate in life. They tend to have higher earning potential than those who didn’t get jobs as teens,” she said. “Employed teens are also more likely to enroll and graduate from college because they learn on the job persistence and dependability.”“Employed teens face a better fate in life. They tend to have higher earning potential than those who didn’t get jobs as teens,” she said. “Employed teens are also more likely to enroll and graduate from college because they learn on the job persistence and dependability.”
Brandon Wright from the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago had interviews with four companies at the job fair, and said he was hopeful he would get one of the jobs so he could continue working when his summer job ended.Brandon Wright from the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago had interviews with four companies at the job fair, and said he was hopeful he would get one of the jobs so he could continue working when his summer job ended.
“This summer I was given the chance to have a paid summer job,” the 18-year-old said. “And one of the things I learned this summer is the importance of giving back to the community.”“This summer I was given the chance to have a paid summer job,” the 18-year-old said. “And one of the things I learned this summer is the importance of giving back to the community.”
“This is very personnel for me,” Howard Schultz, chief executive officer of Starbucks, said in his closing remarks to members of the press. “I grew up in public housing in Brooklyn, New York and could have very easily fallen through he cracks and been defined by my station in life. “This is very personnel for me,” Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said in his closing remarks. “I grew up in public housing in Brooklyn, New York, and could have very easily fallen through he cracks and been defined by my station in life.
“We have to make a promise and commitment to these young people that today their lives are not going to be defined by their current station in life,” he said to applause.“We have to make a promise and commitment to these young people that today their lives are not going to be defined by their current station in life,” he said to applause.
Shortly after his closing statements, the crowd at the Chicago convention center were moved into the main auditorium where Common, Chance the Rapper, will.i.am and other musicians surprised the young people with a live concert.Shortly after his closing statements, the crowd at the Chicago convention center were moved into the main auditorium where Common, Chance the Rapper, will.i.am and other musicians surprised the young people with a live concert.
A Chipotle staff member who was sent to help with the recruiting stood exhausted towards the back of the auditorium and looked at the stage in awe.A Chipotle staff member who was sent to help with the recruiting stood exhausted towards the back of the auditorium and looked at the stage in awe.
“I can’t believe we hired 95 people today,” he said. “But what are these dances they’re doing?”“I can’t believe we hired 95 people today,” he said. “But what are these dances they’re doing?”