June 2021 Participant of the Month

Age: 24
Position:  Security and Safety Officer
Employer: Kates Security and Moore Security Employed:  April 2021

Jarvis has been a participant with YJC since September 2019. He is the eldest in his family and has one younger  sibling and is born and raised on the south side of Chicago. In his spare time, Jarvis enjoys playing video games and watching sci-fi movies. Jarvis completed Work Readiness Training upon his enrollment and loved it. He participated actively, gave great insight and built strong relationships with his peers. After completion of Work Readiness Training, there was a moment in Jarvis’s life where he experienced tremendous personal challenges that got in the way of him of achieving his employment/career goals— this made him distant from his Career Advisor and others in his life that was there to support him. Jarvis began working at temp agencies in order to provide for himself and his family. He soon realized that he wanted to do more and wanted to begin his career.

Upon scrolling through Linked In, Jarvis connected with the amazing team at Kates Detective Agency and enrolled into their services to obtain his PERC certification for security. As a result of this determination and fearlessness, he also pursued his Flagger and Forklift certification. He is now working part-time at Kates and part-time at Moore Security doing what he enjoys. Jarvis has been hitting it out of the park with his goals. He even achieved his long time personal goal of car ownership. He purchased his car in May 2021. When asked, what advice would you give to someone your age who is working on their career/employment goals, Jarvis has this to say..

“No matter how tough your situation is, keep pushing on toward success”.

May 2021 Participant of the Month

Age: 18
Position: Lead Cashier
Employer: Old Navy -NorthBrook
Employed: August 2020

Mashelle is a current Senior at Niles North High School and had her first encounter with the Youth Job Center when she received an email from her school’s Counselor regarding an employment opportunity at Old Navy during the beginning of the pandemic. The new “Virtual” process for finding work plus learning all the needed skills for being successful at getting a job presented a new challenge to everyone involved as YJC’s Work Readiness Trainings were only being offered in remote/virtual settings in an effort to adhere to health and safety protocol because of Covid restrictions.

Nevertheless, Mashell was up for the challenge and attended the Old Navy customized Virtual Trainings/Interview were she learned the importance of being Customer “Centric” and new Old Navy lingo terms like BOPIS(Buy Online Pick Up in Store) which is a very valuable service that Old Navy now has for its patrons. Mashell learned the art of how to “Smize” along with the importance of ensuring that you are using the right Non Verbal body cues as you greet customers that come into the Brand Stores.

Just recently, Mashell was invited to attend Old Navy’s Store Kick Off Event for 2021. She shared her story and journey starting off as an Old Navy Brand Associate, receiving Employee of the Month, getting a promotion to a Lead Cashier, and now being accepted into Illinois Institute of Technology-Go Hawks!!!

The Youth Job Center is so excited for Mashell as she continues to make great strides and gain opportunities to enhance her professional development by receiving ongoing support not only by the Youth Job Center but also being able to be a part of the Old Navy’s Talent Accelerator Program where she gets mentoring and upskilling knowledge from Old Navy’s Upper Field and Leaders.

We see you Mashell & so excited to watch you reaching great heights on your Career Pathway!

April 2021 Participant of the Month

Age: 23
Position: Dump Truck Driver
Employer: Virto & Son Truck, Inc.
Employed Since: April 2021

Jaffet enrolled into Youth Job Center’s Career Pathways Program in October 2019 with two major goals, 1. Obtain his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), 2. Secure employment in the truck driving industry. With his focus set on those goals, Jaffet began working diligently to achieve his dreams. From November 2019 through November 2020 Jaffet attended Mexico Juarez Driving School’s Accelerated Professional CDL Course where he participated in classes regularly and showcased his commitment toward securing the licensing needed for a career as a licensed CDL driver. During the 240 hours of CDL training, Jaffet was provided with one-one-one instruction to prepare him to drive in different traffic environments, as well as, received training to safely handle semi tractor-trailers in public streets and highways. On November 11, 2020 Jaffet successfully completed his Accelerated Professional CDL Course and obtained his Commercial Driver’s License! Although the global pandemic changed the timeline of his plans, Jaffet persisted and with the support of his family, and Career Advisors, he submitted employment applications without a doubt that he would be hired.

As of April 2021, YJC is excited to announce that Jaffet is working at Virto & Son Truck Inc. as a full-time Dump Truck Driver where he offers businesses fast response and cost-effective dump truck services which includes the removal of dirt, concrete, mixed loads, and assistance with the transportation of materials to job sites. Jaffet is enthusiastic to share that with his starting pay rate of $25 per/hour, he has not only achieved his goals, but is also making a sustainable life for himself in the CDL industry!

#WayToGoJaffet #CDLProfessional

March 2021 Participant of the Month

Age: 19
Position: Activity Aide
Employer: Alden Village North
Employed Since: December 2020

Tahja enrolled into Youth Job Center’s Career Pathways Program in July 2019 and since then has been working diligently to achieve her goals. From September 2019 through April 2020 Tahja attended Chicago Community Learning Center’s Patient Care Technician (PCT) with Computer Fundamentals Program and expressed excitement to start working toward her career in the healthcare industry. During the PCT program, the global pandemic shifted Tahja’s schooling from in-person to hybrid learning, and while this unexpected event changed the timeline of her goals, Tahja zoned in on her schoolwork and successfully acquired certifications in C.N.A., Phlebotomy, EKG, Medical Terminology, and CPR. She is currently scheduling her National certification exam to become a licensed Patient Care Technician / Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Currently Tahja is working at Alden Village North as an Activity Aide where she is committed to providing quality healthcare support to the senior citizens community. Moreover, Tahja has decided to use her medical knowledge and has enrolled in the armed forces. She is scheduled for deployment into the Army in May 2021. Tahja plans to use her skills to provide medical care to military troops.

We are so proud of her commitment to serving others! Way to go Tahja!

February 2021 Client of the Month

AGE: 17
POSITION:  Retail Clerk
EMPLOYER: Mariano’s
EMPLOYED:  January 2021

Haniya is a senior at Sullivan High School. She started working at a grocery store in 2019 to help her family, but knew it wasn’t the right fit for her. In June of 2020 she sought out her career advisor Hester Buell, and together they found an opportunity that would be perfect: working at Old Navy through This Way Ahead. Through the TWA program, Haniya received training in customer service, conflict resolution, interview prep, and COVID safety practices. After completing training and working with Hester to prepare for the interview, Haniya landed the job! She began working as a Sales Associate at Old Navy in Lincolnwood mall. She got to interact with customers, and work as a part of a tight-knit team.

Once the holiday season ended, Haniya realized she wasn’t getting enough hours. She reached out to Hester again, and this time Employer Relations Manager Amanda Marks was able to provide a connection to Mariano’s. Hester helped her complete the application and prepare for the interview, and Haniya drew on her previous training and experience working at Old Navy. She was offered the job immediately, and is now working as a retail clerk at Mariano’s! She finished training and enjoys getting to work on a friendly and supportive team. Way to go, Haniya! 

January 2021 Client of the Month

AGE: 19
POSITION:  Community Healthcare Worker
EMPLOYER: Rush University Medical Center
EMPLOYED:  November 2020

Since her engagement in YJC’s Career Pathways Program, Elisabet’s focus has been to secure a long-term career in the healthcare industry. From September 2019 through December 2020, Elisabet participated in Tukiendorf Training Institute (TTI)’s Patient Care Technician (PCT) Program. During the PCT program, Elisabet gained the skills needed to transition into the medical field and earned multiple certifications in C.N.A., Phlebotomy, EKG, Medical Terminology, and CPR. Elisabet is currently completing the final course that is required to take the national certification exam to become a licensed Patient Care Technician / Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Despite the current pandemic shifting schooling from in-person to remote learning, Elisabet quickly adapted and was determined to use her medical knowledge to become involved in the growing need for medical workers. She began to actively apply to healthcare opportunities with the support of YJC’s Employment team and in November 2020, Elisabet accepted a full-time position at Rush University Medical Center as a Community Healthcare Worker! YJC is enthusiastic and thankful for Elisabet’s servitude to those impacted by COVID-19.

#Leader #ProudPatientCareProfessional #DreamsComeTrue

December 2020 Client of the Month

Age: 18
Position: Brand Associate
Employer: Old Navy-Roosevelt Collection
Employed: August 2020

In June of 2020 Old Navy Brand Stores supported the Gap Foundation Inc’s This Way Ahead Program by building on its talent recruitment strategy in partnership with Youth Job Center in Chicago.

This new pivotal strategy in which young adults within the program were interviewed, hired, and onboarded was both new and essential in efforts to support our young adult’s needs at the Youth Job Center, directly benefitting young adults like Tevin from Curie High School.

Regarding school, Tevin is meeting  the challenges that Remote Learning has presented over the last few months due to the pandemic. But most recently, Tevin was able to share other thoughts with the Chicago Old Navy Regional, Megan Clines, around what he liked most about working at his Old Navy Brand Store and what he has learned, and his response was as follows…

“I like the atmosphere of the store from the daily warm greetings from my co workers, managers, and higher ups...putting 100% trust in me to do anything well. From helping customers, seeing that I helped them with any of their needs, and most importantly knowing that I am valued. My team all works together like a small family.”

“I have learned a lot from working at Old Navy. The most important thing that I have learned is that you are never alone. There will be days that there will be obstacles, but we have a full team of people that are willing to help guide you in the right direction and help overcome these obstacles.”