Youth Job Center (YJC) is one of two recipients of Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® grant, awarded for their work in providing job-readiness training and support to youth in the Chicagoland area. YJC’s programs contribute to Bank of America’s goal of developing pathways to economic mobility. Neighborhood Builders® (#NeighborhoodBuilders) will provide Youth Job Center with $200,000 in flexible funding, as well leadership development support and connections to peer organizations across the U.S. over the coming year.
YJC will use the funds awarded to support the continued development and implementation of its postsecondary planning curriculum and tools for high school students across the region. YJC will also share its program components with other agencies to allow nonprofit partners, counselors and teachers to help youth explore the extent of postsecondary paths available to them. YJC will develop training support to ensure consistent, quality implementation of the curriculum in other agencies. The funds will also further the professional development training of its leadership team and staff who have supervisory responsibilities, including Executive Director, Karen Tollenaar Demorest and emerging leader and Assistant Manager for Employer and Partner Relations, Charity Freeman.
“We are honored to be the recipient of this award,” said Karen Tollenaar Demorest, Executive Director for YJC. “Every day we are reminded how tough it can be for young people to get on the path to a secure future. Our high school postsecondary planning programs work to ensure that young people have options that fit their individual interests and needs and ultimately reduce the number of young adults who become disconnected from work and school.”
