Common and Rhymefest are looking to help the Chicago youth by providing jobs. Common Ground Foundation (Common) and Donda’s House Foundation (ran by Rhymefest) have linked with Chicago Urban League for an initiative to bring in 1,000 year-round jobs. The pairing came as a result of feedback from teens at the end of summer programs such as One Summer Chicago.
“Every year, we hold a hearing where young people in the summer jobs programs come and talk about the impact the jobs had on their lives. But this year, it highlighted another issue we just haven’t focused on,” said Andrea Zopp, president and and CEO of the Urban League.
“And that was that their need for a job doesn’t end in September. They have needs to support their families, take care of themselves. They want to work year-round. So in our community, we have to focus on that topic,” Zopp said.
The collaboration will include five other Chicago nonprofits that will work with the public and private sector to secure year-round jobs for those ages 16 to 24. With the program launching 1,000 jobs this September, it looks to add jobs yearly for the next four years, hopefully impacting 15,000 teens within five years.
“Any time I hear of innocent people getting shot and killed and young people with guns, it hurts. I felt I have to do more than just write songs about Chicago,” said Common
Common Ground Foundation and Donda’s House are holding an annual festival to help raise money for jobs initiative and youth programs.
via: Chicago Sun-Times
