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Youth Opportunities
CHA has a variety of opportunities available for youth throughout the year. For more information, review the programs below or contact CHA's Department of Youth Opportunities at 312.786.6628 or djames@thecha.org.
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS)
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services has increased slots for CHA youth in existing After-School Programs in various community areas throughout Chicago. The program will create an additional two-hundred-twenty-five (225) slots for CHA youth in 2009.Chicago Park District
The Chicago Park District (Park District) provides recreational programs for the benefit of City of Chicago residents. Since 2003, CHA has partnered with the Park District to provide safe, positive and structured activities during the summer months when CHA children are most at risk. In recent years, CHA and the Park District have enhanced existing programming by creating a year-round voucher program to provide activities for CHA children throughout the year. CHA’s partnership with the Park District allows families who utilize the year round voucher to access these programs at a subsidized rate of $10 per child per session.Youth Scholarships
CHA partners with colleges, universities and other entities to secure post-secondary scholarships dedicated to CHA residents. CHA residents planning to attend college have a number of potential scholarship opportunities:- Windows of Opportunity (CHA’s non-profit partner) provides supplementary scholarships. Applications are available through June 15
- CHA has partnered with Posse Chicago to dedicate slots for the Posse Foundation’s scholarship competition in which successful candidates are awarded full four year scholarships
- CHA youth entering their junior or senior year of high school in fall are able to apply to the Next Step: College Prep program co-sponsored by Siemens Building Technologies, Windows of Opportunity, and CHA
Summer
Chicago Park District Summer Day Camp
The Summer Day Camp is a six week program that allows children ages 6-12 to participate in recreational and environmental activities, enjoy arts and crafts, take field trips, play sports or take a dip in the neighborhood pool in a supervised setting. Through a partnership with the Chicago Park District, up to 3,000 CHA youth can enroll in Day Camp at a cost of only $10 per child for CHA residents who utilize the top copy of their year round voucher.Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Youth Ready Chicago Summer Jobs Initiative
The Chicago Housing Authority and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services will be providing job readiness training and job placement to 900 CHA youth ages 14-24. This new initiative will offer jobs varying from retail to food service and customer service. The program will focus on employing youth within their community.Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Learn and Earn Program for Youth Ages 13-15
The Learn and Earn Program is available for teens aged of 13 to 15 living in CHA housing. Through this program, staff partners with youth in:- Developing school-readiness and study skills;
- Providing field trips to complement class activities;
- Incorporating reading, writing, math, science and technology to help develop interest in education and career;
- Providing job readiness skills;
- Dealing with peer pressure in a positive manner; and
- Experiential learning for youth focused on career exploration.
After School Matters Youth Employment Programs
After School Matters (ASM) administers a summer pre-apprenticeship employment program for teenagers aged 14-15. Participants receive a combination of academic training and professional skill development from skilled instructors who focus on teaching both the hard skills (e.g. technology, business, science, art or dance) and the soft skills (e.g. problem-solving and teamwork) necessary to function in the workplace. CHA annually contracts with After School Matters to ensure that a designated number of summer slots are available for CHA youth.Overnight Camping at Camp Rosenthal in Dowagiac, MI
Camp Rosenthal includes a 5 or 11 day camping experience on 530 wooded acres, surrounding a 30-acre lake. Children aged 7-14 who attend overnight camp will live in cabins and learn to swim, boat and fish, among other activities, this summer. There is one session at the end of the summer for whole families to attend together. The camps are accredited by the American Camping Association and follow its guidelines for a safe, healthy experience.Summer Food Program
Through a partnership with the Department of Family and Support Services, the Summer Food Program distributes breakfast and lunches through more than 500 sites, including 40 CHA development sites. Children up to age 18 may eat at any of these open sites. Locations are listed on CHA’s web site.CHA also funds a Transitional Jobs program to train residents to work in subsidized positions at the summer food sites located in CHA developments- receiving additional job training and placement support thereafter.