Youth Opportunities

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WHAT EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR CHA YOUTH IN THE SUMMER AND DURING AFTERSCHOOL HOURS?  

Visit our page on the My CHI. My Future. app to learn more about upcoming out-of-school opportunities for youth in Chicago!

CHA offers a number of afterschool and summer learning programs that provide public housing and HCV youth with opportunities to learn about college and careers, participate in paid internships and work experiences as well as community service projects, and develop employability skills. 

The Chicago Housing Authority offers many paid opportunities both in-person and virtual, for you to spend your summer working, learning, creating, and development. For more information about these programs, call the Youth Info-line at 312.786.6930 or email youthopportunities@thecha.org

 


Chicago Park District

The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) partners with the Chicago Park District to provide a limited number of year-round memberships to CHA public housing residents and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) participants. The membership and discounted registration allows children between the ages of 6 and 12, to register to attend Summer Day Camp and fall, winter and spring Park Kids Programs at any Chicago Park District location that offers these programs. As a CHA member, the cost per session is typically only $15 and the total cost for the year, if a child attends all sessions, would be $60 for each child – Extended Summer Day Camp and any Vacation Camp costs an additional $5 per session. 

Baseball

CHA is also proud to announce that the membership allows people with disabilities to attend Special Recreation Day Camp sessions for only $15 during the summer and Special Recreation Leisure Programs during the fall, winter and spring at no cost. There is no age requirement to register for Special Recreation Day Camp or Leisure Programs for CHA participants with disabilities where these programs are offered. For more information on the discounted camp program, visit your local park or contact your FamilyWorks provider, LAC president, HCV regional office, the CHA Park Membership Hotline (for CHA park district membership inquiries only) at (312) 786-6656.  For a list of the Chicago Park District’s recreational programs, dates and times, visit the Chicago Park District, call (312) 742-PLAY (7529) or visit your local park.

For information about the Chicago Park District’s Special Recreation programs, call 312-742- 5798 or email special.recreation@chicagoparkdistrict.

In addition to membership benefits, CHA partners with the Chicago Park District to offer the Counselor in Training Program, a summer program to provide teens 15 years of age an opportunity to work as a Counselor in Training (CIT). CIT participants gain skills in leadership, financial literacy, enjoy fun challenges, unique perspectives from guest speakers and learn about using Chicago parks safely. 

The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS)

CHA youth can access existing afterschool programs free of charge through CHA’s partnership with the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS)

Click here to join a program near you. 

FamilyWorks Onsite Direct Youth Programs

FamilyWorks plays a vital role in connecting youth to appropriate engagement opportunities, along with resources and supports needed to foster the development of academic achievement. FamilyWorks also provides youth programming, which takes place in the afternoon and evening hours and during the spring and fall, at CHA developments. For more information, contact your FamilyWorks provider