HUMBOLDT PARK — A summer of hard work and learning has concluded for a group of youth interns at Jona Siko’s Print Studio, where hands-on experience is bridging the gap between education and professional careers.
Nineteen-year-old Demetrius Brown has become familiar with a long commute, traveling two hours from Morgan Park to Humboldt Park three times a week to fulfill his role at the print studio, located at 2603 W. North Ave.
Despite the extensive travel required, Brown views the opportunity as invaluable, saying, “I never did anything in this kind of area … but that’s cool.”
Under the mentorship of Siko, Brown has been exposed to a variety of skills including printing, accounting, marketing, and analytics. “Now I’m doing books and all that stuff. So I’m doing printing a lot and other things that could further help my career choices,” he added proudly during a recent afternoon shift.
Brown is among eight young individuals who participated in the One Summer Chicago initiative, a city-sponsored program aimed at providing youth employment which is set to end this week.
Siko has expressed gratitude for the assistance from the interns, especially as she nurtures her budding print shop since its opening in December.
The interns have alleviated some of the workload in her business, allowing Siko to delegate tasks she would not typically be able to afford. “Any extra pairs of hands is a huge help because I wouldn’t be able to afford having extra eight employees,” Siko explained.
The presence of the interns has not only helped Siko manage tasks efficiently; they’ve also introduced new concepts and strategies, enriching Siko’s business approach.
Samantha Vargas, another 19-year-old intern who commutes from Elmwood Park alongside her friend Elizabeth Sanchez, has relished this learning experience. A marketing major at Wright College, Vargas sees her internship as a great fit for her career aspirations.
“This is my first opportunity that’s for the experience and what I am studying,” Vargas said.
She also highlighted personal benefits from the internship, stating, “It has helped me to speak more English and get better.”
Gratitude for these enriching experiences permeates the thoughts of all interns as they prepare to return to school. Many look back on their time at the print studio as a pivotal moment in their personal and professional growth.
“I just wanted to work while I was out of school for summer vacation and have something to preoccupy my time so I wouldn’t just be at home or outside 24/7,” Brown reflected about his motives for joining the program.
Sanchez, who immigrated to the Chicago area from Ecuador two years ago, underscored the internship’s role in bolstering her work ethic and providing financial independence.
“I am getting experience in the workforce, and it’s a way to have my own money to support my family and learn new skills,” Sanchez shared.
Despite the positivity surrounding the internship, there are notable challenges impacting the broader program landscape.
Most of the youth working under Siko enrolled through ASPIRA, a nonprofit organization collaborating with the One Summer Chicago initiative to generate employment opportunities for more than 300 young people ages 16 to 24.
Tania Martinez, ASPIRA’s youth center program manager, explained that the organization partners each summer with local businesses to create jobs for youths in a variety of capacities.
This summer, however, ASPIRA struggled with funding constraints. The city’s Department of Family and Support Services reduced the budget for summer programs from $62 million last year to $52 million this year due to a loss of federal funding that was previously used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, ASPIRA had to release 15 staff members that normally play key roles in managing the youth employment program, leaving only two individuals to oversee operations. Martinez noted that this reduction in staff meant fewer opportunities for mentorship and support for the interns.
Consequently, some businesses hesitated to participate in the program due to the diminished presence of ASPIRA staff members who previously nurtured relationships with them.
Amid these challenges, there is a silver lining as One Summer Chicago has reported substantial growth during Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration. The initiative successfully created over 30,000 jobs for young individuals this summer, reflecting a 47 percent increase since Johnson’s term began.
Looking ahead, key stakeholders are uncertain about the impact of potential future federal funding cuts. A spokesperson for the city stated, “Federal funding cuts have not yet impacted these programs, but future federal funding cuts may pose a risk to the city’s ability to continue to contribute corporate funding to the One Summer Chicago program, along with many other vital City programs and services.”
As these youth interns conclude their valuable summer experience, their growth and newfound skills stand testament to the importance of initiatives like One Summer Chicago in preparing young individuals for the workforce.
image source from：blockclubchicago
