CHICAGO—(ENEWSPF)—June 2, 2014. Nearly 1,000 young people from the Chicago area attended a Youth Summit and Job Expo Saturday hosted by Congresswoman Robin Kelly at Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy.
Representatives from more than 50 companies and agencies, including Nike, Walmart, CVS and the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, were on hand to accept applications for active job openings and internships. The summit also offered workshops on interview skills, resume writing, financial responsibility and building positive work habits. In addition, more than 200 young people listened to a Youth Panel discuss issues confronting today’s young people, including violence within the community.
“The huge turnout demonstrates that our youth are eager to work this summer and are actively seeking employment,” Rep. Kelly said. “Providing jobs for our young people is key to reducing the violence on our streets. The summit was about instilling hope in our young people and showing them that there is a caring and concerned community here that is listening to them and that supports them.”
Rep. Kelly took a moment to honor the memory of Dr. Betty Howard, a teacher at the school who was the unintended victim of a shooting last week. Instead of a moment of silence, Rep. Kelly asked everyone to take a stand against gun violence.
“Stand up for Dr. Howard,” Rep. Kelly said. “Stand up for the friends, neighbors and loved ones we’ve lost. Stand up for yourselves and your right to live without the threat of gun violence. We, in this room, have the power to end this epidemic.”
The Youth Panel included remarks from Father Michael Phleger and Erica Hubbard, an actress who grew up on Chicago’s South Side and now stars in the popular TV series, “Let’s Stay Together.”
Source: robinkelly.house.gov
