Fostering Hope, Building Community This Summer
Hello Friends!
As we head into Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer in Chicago, we must not forget last year at this time more than 50 people were shot, 11 fatally, over the holiday weekend. Summer in Chicago is a wonderful time in our city, but poses many challenges and safety concerns for teenagers in our program who have very real fears to consider when navigating summer jobs. We have been working diligently over the winter and spring months to refine and provide community-based programming that listens to and meets our youth where they are, addressing disparities, threat of violence, addressing their trauma and most importantly—making sure they have OPPORTUNITY.
Our Keeping Grounded Summer Internship Program provides a multi-faceted approach of on-site work experience, skill development, workshops that expose long term career opportunities and trauma therapy for our West Side teens that address the whole person. We consider each participant, along with their needs and interests, when placing them in paid internships with the following community partnerships:
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*Keeping Grounded Garden Program-Interns will grow and harvest nutritious produce on-site for Circle Urban Food Pantry to feed people in the Austin community weekly, taking a proactive approach in addressing the food desert issue
*One Circle Summer Camp in partnership with Circle Urban Ministries and Camp Out For Kids that will enhance summer camp for 75 youth ages K-8
*Ida’s Ice Cream and Artisan Treats employment will enhance culinary arts development
*Wildman B + T ongoing workforce training
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We are proud to have a 100% retention rate of returning students. While it is exciting for the advancement of our programming, unfortunately we have a waitlist of many more teens that would love a spot in our program. We can’t do this without the support of YOU, our donors. Please consider making a gift as we head into the summer months and help us bring critical change and growth to participants in our program.
It all starts with ONE!
Meghan Olson—Founder & Executive Director, One For One Chicago
Meet Dr. Terence D. Swims,
Chief Operating Officer!
We are thrilled to have Dr. Swims join our team, bringing his passion and expertise to advance our operations, with a focus on expanding our reach to have the strongest impact on the people and communities we serve.
“I am elated to join One for One Chicago to help advance the impactful work already underway! I am a product of grit, investment and opportunity and I am devoted to our mission, including fostering values and creating endless opportunities for Chicago’s youth. ”
One For One participants came together at our West Side garden site last month to clean up, weed, rake and prep the garden for our summer months. New and exciting garden improvements are coming this summer, so stay tuned!
One For One Gear at Cloztalk.com!
Our friends at ClozTalk have a branded apparel company dedicated to making a positive impact in the world by raising awareness and sparking conversations over the meaningful work that nonprofits are doing. Check out our One For One ClozTalk page to learn more and purchase your gear!