YOUTH EXPERIENCE
Youth Employment Model
Youth Employment:
- Paid hourly
- 6 Weeks
- 20 Hours per week
- Must attend or be a recent graduate of participating host high school
Youth Eligibility:
- Must be 16-19 years old
- Must be able to ride a bike
- Must be comfortable working outside
- Must be authorize to legally work in the US
Youth recruitment and hiring is completed in partnership with our CPS host schools and happens in the spring.
Program Content
Bikes
Youth develop bike mechanic skills, safe city cycling experience, and an increased awareness of and appreciation for the benefits of biking.
During the first week of the program, youth build their own bike which they then ride and maintain throughout the program.
Group bike rides are the primary mode of transportation and used to mobilize their exploration of local greenspaces, communities, and more
Supporting Safe & Accessible City Cycling
In partnership with Bike Chicago CDOT program, youth who successfully complete the program are eligible to:
- Receive a bike accessory kit with a u-lock, light, bell, multi-tool, and chain lube
- Keep their bike and helmet
Gardening & Urban Agriculture
- Youth engage in service projects at community gardens and urban farms throughout the program within their local community.
- Staff and youth collaborate to design, install and maintain a garden at their school to increase the biodiversity and beautify their space.
Place-Based Experiential Learning
Place-based learning in the Greencorps Chicago Youth Program plays an essential role in creating both local and city-wide connections for youth. Through field trips, hands-on activities, and partnerships with community organizations, youth are able to learn, explore, and take ownership of their environment. These experiences build a strong sense of identity, responsibility, and community pride, while also equipping participants with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to their neighborhoods and the city at large.
Some examples of what placed-based learning look like within GCYP:
- All youth participate in a forest preserve experience, varying from learning about bird banding and migration, career shares, and exploration of local ecosystems.
- Through our partnership with the Chicago Parks District, youth gain hands-on experience in tree identification and care, including mulching.
Additional field trips, shaped by instructor and youth input, help our youth build their identity and sense of belonging within the broader City of Chicago beyond their own block or community.
