Year Up enables highly motivated, low-income young adults to move from minimum wage to meaningful careers in just one year, by providing the skills, experience, and support they need to reach their full potential. Students spend the first six months learning in-demand technical and professional skills, focusing on one of four career pathways, before applying their skills during a six-month corporate internship. Throughout the program, students earn an educational stipend, and complete coursework eligible for college credits.
Year Up Chicago has served more than 1,275 students since its founding in 2010. In 2018, we will have served over 250 students in two campuses, including one in Harold Washington College. With ambitious plans to grow and scale to serve even more students in the future, we can’t do it without your support! Our graduates are thriving with 90% employed and/or enrolled in post-secondary education within four months of completing the program, they are earning on average $19 per hour, equal to about $38,000 per year, well above the federal minimum wage. Our impressive student outcomes demonstrates how Year Up empowers young adults to move from minimum wage to meaningful careers in just one year.
Giving Tuesday is an international day dedicated to individuals coming together to make gifts in support of nonprofits that are important to them. The Salem Family Foundation has challenged Year Up to secure 500 gifts. If we do, they will give $50,000 in support of Year Up’s mission. Will you help us reach 500 gifts by making a gift of today? You will help us secure an additional $50,000, and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar!
Your support provides young adults we serve with the resources and services they need to reach their true potential. Some example of how your gift can help include:
- $50 to support four students with an Executive Networking Lunch
- $100 to equip one student with a business professional outfit
- $250 to support two students with a one-month transportation pass
- $500 to support two students with certification exams
- $1000 to provide five students with access to technology for one year