Chicago Youth Workforce Program Faces Funding Cut, Jeopardizing Fall Programming
Save Our City, Save Our Future, a Chicago-area nonprofit providing paid trade training and career skills to young people aged 16 to 24, is facing a significant challenge as its current state funding is set to expire on August 31. This expiration puts fall programming on hold and leaves over 40 young individuals on a waiting list. Since last summer, the organization has served more than 120 participants, offering hands-on experience in construction and other trades, alongside financial literacy, conflict resolution, and professional development. Participants are paid $17 an hour for up to 20 hours a week and receive support for food, transportation, uniforms, safety equipment, and professional certifications. The governor's office has stated that the funding was a one-time appropriation and not intended to be an ongoing annual allocation, a point of contention with the organization which views it as a loss of funding. 
