By Nick Gale, WLS-AM News
(CHICAGO) The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has unveiled a new program to help youth and young adults.
The Illinois Building Futures program is aimed at expanding work and career readiness resources outside of Cook County for youth in care and young adults.
More than 100 young adults in foster care will receive employment opportunities because of this unique partnership between the public and private sectors.
“I want to urge the businesses of Illinois to give special attention to hiring young people who are and have been in foster care. They are overcoming challenges that most of us never have to experience,” said DCFS Director George H. Sheldon. “I want the business community to learn what we already know, our children in care are remarkable people with valuable skill sets and they are like any other children, just looking for an opportunity to grow, to learn, to achieve.”
Youth and young adults who participate in the Building Futures program will have access to approved training programs and employment services through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
A pilot program will first be launched this July in Marion-Mt. Vernon, Champaign, Peoria and Rockford.
@ 2016 WLS-AM News
