Champaign, IL – The Urban League of Champaign County is participating in Governor Ron Blagojevich’s Summer Youth Employment Program. The Illinois “Youth Development Works” summer employment program seeks to provide a significant employment program for youth in underserved communities within the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. The purpose of this demonstration program is to assist and develop students in learning community development skills, which include leadership training, project management, life skills via a museum based project. The Orpheum Children’s Museum has been selected as the work-site. This project and its related activities will facilitate the opportunity for young adults to have a vested interest in their community. Preparing young people for the world of work is a major focus of this program instituting new opportunities for youth development in this state.

The Urban League of Champaign County contracted with the Department of Human Services to recruit high school student-interns that met the program’s family income and other guidelines. Selected high school students will be paid a stipend of $7.00 per hour and will be expected to work 20 hours per week.