By Karina Martinez-CarterThe Daily Northwestern
When Evanston resident Racquel Dennis completed her eight-month internship, Northwestern threw her a party.
Dennis, a 20-year-old Jamaican immigrant, interned in NU’s Human Resources Department in Chicago, learning about business operations, helping with filing in the office and working on her resume.
Intimidated by the prospect of searching for a job on her own when Dennis immigrated to the United States a few years ago, she visited the Youth Job Center of Evanston Inc., 1114 Church St., and enrolled in their four-week job readiness program, followed by the Out-of-School Youth program. Two years later, Dennis is working toward her associate’s degree at Oakton Community College and is an employee at a Chicago accounting firm.
“Racquel is an extremely motivated person,” said Molly Mullin, the center’s Out-of-School Youth program coordinator. “She has a drive within herself and has had so many different barriers but was able to accomplish everything she needed to do. It’s been a long process, but she’s been willing to work and accepted all the different services we have to offer.”
The center helps 1,400 Evanston and area residents as young as 14 find jobs every year. The center has three core programs that can last from four weeks to two years.
The Youth Job Center of Evanston Inc. takes appointments for assistance with job applications and has satellite offices at Evanston Township High School. All of its services are free, and some, like Dennis’ tuition for Oakton Community College, are federally funded, said Sacella Smith, the Youth Job Center’s executive director.
The center partners with local businesses, including UPS, LaSalle Bank and McGaw YMCA, that either have arranged internship programs with the center or have contacted them to report open positions.
A paid staff of 11, all with degrees and experience in social work or employment training, helps to run the programs. Three NU staff members serve on the job center’s board of directors, including the board’s president, Jeff Coney, who is also NU’s director of new business initiatives.
Wendy Metter, Kellogg’s associate director of student affairs, is on the board development committee. Metter was introduced to the center two years ago, she said, after volunteering in a year-long leadership training class offered by Kellogg.
“The demographics of Evanston are such that there are a lot of youth who need to find employment that don’t necessarily have the guts, connections or networks to go out on their own and look for work,” Metter said. “This gives them a place where they can learn some basic skills before they go out.”
Smith said the center is especially crucial because it is the only one that serves Evanston, its suburbs and the North Side of Chicago. There is a big demand for their services, but the center is financially restricted from expanding too much or too quickly.
“For anyone who runs a nonprofit, funding is always a challenge,” Smith said.
Still, the center and its members find ways to build their presence and offerings without spending money.
“We’ve been doing a lot more community outreach and trying to expand our employer database,” Smith said. “We would also like to see Northwestern get more involved with placing young people in temporary jobs. We try to actively engage all of the local organizations in Evanston.”
Some NU students also visit the center to get help, Smith said. In the past, a number have utilized the center for job searching or to obtain a referral, which local businesses value, she said.
“We’re nonexclusionary,” Smith said. “If you are looking for work, we will assist you.”
Reach Karina Martinez-Carter at [email protected].
