When 19-year-old Kyianna first connected with YJC in February 2025, she arrived with something invaluable: absolute focus. She knew she wanted a career in healthcare, and she was ready to put in the work to get there.

Kyianna's journey shows just how much is possible when determination meets the right resources. Over the past year, she has made the most of YJC's workforce development pathways, reaching one milestone after another. While participating in workforce readiness training, she studied for and successfully obtained her pharmacy technician license. From there, she completed a paid work experience as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens, putting her knowledge to work in a real healthcare setting.

Turning her focus to clinical skills, Kyianna enrolled in the Tukiendorf Training Institute's (TTI) phlebotomy program, with funding secured by YJC. She completed the training and passed her National Healthcare Association exam to become a fully certified phlebotomist. Not content to slow down, she then expanded her medical skill set by participating in the medical assistant program at TTI.

Kyianna's story exemplifies the true power of YJC's healthcare pathway. In just over a year, she's transformed from a high school graduate with a couple of customer service roles under her belt to a multi-certified healthcare professional with real-world medical experience.

Parkland College has launched its first healthcare registered apprenticeship in partnership with Gibson Area Hospital, creating a new pathway for students to become certified surgical technologists while earning income. 

The new apprenticeship program focuses on the occupation of surgical technologist and combines academic instruction with paid, hands-on clinical experience. Apprentices will spend two years at Parkland College completing an Associate in Applied Science degree in surgical technology in preparation for national certification. 

"This program represents an exciting milestone as Parkland’s first healthcare registered apprenticeship," Parkland Director of Apprenticeships Aimee Densmore said. "Gibson Area Hospital is deeply committed to growing its own workforce, and this model allows students to earn while they learn while preparing for in-demand careers that directly support patient care in our region."

To complete the apprenticeship, participants will spend an additional six months working full-time at Gibson Area Hospital, further developing their skills in a real-world healthcare setting. 

One unique feature of the program is the opportunity for apprentices to be paid during the clinical portion of their degree. This approach allows students to earn income while completing required clinical hours and fulfilling the related technical instruction for the apprenticeship. 

As a rural healthcare provider, Gibson Area Hospital is committed to delivering high-quality care while building a strong local workforce. The organization has a long-standing focus on developing talent from within, supporting individuals with limited experience, and guiding them toward careers as highly skilled healthcare professionals.

"Gibson Area Hospital is proud to be the first hospital to partner with Parkland’s apprenticeship program," Gibson Area Hospital Executive Director of Nursing Adrian Feldkamp said. "We have valued our collaboration with Parkland’s healthcare programs, and I'm especially excited to expand this partnership to the Surgical Technology program as a proud alumnus. Our hope is not only to support students through their training but to continue growing them and strengthening our team from within. My professional journey highlights the strength of Parkland’s education system and Gibson Area Hospital’s vision for internal growth, evolving from a surgical technologist to executive director of nursing."

Parkland College looks forward to expanding its apprenticeship programs and continuing to collaborate with industry leaders to create meaningful career pathways for students. Businesses in District 505 that wish to explore opportunities available within an apprenticeship program partnership may contact Densmore at adensmore@parkland.edu.

Individuals interested in applying for apprenticeship programs can learn more on Parkland College's website. News Release.

Parkland College is launching a new healthcare pre-apprenticeship program this summer, designed to prepare individuals for in-demand careers in the healthcare industry while creating a strong pipeline into registered apprenticeship and degree pathways.

The program will provide participants aged 16–24 with foundational skills, hands-on learning experiences, and career exploration opportunities in healthcare settings. Through a combination of classroom instruction and industry-informed training, students will gain the knowledge and confidence needed to pursue high-demand careers, including Surgical Technologist, Respiratory Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and Radiologic Technologist.

Additionally, pre-apprentices will become CPR-certified, learn to take patients' vital signs, and explore the legal and ethical considerations in healthcare careers.

Participants will also receive additional support services to help them succeed, including career coaching and guidance on transitioning to further education or employment opportunities. The program is designed to reduce barriers to entry into healthcare careers while creating accessible pathways for individuals who may not yet meet traditional program requirements.

"This pre-apprenticeship is an important step in building a more inclusive and sustainable healthcare workforce," Parkland Director of Apprenticeships Aimee Densmore said. "We’re creating opportunities for individuals to gain exposure, build skills, and confidently move into career pathways that lead to high-quality jobs."

The program also reflects Parkland’s continued collaboration with regional healthcare employers to address workforce shortages and develop local talent. By aligning training with employer needs, the college ensures participants are prepared for real-world expectations and future advancement.

Upon completion, participants will be well-positioned to transition into registered apprenticeship programs or continue their education in healthcare at Parkland College.

The summer 2026 healthcare pre-apprenticeship is now accepting applicants. Additional program details, including eligibility and application information, are available on Parkland College's website. There is no cost to participate.

This initiative is funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Apprenticeship Expansion Grant. News Release.

Dominique Smart, a participant in the JTED, IYIP, SNAP, and DHS/DRS programs, has successfully secured employment with Walgreens and will begin her new position on June 11, 2026.
Ms. Smart has been enrolled with AOGRC for less than one year and has actively participated in our subsidized work experience program. During her time in the program, she demonstrated determination and commitment to personal and professional growth. She completed all required employability training, earned her OSHA 10 Certification, and obtained a Basic Computer Skills Certificate.
Through her hard work, perseverance, and dedication to achieving her employment goals, Ms. Smart has taken an important step toward long-term career success. We are extremely proud of her accomplishments and look forward to seeing her continue to grow and thrive in her new role at Walgreens.

Journee Davis is a 16-year-old student at Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois, and the proud mother of a two-year-old son. Before enrolling in the IYIP Short Program, Journee was actively engaged with several CEDA services, including Purple X for behavioral health, CEDA Changemakers for community engagement, and WIC programs. Through these supports, she learned about the IYIP Short Program and recognized it as an opportunity to develop her skills further and pursue her career interests.
A talented artist, poet, and aspiring hairstylist, Journee was paired with Simply Beautiful Unisex Salon, a worksite that aligned closely with her long-term goals. Throughout her experience, she has gained hands-on training in a variety of hairstyling techniques and developed valuable customer service and professional skills. From greeting clients to working in a fast-paced salon environment, Journee has embraced every opportunity to learn and grow.
Despite significant challenges, including becoming a mother during high school and living in an impoverished community, Journee has remained focused on her education, personal development, and future career aspirations. Her resilience, determination, and commitment to creating a better life for herself and her son have been evident throughout her participation in the program.
Journee's journey exemplifies the impact of support services and workforce development opportunities. Through the IYIP Short Program, she is building practical skills, increasing her confidence, and taking meaningful steps toward a successful future for herself and her family.

"Apprenticeships have proven to be a vital part of growing a successful business. Our first apprentice to take on the program started his career a little timid and intimidated by the more seasoned guys. We tried breaking him out of this for a little while on our own. We have found that the apprenticeship program provides the classroom training necessary to reaffirm that what we're doing in the field is, in fact, best practice. This has given our apprentice confidence that what we are doing is right and has allowed him to break out of his timidity. The apprenticeship program for us has proven to be a confidence builder that is shared with all employees through just one."
-Jarod Carlen, Owner of F&C Concrete

Jazmine was determined to pursue a healthcare career and took the necessary steps to make that goal a reality. Through her connection with the Youth Job Center, Jazmine received the guidance, support, and resources needed to navigate her career path and achieve her professional goals.
Jazmine began her healthcare journey by completing phlebotomy training and earning her phlebotomy certification from Tukiendorf Training Institute (TTI). With a passion for continuing to develop her skills and expand her opportunities in the medical field, she enrolled in and completed the Medical Assistant program at TTI.
With the support of her YJC career coach, Jazmine completed her training. She received the resources needed to reach her goals, including tuition assistance, transportation support, and scrubs for her program and clinical experience.
Jazmine’s dedication, hard work, and eagerness to learn did not go unnoticed. She was recognized as one of the top students in her Medical Assistant class, demonstrating her commitment to excellence and passion for delivering high-quality patient care. After completing her clinical experience at PrimeCare Community Health, Jazmine successfully secured employment with the organization as a Medical Assistant. She is now beginning her career in healthcare with the same organization where she gained hands-on experience, bringing her knowledge, skills, and dedication into her new role.
In addition to building her healthcare career, Jazmine continues to grow professionally through YJC’s healthcare mentorship program, which provides additional support to further develop her skills as a healthcare professional.
Jazmine’s journey reflects the impact of determination, opportunity, and support. We are proud of all she has accomplished and excited to see her continue to grow as a healthcare professional.

I-CAR’s Illinois Clean Energy Career Pathway Project seeks to connect high school students to clean energy careers within automotive collision repair. I-CAR will deliver our Pre-Apprenticeship program to five Illinois high schools beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Through this program, students will take I-CAR’s entry-level courses to attain the Electric & Alternative Energy Vehicles Badge, which confers skills and knowledge in safety and service for electric and hybrid vehicles; tools and equipment for high-voltage systems; vehicle intake and preparation for service; and considerations for alternative energy vehicles. Equipped with our industry-recognized certifications, participants will be supported by I-CAR’s social worker in accessing connective services to our network of employers and post-secondary educational institutions across the state. I-CAR’s social worker will also provide immediate supportive services to reduce barriers to retention and completion. To further support students as they begin their clean energy careers, I-CAR will also award toolkits to those who complete the required Electric & Alternative Energy Vehicles Badge. Toolkits comprise a set of tools necessary for an entry-level technician, thereby reducing barriers to access and costs of entry. I-CAR’s partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has made possible the expansion of I-CAR’s Pre-Apprenticeship program across Illinois high schools and enabled the provision of supportive services and toolkits for participants.  
Since the start of the grant, I-CAR has been conducting initial planning and preparation ahead of the upcoming school year. I-CAR’s social worker has been collaborating with instructors and educators at our partner high schools to provide information about our program. These communications have also included providing program expectations, developing implementation plans, establishing communication and support processes, and ensuring that instructors and organizations are connected with the I-CAR curriculum necessary to deliver the program. This coordination, planning, and development phase will enable I-CAR and our educational partners to support an estimated 95 Pre-Apprentices across five high schools. 

After graduating from college in 2025, Indira was determined to continue building her career and pursue her interest in healthcare. She connected with the Youth Job Center seeking support and guidance as she worked toward becoming a Medical Assistant.
Through career coaching with YJC, Indira developed a clear pathway toward her goal and identified the steps needed to advance her healthcare career. With support from YJC, including assistance with training costs and transportation, she enrolled in TTI's Medical Assistant pathway, beginning with the required Phlebotomy program.
Indira completed the program, earned her phlebotomy certification, and continued into the Medical Assistant program, where she is currently completing her training. Her dedication to professional growth has allowed her to build the skills and experience needed to succeed in the healthcare field.
While continuing her Medical Assistant training, Indira successfully secured employment as a Medical Assistant with Integrative Mental Health and Primary Care. This opportunity allows her to apply the skills she has developed through her education while gaining valuable hands-on experience in healthcare.
Indira’s journey reflects her determination, commitment to learning, and passion for building a career in healthcare. We are proud of the progress she has made and excited to see her continue growing as a healthcare professional.

Aileen always envisioned a healthcare career, but wasn’t sure where to begin. Determined to create a better future for herself and her son, she connected with Youth Job Center to gain the guidance, training, and support needed to turn her goals into reality. Through hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to learning, Aileen transformed her ambition into a successful healthcare career.

Aileen began with workforce readiness training, where she developed essential job-search skills, including resume writing, interviewing, networking, and professional communication. She then entered the healthcare career pathway program, working one-on-one with her career coach to set goals and create a clear plan for success.

Her hard work quickly paid off when she secured a Paid Work Experience (PWE) as a pharmacy technician intern at a local Walgreens. Aileen not only enjoyed the experience—she excelled in the role and earned a permanent position with Walgreens at the conclusion of her PWE. Since then, she has continued investing in her professional growth by successfully passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam. Today, Aileen proudly works as a Certified Pharmacy Technician at Walgreens, where she provides quality care to her community while continuing to build a rewarding career in healthcare.

With Aileen’s determination, resilience, and commitment to achieving her goals, we have every confidence that her future in the healthcare field will remain bright.

In Her Own Words…

Before YJC, I was a young mom feeling stuck, like I had no idea where even to start, but I knew I had to do better. I had a point to prove: to see how much more I could do for myself, my son, and our future. Having just recently received my high school diploma, three years after dropping out, I was determined to start immediately. With nothing but a Google search to advise me, I stumbled upon YJC and filled in my info, thinking I’d be receiving spam mail instead of any help because of every other site I had tried.

Within a week, I was able to join an informative session explaining the services I could receive. In shock that I could actually get this help, I had a one-on-one conversation with someone from YJC, got instant responses, and was even paired with a career advisor.

About two months in, I was an intern at a pharmacy and enrolled in a phlebotomy course. With the support of my career advisor and YJC, I received one-on-one tutoring, mentoring, assistance with school supplies, including my very own laptop, gas gift cards to help me get from school to work, and, overall, the encouragement and extra push I didn’t know I needed.

Fast forward to the present day: I am a part-time employee at the pharmacy where I interned, a certified phlebotomist, and in the process of becoming a medical assistant. I am truly so thankful for YJC and am so blessed to have been introduced to this amazing organization and opportunity, which I had no idea was even available to me.

Andrea had recently graduated from college and was trying to figure out her next steps. Although she had always been interested in the medical field, she wasn’t sure where to begin. Determined to turn her passion into a career, Andrea connected with the Youth Job Center, where she found the guidance, resources, and support she needed to confidently pursue a future in healthcare.
“I am the first in my family to graduate high school and, let alone, college, so I always had to support myself and learn how to do everything on my own,” Andrea shares. “I was very fortunate to become a part of YJC because I was no longer alone in my journey. YJC offered me the guidance and support that I needed and became essential to where I am today.”
After participating in YJC’s workforce readiness training and working with her coach to refine her resume, Andrea secured paid work experience as a pharmacy technician intern at Walgreens. YJC ensured her success by providing work clothes and transportation assistance. Andrea also enrolled in several healthcare training programs to strengthen her skill set and took advantage of free supportive resources from YJC, such as books, uniforms, shoes, and a medical scrub watch.
Right alongside her every step of the way was her coach, Destanee. “My coach is always willing to help and is very supportive of my accomplishments,” says Andrea. “I can always connect with her and ask questions about anything I am unsure of. She lets me know about new and upcoming opportunities that she knows will be beneficial and a good opportunity for me to be part of. My coach has been a great support system in my journey to becoming a health professional, and I am very grateful to her and what she has done to help me.”
Andrea has obtained her pharmacy technician license and is a Certified Patient Care Technician (PCT), and has earned certifications as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Phlebotomy, and Electrocardiography (EKG).
“Where I currently find myself is what I had hoped for when I was younger,” she says. “After graduating from college, I was unsure of many things, whether I had picked the right major or career of interest. My favorite thing about my experience so far and my future job as a PCT is that I am certain it is still the right decision. I learned that I do belong in healthcare, and I enjoy learning more about patient care every day. YJC and their help played a very important role in my sense of security and confidence that I can work in the healthcare field.”
Her plans for the future include building a long-lasting career, and as part of that journey, participating in YJC's Healthcare Mentorship Program. She has also accepted a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) position at the Lurie Children's Infusion Center. We'll be by her side every step of the way, ensuring she has the support and resources she needs to make those goals a reality.
Andrea’s parting words:
“I would advise other young people to join YJC. It is a great support system that truly focuses on helping you achieve your goals. YJC offers help in many areas and can assist with what you need. Being a part of YJC will be very rewarding and beneficial to you, just as it has been for me.”

During my registered apprenticeship at Lindemann Chimney Supply, I identified a backlog of unfulfilled invoices in NetSuite, the company's enterprise resource planning system, and helped create a process for resolving it.

In working through the backlog, I investigated why the invoices had gone unfulfilled and discovered missing search parameters in the system, which may have been the cause of the issue. That finding shifted the effort from cleanup to remediation, and the fix is an ongoing process I continue to support.

Through this work, I learned the company's intercompany sales order invoicing workflow, which follows a three-stage pattern of Approval, Fulfillment, and Billing, and the corresponding search statuses used to track transactions through the system: Pending Approval, Pending Fulfillment, Partial Fulfillment/Pending Billing, Pending Billing, and Billed. Seeing how search configuration determined which transactions were visible gave me practical insight into how system settings affect data visibility and integrity.

This project strengthened skills that carry directly into my cybersecurity training: methodical troubleshooting, root cause analysis, attention to data integrity, system configuration awareness, and clear documentation. It also demonstrated initiative, since I recognized the problem and helped build the solution rather than waiting for it to be assigned.

At 31 years old, Precious had job experience but was struggling to make a family-sustaining wage.
She had been working in security, but didn’t have her Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC), which made wage growth difficult. As a mother of four children, she found that the time commitment, training costs, and chaos of parenthood prevented her from focusing on her own career advancement. 
Then, she found One On One. 
“The security training at One On One taught me discipline, responsibility, and how to stay calm,” Precious said. She was one of 10 participants in our PERC training that took place on-site at One On One in partnership with Paramount Security Analytics in March of 2026. “Now, I have two jobs. I’m a security supervisor at Soldier Field and United Center, and I have another job as a flex officer. I’ve been a flex officer since training ended in March, and I just got a promotion. I promise my success is because of the training.”
Precious has been with Safety Service Systems, Inc., which provides security services for events in Chicago, for four years, but the addition of PERC credentials changed her life. She was promoted immediately and is now earning enough money to support her family and plan for their future. 
“As soon as I got my certificate, everything fell into my lap,” she said. “After training, I got so many job offers. It was because I took a chance on myself and took time out to educate myself. I knew I had the potential, but One On One pushed me past my potential.”
Not only is Precious earning a wage that allows her to support her children, but she is also home with her kids much more frequently. In June 2026, One On One is hosting additional security training, and Precious was one of our first clients to sign up. 
“When you have kids and school, something always comes up,” she said. “One On One gave us an extra hand and reminded us that we’re not alone. It takes a village. And One On One is my village.”

Sylestine, 39, South Chicago
Sylestine is honored to be a part of Chicago history, working at the newly opened Obama Presidential Center (OPC). 
Previously a back-of-house employee at a cafeteria within the University of Chicago, she knew that she wanted to take advantage of the job boom when the opening of the presidential library was announced on Chicago’s South Side. 
“When they first opened, I applied to the Obama Presidential Center, and they denied me,” Sylestine said. “But when One On One did open interviews, I got the job.”
Within one week of starting as a dishwasher at OPC, she was promoted to lead the dish room with a raise, reflecting her strong work ethic and dedication to the job. One On One held on-site interviews at OPC due to a previous partnership with Rome’s Joy Catering and Bon Appétit, the companies that manage the culinary processes within the newly opened campus. 
“It’s going great,” Sylestine said, one week into her time at OPC. “It’s exciting. It’s everything I could imagine. It’s very rewarding to be here and to be able to grow.”
Sylestine first heard of One On One through social media when we announced our ServSafe Food Manager Training cohort in September of 2025. Sylestine competed with over 100 applicants for 10 spots made available through funding from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Job Training and Economic Development Program. 
“My employment coach is positive and motivated,” she shared about her time with One On One. “One On One helps everyone. You are a person in a job and not just a number. It’s so loving, and it feels like family. It makes you want to work more and do more.”
A resident of Chicago’s South Side and a mother to seven children, Sylestine faced barriers throughout her life that prevented her from succeeding. Disabilities, a lack of community support, and generational poverty plagued her career growth. But this new opportunity fills her with hope and motivation. 
“My children motivate me,” she shared. “People have been telling me I wouldn’t accomplish anything my whole life, but I’m going to keep going. I didn’t have the right folks to teach me, help me, and grow. But One On One has provided me with support for my future.”

Client SH came to Vision of Restoration after experiencing a job loss and spiraling into a deep depression. She had recently spent two years caring for her grandmother, and it had affected her work and many relationships. While the passing of her grandmother was heartbreaking, she realized she needed to rebuild her life. She enjoyed caring for her grandmother and felt she was good at it, so she looked for a training class to start a career as a home health aide. SH attended Forecast Community Development Corp.'s 6-week Home Health Aide training. She received her certification in Home Health Care. FCDC assigned her a case manager who helped her find a job. She was hired by Maxim Health Care a month after getting her certification and has been working for 5 months. She loves the freedom to create her own schedule and to help people. She shared that each of her clients is a way to care for her grandmother all over again. SH has recently set a long-term goal of attending nursing school.

Human Resources at Stevens Industry knew that they had a need, so they found a way to grow their own talent.

"Having an apprenticeship has helped me in many ways. It is providing opportunities to better my education while I learn and grow within my current role as a teacher assistant at Stevens Industry and towards becoming a future teacher. I have always known I’ve wanted to work with children. When I first started at Tot Mate Central I was welcomed and told that if I was interested in becoming teacher qualified someday that they would be happy to help me. When I was ready to take this big step I was offered an apprenticeship which made me feel so ecstatic. This has made me feel seen and so appreciative. I have learned so much by having hands on experience within this job along while gaining educational insight through schooling." -Alyssa Cavazos

We are proud of you Alyssa and look forward to watching you grow and learn in your role!

Gabriel Orr is the perfect example of how powerful and necessary Bella Ease's support is. When Gabe's case came to us, he was a fresh 18-year-old, and from what I knew, he didn't have a great relationship with his family. He was homeless and sleeping in his minivan. This young man was determined to make something of himself and quickly. He went to the Salvation Army, where he stayed for 3 weeks and met new people. He met his friend there, and they decided to become roommates to help each other along the way, and it worked. They got an apartment in Indian Hills while he worked part-time at Amazon and went to school, because he hadn't yet received his high school diploma due to some health issues. Gabe is a big guy, around 6 '5 and kind of scruffy, like a lumberjack, so to anyone who doesn't know him, you would think he was at least 40 years old. He would often be early to his appointments, not only with us here at Bella Ease but apparently everywhere. He would call and talk to whoever he needed to to find out whatever info he needed. He calls between our scheduled appointments to double- and triple-check that the info he has is right. Most people would find him overbearing until they understood him. Gabe struggled with finishing school like most kids his age. But Gabe has A LOT more on his plate than the average senior.
Shortly after getting his apartment, Gabe got into a wreck in his van, his transportation to and from work, and then injured himself playing basketball, resulting in him losing his job at Amazon. It turned out to be a blessing because it freed his time up to focus on and finish school. With all these obstacles and barriers against him, he let none of it stop him. He did receive his 2026 diploma from Quincy High, and after he finished, he buckled down and applied to any job he thought was hiring. For a short period, he worked at Buffalo Wild Wings until July 2026, when he landed a high-paying position at ADM. He came to me with so much appreciation. Gabe Oor accomplished a lot in a short period of time, and he did it all with a traumatic brain injury from a motorcycle wreck. He wasn't expected to live, let alone thrive. I left that out on purpose to show that even with all the odds against you, with a little understanding, some determination, and the right support, possibilities are endless.