The Springfield Project

Solving Neighborhood Problems
Through Collaborations

Solving Neighborhood Problems
Through Collaboration

Summer Youth Initiative

Summer Youth Initiative
Annually, the Springfield Project (TSP) sponsors a Summer Youth Initiative (SYI) which gives local youth, from 15 to 21 years of age, an opportunity to spend their time off from school in a productive manner by gaining job skills while earning a paycheck. Since its inception in 2004, over 350 minority youth have been employed as TSP has invested in excess of $300,000 in this initiative.

TSP has established partnerships with over 40 local businesses including government agencies, private firms, and not-for-profit organizations, which serve as jobsites where youth are assigned to work.

Over a six week period (4-hr work days/ 4 days per week), youth participants are engaged in "earn while you learn" activities to expand their job skills. Some positions represent administrative support, maintenance, camp counseling, and yard/landscaping projects.

The SYI assists participants in acquiring work experience and leadership development through high value, supervised job placements. In return, participants learn skills they can carry with them as they move into higher education or directly into the workforce.

SYI Partners
Abundant Faith Christian Center Americorp Capital City Courier City of Springfield, Dept. of Community Relations City of Springfield, Police Department City of Springfield, Public Works Computer Bank of Springfield Corporation Services Company Dominican Sisters of Springfield Franciscan Sisters of Springfield Girl Scouts of Illinois Global Printing Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Habitat for Humanity H.D. Smith	Hanson Professionals Hilton Hotel Hope E. Free Church Illinois State Police K.N.R. Awards Land of Lincoln Girl Scouts Lincoln Land Community College Memorial Hospital Noah’s Ark Child Development Center Primed For Life Inc. Springfield Urban League Springfield Area Home Builders Springfield Black Chamber of Commerce	Springfield Boys and Girls Club Springfield College In Illinois Benedictine Unv. Springfield Housing Authority Springfield Mass Transit Springfield Orthopedics Center Springfield Racquet & Fitness Center St. John’s Breadline State of Illinois Total Essence Beauty Salon University of Illinois at Springfield Zimmer Smith & Associates