Exploring solutions to serve at-risk youth in connecting to paid internships in the Chicago Southland.
Background
Recognizing the challenges in reliably connecting to workforce.
The Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation (CSEDC) was awarded funding through the Northern Illinois Community Initiatives to create a pilot shuttle program to transport student interns to paid internship opportunities as well as initiate a regional discussion surrounding workforce connectivity challenges following the program’s completion.
We recognize the challenges faced by many area employers in reliably connecting to their workforce. This is particularly true of Chicago’s Southland as transit options become more sparse, gas prices are rising, and not all residents have access to a motor vehicle.
In recognition of these challenges, CSEDC in partnership with Antero Group, LLC, has initiated this effort to further assess challenges, advance discussions surrounding tailored solutions, and support the larger Chicago Southland in improving mobility and access to employment.
Southland Connect Pilot Program
Connecting students to internship placement.
Through the Illinois Youth Investment Program, the LMW Group has annually connected at risk youth to high paying internship opportunities. As a part of this year’s program, CSEDC and Antero Group were requested to support the connection of students to their internship placement.
To initiate this process, the Project Team interviewed a series of mobility providers including Uber, Via, Pace, and others. While each organization offers unique benefits and flexibility, the selected solution was offered through KevLar Express Transit.
During this program, KevLar Express Transit operated two shuttles transporting students from the Lansing, IL Public Library to the Village of University Park and South Suburban College where students were trained in various tasks based on their interests (e.g., public works, office work, etc.).
In total, 85% of students successfully completed the program and offered positive feedback related to the accessibility improvements the shuttle program offered.
Transit Options in the Larger Chicagoland Region
For many within the larger Chicagoland Region, transit services offer valuable access to necessary goods and resources.
The Project Team recognizes the value transit offers with the highest levels of service located within Chicago itself. While access has improved significantly throughout the region over the last several years, we also recognize the value microtransit services offer in bridging the last-mile gaps between existing transit routes and the front door of residents' final destinations. This is particularly true of the South Suburbs as transit options become more limited.
As future microtransit programs are explored, it is strongly recommended that area routes and transit access are reviewed to ensure programs function in conjunction with existing resources. There is also great value in inviting transit providers to participate in the route and program planning process. Such coordination can offer cost savings, unique partnership opportunities, and much more.
For ease of reference, the following resources provide an overview of the different transit routes and their schedules:
For more information on the importance of transit services and ongoing efforts to improve and expand access to transit, plrease review the following strategic plans:
The Southland Mobility Collaborative
Convening a group of stakeholders to tackle additional challenges and barriers
On a more regional scale, discussions with area employers throughout Chicago’s Southland have indicated challenges with reliably connecting residents to jobs.
As the Project Team works to further analyze gaps in transit and other barriers to mobility, it is our hope to convene a group of stakeholders including employers, service providers, and more to discuss our findings and tailor potential solutions to serve Southland residents and businesses alike.
Do you want to discuss this program or the Southland Mobility Collaborative with us in further detail?
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