Kristy, 61420-5073

My name is Kristy and I am a 23 year old single mother. I have a two year old son that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I was looking for work when my sister mentioned to me an ad she had got in the mail from the workforce. It referred to the Y.E.S. program (Youth Employment for the Summer.) I fell under all of the guidelines for the program, but with it being August I feared it was too late. I called the number anyways and I spoke with a woman named Janice, who was very helpful. She told me that it was not too late and that she would do what she could to help. I met with Janice a few days later and she explained to me how the program worked. She would find a place for me to work and I would work for that employer through the Workforce. She said there was always potential to get hired by the employer if, in my own words, you possess a positive attitude, time management, and a willingness and ambition to learn. I started work right away. At my job I learned skills that I did not have before, I was very happy to have a job and the opportunity that Janice and the Workforce had provided me with. After working through the Workforce for about two months the Y.E.S. program was coming to an end. Summer was over and I was wondering what I would do for employment with the new skills I possessed. Lucky for me I had proven myself to the employer I was working with and they informed me that I would be hired. I was very grateful to have an opportunity at such a wonderful place to work. Had I not been there through the Workforce it would have been very hard for me to prove that I was a good worker and I may have never had the opportunity. Since then my son and I have gotten an apartment. We are turning things around. I have a plan with my employer to continue work until a new semester begins at the college I will be attending and then I am going to go back to school for a degree that I can use here at my place of employment. I am ecstatic to have a plan and hope for our future, as it was not long ago when optimism seemed so far away. I am very grateful to the Workforce for the opportunity I have been given. This is a great opportunity for anyone under the guidelines looking for work. My experience with the Workforce was a great one and I would recommend it to anyone! Thank you, Kristy Petermann!

I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Barbara, 62024-1046
While being in the Y.E.S. program, I have had the opportunity to better myself in a couple of areas. I can be a shy person, so communicating with people, on the phone or in person, can be challenging for me at times. Working at the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau has helped me a lot in that area. Part of my job is to help visitors, if needed and also answer phone calls. Doing that has helped me build confidence in myself and now I am not as nervous as I used to be. Another part of my job at the Alton CVB is data entry in such programs as Excel. In high school, I used Excel scarcely, however; working at the Alton CVB has helped me gain more experience using this program along with others. Being in the Y.E.S. program has helped me in certain fields and I am very fortunate to have had this opportunity. I plan on taking the skills I have learned with me and using them during my future employment.

I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Barbara, 62024-1046
The Alton Regional CVB is thankful for the Y.E.S. program. Our intern, Audrey, has helped us organize the office more efficiently by assisting the employees in a variety of different tasks. This has allowed the staff to concentrate on other projects without interruptions, which has been extremely helpful. We are grateful for all the assistance she has provided.


I employed youth for the summer

Ashley, 61455-2549
I really like helping other people, so my job at Wesley Village Healthcare was awesome. I got a chance to visit one on one with the residents. I also got a chance to meet the new residents that were there. I helped them with little things, like getting them Kleenexes and reaching something that they couldn't get. I also took them outside for walks, and got the chance to eat lunch with them; I also played activities with them. I really enjoyed setting up fun little parties for the residents there. I really enjoyed my time at Wesley Village, it was an experience I would love to have again. Thanks Y.E.S program!!


I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Dustin, 62321-1017
My job as a team leader at Argyle Lake State Park let me build on the park maintenance skills I learned there last summer as a team member. I was also able to improve my leadership skills and learn to communicate better with the other team members. I learned to be a better problem solver and plan projects. The Y.E.S program was a very positive and building experience for me.


I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Kelsey, 62311-9613
Over this summer I have successfully completed the Summer Y.E.S Program.  I worked at the Hancock County Shelter Care Home.  While I was doing this I realized I had a passion for helping people, and when school started I was able to take a CNA class while attending high school and still working.  I now have my future planned and I'm doing something with my life.  Thank you Illinois Work Force.

I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Shelesse, 61455-1780
As an employee of the Youth Employment for Summer (YES) program, I worked at the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA).  I was able to have a big part in implementing a research project about the quality of life for rural Illinois residents.  From the job, I was able to gain experience in survey development, programming, distribution and processing.  I learned many essential skill sets that will be rewarding and helpful in future jobs and career settings.  Overall, this experience was a success and was very helpful for me to acquire the skills I will need when pursuing future jobs.

I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Melissa, 61401-6653
I found it very hard trying to find employment in Galesburg, Illinois. So, I decided to go to the local Work Force Investment Program to see if I could have help finding a job. The office called me and said that they had a referral for the Hy-Vee on Henderson. I was thrilled. Working at Hy-Vee was a great experience. The employees were excellent at helping me and letting me know what I needed to know when it came to learning the job. Once it got close to the end of the Y.E.S program I became nervous because I knew my time at Hy-Vee was almost over. Then, one of the managers approached me and told me that I had orientation within the next couple of days. I was so excited to learn that I was being hired on as a permanent worker. So, for anyone who is having trouble finding work, go to your Local Workforce Investment office and they can help!


I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Nicklaus, 61401-5227
Before this program I did not have a job and did not have any working experience. My dad's Social Security check was the only source of income for him, my brother and me. This program has given us a little extra income to get us off of our feet by paying a few overdue bills and has given me a chance to look for more work. Because of this program, I have now decided that I would like to start a career in the U.S. Air Force. Thank you YES!


I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Vivian, 60014-7224
I had the opportunity to experience work at Alden Terrace, a nursing home, after job searching for a year. One of the problems I had with attaining a job was my lack of experience.  I’m glad to have gained a variety of skills through the Y.E.S program.

While working at Alden Terrace in McHenry, I met a lot of great people.  Some taught me the lesson of life while others taught me skills to better take care of the elderly.  I learned to work with dementia patients and how to redirect their attention elsewhere. I was responsible for providing activities, events, outings, games and exercises for 47 dementia residents. It was my duty to keep the residents busy so they would be less likely to fall or hurt themselves. I also assisted the CNAs with showering residents, making beds, transfers, and assisting residents to use the bathroom. I have a lot of stories about my time. There wasn’t a day were something out of the ordinary happened. I hope to stay with the company as a CNA.

Thank you Y.E.S program for this wonderful opportunity.



I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Danielle, 61455-1367
The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) is located on the campus of Western Illinois University. Our mission is to “build the capacity of community leaders and policymakers by providing technical support, applied research, policy evaluation, and training across the state. The IIRA is a clearinghouse for information on rural issues, coordinates rural research, and works with state agencies on issues of importance to rural communities”.

The Youth Employment for Summer (YES) Program has played a major role in implementing a research project about the quality of life for rural Illinois residents. As a result of the YES Program, the IIRA will be able to report the needs of our rural Illinois residents in the tight deadline established.

I employed youth for the summer

Michael, 60623-4218
Any opportunity to work with youth in your own community allows you to further understand the community itself. In my experience this past summer I had the opportunity to work with youth on the opposite side of my neighborhood.

The program I was working for used basketball (or sports in general) to try and erase border lines in my neighborhood. When I told the youth my history and how basketball had changed my life, they became more interested in what I had to say. I found a personal connection with the participants and it somehow felt as if they accepted me because of that. 

I can say that I enjoyed my time at the middle school as a basketball instructor and enjoyed all the work in the community.  I look forward to more opportunities working with the youth in my neighborhood and hopefully, reaching out to the people in order to make a difference. 

I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

sara, 62040-5418
I had a great time participating in the Y.E.S program. I was placed in a hospital, and it was a great experience. It gave me the possibility for job opportunities in my future. I have told many people about my positive experience, and about the program in general. Madison County did a great job of checking up on us as well. This was a very productive two months, and I hope I get the chance to experience it again!


I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Krystal, 60033-3140
My name is Krystal Sanchez and I am a single mother of 1 in Harvard, IL. I saw an ad in the window of the McHenry County Workforce Network about single parents seeking employment, so I called the number. A lady who worked for the Workforce Network quickly found me a job at a warehouse in Richmond IL. She called me later that week to check in and see how it was going. Due to my religious beliefs I didn't feel that would be the place for me. She was very understanding and that same week she found me another job with a bookstore, Read Between the Lynes. The owner Arlene Lynes and other employees were very kind, helpful and friendly. I learned small things like faxing, taking inventory and filing. Overall, it was a great experience!

I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

jasmine, 62025-1507
Thank you for allowing me to participate in the Summer Youth Employment Program. This program really helped me out, financially and personally. I was able to purchase my own car thanks to the program, it felt really good knowing that I worked hard and paid for it myself. Being in this program allowed me to learn new skills and meet new people. I know I will be able to use these skills in my future employment opportunities. The people in this program are very helpful, caring, and understanding. I think this is a great opportunity and it gives people the chance to work and do things on their own. I really appreciate all this program did for me, Thanks!!


I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Shalecia, 62060-1307
I would like to thank everyone in the Y.E.S Program that helped me find employment. I learned how to use different office machines such as a computer, copy machine and fax machine. The Y.E.S Program was not just useful to me, but also my family. My mother is single, raising four children. I am 17 and the oldest. With this job I was able to help my mother. I supplied household items, bought food and paid our cell phone bill. I am very grateful to have been employed this summer with the Y.E.S Program.

I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Tiffany, 60466-1234
The Y.E.S. program helped our organization in many ways. First off it gave the youth that we worked with on a day to day basis employment, money in their pockets and something to do with themselves rather than being in the street and not doing anything constructive with their lives. The program also gave a chance for the organization to receive help from different organizations and help clean up Ford Heights on a daily basis, work with children and to work in an office environment as well as learning new skills. Our organization is currently working with the youth that we employed in a job search program to help them learn the skills that are needed to go out into the work world of today.  We are also teaching them how to dress, how to create resumes and cover letters, etc. Our organization is trying to show the youth there is always a chance to do more and not just to stop here, but to continue looking for and maintaining employment with marketable wages.

I employed youth for the summer

Courtney, 62040-4812
Y.E.S program gave me the opportunity to learn more about the workforce. I had been searching long for a job and if it wasn't for this program I would probably still be jobless with no experience. They have also given me the opportunity to further my knowledge in the Medical Center and prepare for when I go to college to major in Medical Billing and Coding.  I have also been able to remain stable with the money I have earned working through the Y.E.S program. I appreciate what the Y.E.S program has done for me and I look forward to doing the program next year.

I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Jasmine, 62060-1425
I really enjoyed my time with the Summer Youth Employment Program. They taught me different skills as far as job training, I also learned to be disciplined and further knowledge of the workforce. The money also helped me to provide for myself and my child in our time of need. I would love it if this program was brought to our city again because it was a wonderful experience. Thanks!!


I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Donnesha, 62060-1223
I worked in the medical records department dealing with medical charts and a host of other things. They made my experience a wonderful one. I wish the program wouldn't have ended because there was so much more to learn. It was a real good program for students to learn what they wanted to do with life. I like the fact that they took the time out teach us the jobs. I love the people I worked with. I am definitely thinking about applying at the Gateway Regional Hospital because of my great experience there. The Y.E.S program was a great experience.


I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Renee, 62906-2032
The Y.E.S Program was a great benefit to me.  My plans to go to the military were put off because of an injury.  The Y.E.S Program gave me an opportunity to  earn a decent income and learn valuable work skills that would enable me to be an asset to any organization. I know this because I have been asked to stay on as a permanent employee.

Thank you!

I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Jacoby, 60605-2267
This is actually my second summer working for the Summer Youth Employment Program. In both of these years I have learned more about myself and others more than ever. This job has given me a chance to interact with youth and really understand them more as a whole. It has improved my patience greatly and given me a chance to make a difference. I was glad I could make a difference even if it was only a little.

I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

Troy, 62311-1248
The Village of Augusta greatly appreciated the assistance provided by our summer worker.  It allowed our regular employees to work on sewer and road projects, while the summer employee took care of lawn maintenance, organized city buildings, and washed and waxed Village vehicles and equipment. We had numerous compliments by village residents on the work that was getting completed, being that we had an extra hand to get things done. We hope that the

Summer Y.E.S Program can keep their funding to help small towns like ours and the people in our community in a time of financial need. We believe this program could definitely help our community in the future.

I employed youth for the summer

chantel, 62090-1145
I am a single mother of two and at the time I was not working. I really needed the money for my children and also to help pay some of the bills. Someone told me about the Y.E.S. Program, so I called the number they gave me and the program was able to put me on a list. I received a call three days later to come and fill out some paper work for a job. 

I have been working since July and have had fun meeting a lot of nice people. I have done what I wanted to do for my little girls and am so grateful for this program.

I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program

kyle, 61722-7533
This experience has been a very good one for me.  It has helped me realize the importance of having a job and working hard to keep it.  I would gladly do this program again if it was available in the future.

I participated with a Summer Youth Employment Program