$5 Million Grant Awarded to ITAV to Expand Youth Job Opportunities

It Takes A Village Family of Schools (ITAV) has been awarded a $5 million grant through the Illinois Youth Investment Program (IYIP) from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

This investment will empower youth ages 16–24 across Cook County, particularly in West and South Side communities facing high unemployment, poverty, and systemic disinvestment. Our mission through this grant is to provide meaningful employment opportunities, career development experiences, and clear pathways to long-term success.

Over the next year, ITAV will serve 500 youth through a combination of short-term and long-term programs:

• Short-Term Summer Pre-Apprenticeships: 150 youth
• Fall & Winter Pre-Apprenticeships: 100 youth
• Year-Round Apprenticeships, Internships, and Employment Opportunities: 250 youth

Our programming is designed to offer vulnerable youth not just jobs, but life-changing experiences through foundational skills workshops, credentialing programs in high-demand sectors like IT, early childhood education, and solar energy, and comprehensive case management support.

Through key partnerships with Urban Tech Academy, Genesis Music & Arts, and Sensenergi, we’re creating a vibrant ecosystem of opportunities. Youth will also benefit from wrap-around services like transportation assistance, childcare, trauma counseling, and mental health support.

We are excited to move forward with a collaborative, cross-departmental effort, integrating this work seamlessly into our existing structure. Our success will depend on working as one organization, with every department contributing to the achievement of our youth and communities.

Stay tuned as we roll out this exciting career-focused initiative for ITAV and for the future leaders of Cook County!