On February 22 Urban Alliance Chicago hosted an open house and celebration of its 12 years providing workforce development programs for Chicago youth, supporting their journey towards economic independence and upward mobility through vital skills training, mentorship, and meaningful paid work experiences.
The event featured speakers from Bank of America, Related Management, The Obama Foundation and KPMG. UA Chicago alumni also shared their experiences and the impact Urban Alliance has had on their life post-high school.
Urban Alliance began growing Chicago’s next generation workforce, working with youth from Chicago Public Schools in 2012. Urban Alliance Chicago recently moved to a new location, strategically located in the heart of downtown Chicago.
The Urban Alliance High School Internship Program, the organization’s flagship program, is a paid nine-month program for high school seniors that includes professional development training, paid internships, and one-on-one support. Industries of focus include banking, finance, healthcare, and non-profits. Job partners include Bank of America, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, LinkedIn, KPMG, and Related Management to name a few.
Urban Alliance also offers professional development workshops to schools and nonprofit organizations focused on critical skills training to expand its reach among Chicago youth.
The program currently partners with more than 25 high schools and nearly 50 businesses in the city.