FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Kristin Gudenrath, Public Affairs Director
(312) 499-4778
kristin@jfychicago.org
Headshot and interviews available
Jobs For Youth/Chicago Announces First
African American Executive Director
Chicago, IL (January 2003) Established in 1979 as the city's
leading non-profit organization devoted exclusively to helping
inner-city youth find employment, Jobs For Youth/Chicago,
Inc., is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Robert
W. Barnett as Executive Director.
 "We're
thrilled to have found a new Executive Director with such
a strong dedication to the community. Robert's career demonstrates
a passion for young people and a real talent for working collaboratively,"
said Darlene Chaleff, JYF's Board President. "His leadership
will be a great asset in strengthening JFY's commitment to
building partnerships with other non-profits and businesses."
Barnett brings more than 20 years of career planning, program
development and education/ administration experience to the
organization. Barnett joined JFY in 1991 as an Adult Education/GED
Coordinator and later became Director of Training. He most
recently served as the organization's Deputy Director. Prior
to JFY, Barnett was a Career Planning Consultant and Counselor
for Milwaukee Area Technical College. His experience also
includes management consulting, teaching, and college recruitment.
"It's an exciting time for the organization and Chicago,"
said Robert Barnett. "Our city's young people have been
hit hard by the economic downturn. We must work closely with
area businesses, particularly ones located in the African
American community to find employment opportunities."
A native of Milwaukee, Barnett earned his MA in Administrative
Leadership and Adult Learning at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Jobs For Youth/ Chicago, Inc. (JFY) helps young men and women
from low-income families become a part of the economic mainstream;
and, in the process, provides the business community with
motivated job- ready workers. JFY offers training, GED preparation
and job placement services to youth that are between the ages
of 17 and 24. Eighty-five percent of Jobs for Youth clients
are African American, 11 percent are Latino.
Established in 1979, JFY has helped over 21,000 deserving
youth enter the workforce. In the last year, more than 1000
positions have been filled with over 400 Chicago-area employers.
The average starting wage is $8.00 per hour. For more information
call (312) 499-4778 or visit www.jfychicago.org.
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