Whether you are preparing to be an accountant or a professional football player, businesses today demand organizational skills from their new employees. Knowing this is a skill not often taught in school, Staples associates from the new store at 2484 North Elston Avenue, along with Chicago Bear standout wide receiver Bobby Wade will distribute "Business Beginnings" kits to recent graduates of the Jobs For Youth program. This Staples store adopted the Jobs For Youth program as their charity of choice when they opened their doors in March, providing a $15,000 grant through Staples Foundation for Learning.

"Each of our stores in the Chicagoland area have adopted a local charity of their choice and continue to support their important work," said Lucy Lazor, Staples general manager. "Aside from the monetary grant provided to Jobs For Youth, our store associates have donated their time to ensure the program delivers real life solutions for Chicago youth."

Jobs For Youth is a program that assists young men and women from low-income families become a part of the economic mainstream; and, in the process, provide the business community with motivated, job-ready workers. The core program includes pre-employment training, job placement, GED instruction and supportive services.

"In 2002, more than five million youth nationwide, between the ages of 16-and-24 years old, were reportedly out-of-school and jobless - with more than 100,000 in Chicago alone," said Kristen Gudenrath, Jobs For Youth public affairs director. "As the job market rebounds it is important to continue to offer work readiness/life skills training, GED classes, career counseling and job placement services to help those that may not have access to these resources on their own."

Last year, Jobs For Youth provided services to more than 2,200 youth and made 1,011 job placements, working with over 400 employers across Chicagoland. Thirty-eight percent of all positions were placements in offices and the business services industry.

"We are acutely aware that our future success in Chicago is directly linked to the well being of the communities we serve," added Lazor. "So we haven't simply opened stores in Chicago, we have created meaningful relationships."

About Staples
Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today is the world's largest office products company. With 65,000 talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2004 sales of $14.4 billion, Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 21 countries throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates approximately 1,680 office superstores and also serves its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com.

About Jobs For Youth/Chicago, Inc.
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 pre-employment training, GED preparation and job placement services to youth that are between the ages of 17 and 24. Ninety-six percent of their clients are African American and Latino. Established in 1979, JFY has helped over 23,000 deserving youth enter the workforce. More information is available at www.jfychicago.org.