The Jobs For Youth Junior Board is a group of dynamic and dedicated Pre- Employment Workshop volunteers and GED Tutors who wish to become more involved with JFY. The goal of the Junior Board is to support and enhance the activities of the Jobs For Youth program. The mission of the Junior Board is to create awareness and generate funding for the Jobs For Youth program by reaching out to young professionals through social, fundraising and outreach activities. Members serve on various committees related to JFY's outreach efforts, which include but are not limited to:

• Organizing and hosting events to raise funds for Jobs For Youth
• Supporting and sustaining on a financial and operational basis, “The Breakfast Club”, a free breakfast program for JFY’s GED and Pre-Employment Workshop students.
• Identifying and pursuing corporate, foundation, and individual fundraising contacts and opportunities that will enhance and sustain Jobs For Youth programs.

The Junior Board’s main project this past year has been to raise seed money for a program called “The Breakfast Club”. This program was conceived by some of our GED students who felt that a good breakfast would help to increase attendance, class participation, and information retention among GED and Pre- Employment Workshop students. The Junior Board became advocates of The Breakfast Club when they learned that the purchase of CTA fare and a good meal is often a daily challenge for JFY clients.

Recent Breakfast Club fundraisers have included the “Drinks For Breakfast” parties at Kincade’s and Bar Louie, as well as a Holiday Shopping Event at Brooks Brothers. Junior Board members organized and publicized these events, and also secured raffle prizes such as dinners and spa services. Junior Board members also pursued and received grants within their own companies, as well as contributions from family, friends, and colleagues. As of July 2005, over $10,000 has been raised to get the program going, along with $6,000 to be directed to the purchase of CTA fare cards for JFY Pre-Employment Workshop and GED students. The goal of the Junior Board is to have the Breakfast Club up and running by January 1, 2006.

The Junior Board currently has ten members from diverse backgrounds and professions who are committed to helping JFY achieve new levels of program excellence, and to increasing community awareness of JFY. Junior Board members must serve as a workshop or GED volunteer for six months prior to board membership. Program committee members are not required to serve as JFY volunteers.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Junior Board, or if you would like to serve as a program committee member, please contact Maya Ashwal, JFY Volunteer Coordinator, at mashwal@jfychicago.org, or at 312.499.4778 ext 148. This is a wonderful opportunity to take on a leadership role in the community and make an impact on Chicago’s young adults. The Jobs For Youth Junior Board provides a great networking resource, as well as a rewarding social experience.

2007 - 2008 Junior Board

Co-Chair
Mike Kolody
First Capitol Mortgage

Co-Chair
Melanie Neely
City of Chicago Dept. of Law

Stephanie Beck
CB Richard Ellis

Jason Lobel
Duff and Phelps Securities

Iyad Mourtada
National Futures Association

Kevin O’Reilly
Jupiter Realty

Gretchen Haverback
LaSalle Bank/Bank of America

PJ McGuire
Etiquette Consultant

Randi Michaelson
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network