Magic Johnson Invests $10 Million in Chicago Youth Summer Employment Program
Former NBA legend turned business mogul, Magic Johnson and financial guru Kimbra Watler will invest $10 million over 2 years into the future of Chicago. The two have co-founded Inner City Youth Empowerment, LLC to help keep at-risk youth safe by providing them with summer employment opportunities.
Their generous donation helps to triple the size of the city’s current program One Summer Chicago Plus, and will provide 5,000 summer jobs for young people living in high crime areas. The city will also contribute $6 million during the same 2-year period.
In order to qualify for the summer jobs, students ages 16 to 19 years old must commit to 25 hours each week, have missed six to eight weeks of high school or been directly involved in the juvenile justice system, as reported by The Chicago Sun Times. In addition to fostering professional development opportunities for teens’ the program will also connect them with mentors, offer cognitive behavioral therapy and work to build social skills.