Chicago

Spark Chicago marks Spark’s first programs outside of California! In our Fall 2011 pilot, 65 Chicago students explored their dream jobs at a variety of exciting workplaces, including CareerBuilder.com, the Chicago Tribune, and the Joffrey Ballet. Spark Chicago plans to serve over 200 students in 2012!

Please visit the Get Involved section of our website to learn how you can help build a strong Spark community in Chicago!

Learn more about Spark Chicago

Contact Spark Chicago

223 W. Jackson, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60606
Sarah Mayeda, Chicago Managing Director
312-470-4300
smayeda@sparkprogram.org

Spark’s mission is to provide life-changing apprenticeships to youth in underserved communities across the United States. 30% of students in the United States drop out of high school, with the dropout rate exceeding 50% in the highest-need neighborhoods. Spark addresses the dropout crisis by connecting volunteer professionals with underserved youth in workplace apprenticeships to “spark” their potential. Students identify a “dream job,” and Spark matches that student with a mentor doing that job. As students explore the school-to-career connection, they build skills critical for academic success, gain a strong appreciation for the relevance of their education, and become motivated to work hard to achieve their dreams. Spark is a national nonprofit that provides life-changing apprenticeships to middle school students from disadvantaged communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Chicago, and soon on the east coast.

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