Description
The Illinois Youth Investment Program (IYIP) is a multi-faceted approach to youth employment that invests in the future of Illinois' at-risk transition-age youth (16-24). This approach to youth employment accounts for the youth's employment barriers as well as the physical, emotional, social, and mental health needs while helping them to secure and sustain long-term and/or career employment thereby ensuring a greater likelihood of success and self-sufficiency.
The Rockford Park District program is designed to target those youth who are interested in short-term Summer employment with a goal of developing workplace skills and gaining employment experience while exploring potential Career Pathways.
| Title | Illinois Youth Improvement Program (IYIP) Participant |
| Status | Seasonal - Summer |
| Work Location | Various - Multiple Positions Available within IYIP Program |
| Reports To | Illinois Youth Improvement Program (IYIP) Job Coaches & Various Managers |
| ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT VISION, MISSION AND LEADERSHIP BY VALUES | |
| Agency Vision | To be the best urban parks and recreation system in North America, as measured by national standards and the citizens we serve. |
| Agency Mission | The Rockford Park District is in business to “help people enjoy life” by providing a quality park and recreation system. |
| Vision & Planning System | The District aligns itself and all its resources to achieve its purpose, vision, mission, and priorities. This successfully drives the strategic plan, operational plans, and performance goals. |
| Policy Management & Operations System | Every team member serves as an active contributor in the development of the team’s operational plan; develops job strategies and plans that support the team’s operational goals; identifies timetables for completion; plans daily work activities in an organized manner ensuring effective utilization of time and resources in the completion of job tasks. |
| Leadership by Values System | Leadership by Values can only be achieved if all team members believe in and live by these shared values: accountability, integrity, passion, agility, relationship oriented, results driven, service oriented, respectful, and innovative. While all team members share these essential values, our culture is enriched by and welcomes the diverse supporting values of its team members. |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement | The Rockford Park District is committed and accountable to being a place where everyone is invited and belongs, as demonstrated by being an inviting, equitable, and inclusive environment, respectful of all people, embracing diversity, creating accessibility and valuing all team members, partners and community members for their unique experiences and backgrounds. |
| RELATIONSHIPS TO RESULTS CULTURE | |
| Definition | Sustained by long-term, positive, exceptional relationships with stakeholders and team members as our hallmark of success. |
| ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL COMMITMENT | |
| Definition | To work together to achieve the mission, vision, and shared values of the Rockford Park District. |
| Connectedness | Departments are truly interconnected to support the mission and vision of the Rockford Park District. |
Requirements
Eligible Youth Participants: Provider programs will serve eligible youth participants as defined below. Low income and/or at-risk in-school and out-of-school youth ages 16-24 who can document Illinois residency and are able to provide an I9 prior to employment. Examples of risk factors that will deem a youth qualified for the program include:
- Youth residing in a household receiving TANF funds
- Youth residing in a household receiving SNAP funds
- Youth is eligible for Free/Reduced lunch
- Youth living in a single-parent household
- Youth experiencing academic difficulties
- Youth is in danger of or has been previously held back to repeat one or more academic years
- Youth experiencing truancy concerns
- Youth is reported to have behavior issues
- Youth is reported to be a victim of bullying
- Youth is reported to be a perpetrator of bullying
- Youth is unsupervised after school
- Youth has an IEP (Individual Education Plan)
- Youth has witnessed or been a victim of family violence
- Youth identifies as LGBTQ
- Youth has current or prior school expulsions or suspensions
- Youth with siblings who dropped out of school
- Youth with siblings who are teen parents
- Youth has current or prior justice system involvement
- Youth with siblings who are involved in the juvenile justice system
- Youth with one or both parents who are incarcerated
- Youth with siblings who are gang involved
- Youth is reported to be gang - involved
- Youth has current or prior DCFS system involvement
- Youth is experiencing homelessness
- Youth is pregnant
- Youth is parenting
- Youth has a disability
- Youth with no work experience
- Youth with a history of employment failure