JFY teaches 18-24 year olds job readiness skills, provides job counseling resources, and encourages thoughful explorations of professional goals. For those of us who volunteer, JFY provides professionals with a low-key, easy way to give back. A lunch hour? Sure, I can give that up a time or two a month. Can't you? During that lunch hour, you might run a mock interview for a nervous client interested in a position with a bank, or you could run a small workshop on resumes. Play to your strengths, friends. The volunteering opportunities abound here.\r
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The staff is demanding, there is no question. The 15-day workshops cover the basics of interviewing by asking clients to identify strengths, weaknesses, to articulate why they should be hired over other clients. They address resume building basics, professional attire, and job search skills. The clients leave the workshops prepared to be an asset in any customer-service driven enterprise.\r
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Many of these clients have heartbreaking stories. Truly. But, watching them tackle each challenge with a strong will and the fervor to improve on their situation is rewarding. Watching someone I mentor push themselves to succeed academically and professionally is...well, there are no words, really. These young adults want to succeed and with JFY's help, and the help of its legion of volunteers, clients build the resources to do so.\r
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So, if you are an engineer, an accountant, an HR professional in the Loop and want to give back or are interested in helping disadvantaged youth transition into the work force, please do give back at JFY. You could not find a more deserving organization.\r
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