To many young people, a first job means so much more than a paycheck. It means self-esteem and confidence. It means possibility and future. With a job, young people have role models, the potential for a lifelong mentor and a career path. It means the satisfaction of learning, growing and being productive.

Unfortunately, many youth are caught in a cycle of poverty and crime, who, because of their criminal activity, struggle to find and keep a job and their way out. SGA Youth & Family Services aims to replace the cycle of poverty through its Cycle of Opportunity® and free, comprehensive services.

Matthew*, a young man enrolled in one of our workforce development programs, has an amazing success story. He was referred to SGA by our partners at the Illinois Department of Corrections. Matthew knew that his life needed to change. His main goal was to show his family, especially his young daughter, that he could succeed.

Motivated by his strong desire to thrive and his SGA mentor, Matthew not only showed up to the GED and employment education classes he was enrolled in, he arrived early each and every day. Matthew’s drive to succeed and his accomplishments proved fruitful when he was offered a paid internship with a botanical garden organization, where he leads a crew of young people who manage a greenhouse. With a vested interest in urban farming, Matthew plans on taking what he has learned and advancing his education and career in horticulture.

Matthew is just one of thousands of young people who have been positively impacted by our workforce development programming.

*Name changed to protect privacy