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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE WORK AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF KAREN TOLLENAAR DEMOREST
WHEREAS, Karen Tollenaar Demorest is stepping down as Executive Director the Youth Job Center (YJC) Evanston in May 2022, a role she has held since August 2014; and
WHEREAS, YJC's mission is to provide success for young people - in the workplace and in life. For 37 years, YJC has provided work readiness training, personalized career advising, job placement, and support to over 2,000 young adults (ages 14-25) per year across Evanston, Chicago, and Cook County. YJC is an affiliate of the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure, YJC expanded services to Chicago, launched the Career Pathways Program and Summer Corps, expanded partnerships with Chicago Public Schools, partnered with GAP, Inc. and the Southwest Organizing Project, and rebuilt a strong volunteer program with engaged partners and community members. During the pandemic, YJC expanded its virtual capabilities so that its services were available to young adults throughout the region and beyond; and
WHEREAS, in one new partnership, YJC created a program with Olive Harvey College to replicate a long-term Evanston training program in auto maintenance and repair. This was done in response to interest from young people who are eager to invest in their ongoing learning but who seek career paths that do not require college; and
WHEREAS, under her leadership, the Youth Job Center became certified as a Financial Opportunities Center in 2020 and began embedding Financial Health in all training and career advising. Staff provide internal and external training so that young people can not only find stable work, but build wealth over time; and
WHEREAS, Karen will be succeeded by Lucretzia Jamison who is currently the Dean of the Dawson Technical Institute, part of Kennedy King College, City Colleges of Chicago.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf...
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