2,300 new jobs for the city’s poorest kids? It’s a great addition to other summer jobs initiatives that City Hall is promoting.  As the story points out, they’re the kids most likely to fall prey to a life of crime and gangbanging, so any effort to keep them off the streets and give them a taste of the pride and sense of self-worth that comes with gainful employment is a positive.  Especially with unemployment being the worst for young people since World War II, according to Jack Wuest, executive director of the Alternative Schools Network.

“It’s a really tough time economically. And it’s good to get these kids off the streets and give `em a chance to earn some money during the summer. … They bring money for themselves and their families at a time when there’s very little money out there.”

This article from the Tribune points out how Illinois’ budgetary problems are discouraging one of our most important economic resources from looking for their future here in their home state: college graduates seeking a future in education.

Young, educated workers are critical to keeping growth and progress on the march in any region. Just ask employers and analysts in other cities throughout the “Rust Belt” about what happens when opportunities disappear.  It’s certainly happened over previous decades in Illinois, in towns and cities outside Chicago, as changes have forced young people to go looking elsewhere for good jobs.   Losing smart, capable workers does lasting damage to any region’s ability to rebound or even be fundamentally competitive when times get better.

Education grads are especially important. It’s their passion and enthusiasm that helps to keep the spark alive for students.  But when thousands of education jobs are being cut because of shortfalls, damage is done to everybody’s future…damage that’s very hard to overcome.

Nobody said it’s easy to cope with the current situation from a governance standpoint.  So here’s hoping the legislature and executive branch in Springfield can act wisely in dealing with the state’s fiscal crisis.  They’ve got very hard choices to make, and the sooner we can all come to grips with the consequences, the sooner we can move forward.

Here at North Bridge, we’re pitching in to help support U.S. military personnel on duty halfway around the world.  Our staff, along with our candidates, will be sending “CARE packages” of items to the brave men and women stationed in Afghanistan.  If you would like to contribute to our packages, this link will show you the items most requested by our troops. Thank you for your support!

You can also pitch in by visiting www.uso.org and finding out how you or your business can join the effort and show your appreciation.

A big part of the culture here at North Bridge is about outreach.  We’re firm believers in doing whatever we can, whenever we can, to assist and promote the great organizations that help make Chicago a better place to live. 

So when we had the opportunity to help out with preparing and serving meals at Ronald McDonald House, we were all to happy to lend a hand!  We had a great time, and everyone got to share that special feeling of uniting with others in service to a good cause.

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The North Bridge team supports the ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. Here are some other ways we can help raise money for the victims of the earthquake: just visit this Metromix list of some upcoming Chicago-area benefits that will give us all the chance to do our part!

It’s a great opportunity for Chicagoans to demonstrate their giving spirit…we know from experience that people around here always demonstrate their concern and charity at moments exactly like this.

At North Bridge Staffing Group, we’re supporters of Ronald McDonald House in Chicagoland and all the good work it does, as we are of several area good causes.  Right now, this organization is pursuing something that’s especially close to home for Chicagoans, as they work toward building the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world in Streeterville.

The Skyline Oasis will provide housing for kids receiving treatment at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Prentice Women’s Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.  Amenities will include “14-stories of care & comfort for families of hospitalized children including 86 guest rooms, a rooftop healing deck and a kitchen filled with home-cooked meals and supportive conversation.”

Follow the link to find out more, and to see how you can help in support of this terrific program.