Find Your Future Program Celebrates 10 Years, Thanks 200 Illinois Businesses for Involvement

Kaleidoscope will commemorate the 10th anniversary of Find Your Future this week, a DCFS sponsored program, which pairs college students to internships with businesses statewide. Over 200 business have provided mentorship and guidance for our interns since the inception of the program.

The closing luncheon celebrating the accomplishments of the 2014 class of interns will be held on Friday, August 8, and feature Robert Portale, President & CEO, RELO Direct. Other speakers include Bobbie Gregg, Director, DCFS as well as both current and past interns who succeeded in the program and beyond.

For the past decade, the Find Your Future program has partnered with employers throughout Illinois to bring specialized work experience to this unique group of youth. Following the vision of a former DCFS director, Find Your Future ensures that youth, who have a current or previous relationship with DCFS, are competitive among their peers in today’s job market.  Find Your Future offers each student linkage with a professional network, workshops to reinforce both job and professional skills for entering the workforce, and a full time internship with a business, one that is within the youth’s field of study. At the end of the 10-week internship, many youth are offered permanent jobs at the end of their internship or post-graduation.

“We place youth in a variety of internship settings such as in nursing, engineering, non-profit organizations and more,” said Luticia Smith, Kaleidoscope Program Manager. “It is important that each internship matches the career objectives of the student and often these internships are designed around the student’s abilities, as well his or her goals and strengths. We would not succeed without direct involvement of the business community; their professional support is key to the success of the program.”

Participating with Find Your Future offers both students and professionals an experience that starts during the internship period and extends well beyond the program. To learn how your business can become an internship provider or program sponsor, please contact the Find Your Future Program Coordinator.  Kaleidoscope extends a special thanks to all former and current business providers.