Our Programs

Our programs empower young adults (16-24) through career readiness, mentorship, creative development, and community engagement. Participants gain essential skills, access to professional networks, and hands-on experience to build confidence and drive positive change. From tailored career support and creative industry opportunities to event planning and leadership development, our initiatives foster personal and professional growth, enabling participants to create meaningful impact and advance social and economic mobility.

Suited for a Cause

Empowering young adults (16-24) with essential 21st-century skills through career readiness training, mentorship, and access to good jobs. This program includes monthly workshops to build confidence and prepare participants for professional success.

Program Highlights:

• Professional Clothing: Dress for success with tailored attire.

• Resume Support: Craft a standout resume with one-on-one guidance.

• Career Coaches + Mentors: Learn from industry experts and mentors.

• Employer Access: Connect with hiring professionals and explore opportunities.

Moments Media Project

Empowering emerging content creators (18-24) with personalized coaching and mentorship from creative industry professionals. This workshop-based program offers skill-based opportunities, portfolio development, and exclusive collaboration opportunities with top brands across Chicago.

Program Highlights:

• Learn Skills + Build Confidence: Strengthen your portfolio, ace interviews, and master project negotiations.

• New Experiences: Receive individualized 1:1 coaching and ongoing mentorship.

• Network: Connect with peers, industry professionals, and brand partners.

• Career Support: Gain access to internships, job placements, and volunteer opportunities.

Kickback - Safe Spaces

A year-round employment program empowering youth (16-24) from Little Village (60623) to create positive change in their community. Through event planning, teamwork, and community engagement, participants gain hands-on experience while bringing art, sports, entertainment, and resources to the vibrant Little Village neighborhood.

Program Highlights:

• Event Planning: Organize and execute impactful community events.

• Community Engagement: Promote participation, gather feedback, and distribute resources.

• Skill Development: Gain experience in teamwork, organizing, and leadership.

• Flexible Hours: Work up to 20 hours per week with competitive pay.

OUR PRACTICE

Our framework focuses on personal and professional development, fostering growth through tailored mentorship and guidance. We are dedicated to incubating innovative ideas and projects and empowering individuals to realize their visions. By nurturing entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, we drive efforts to create social and economic mobility, building a supportive ecosystem that inspires transformation and amplifies meaningful impact.

Grounded in Research

At TA98, we believe that impactful programs are built on a foundation of research, community insights, and measurable outcomes. Our initiatives are designed to empower young adults, amplify creativity, and foster meaningful community engagement. Guided by data and informed by lived experiences, our programs create sustainable opportunities that drive economic and social mobility.

The State of Global Workplace

Decline in Global Employee Wellbeing

In 2023, global employee wellbeing dropped from 35% to 34%, with younger workers under 35 experiencing the sharpest decline. The World Happiness Report highlights a broader happiness gap, with baby boomers rating their lives higher than millennials and Gen Z. Leaders, often older, should recognize these generational differences in life perspectives, as they reflect more than just life stage and impact workplace dynamics.

Alliance for Network
Visual Culture

First Generation College
Students: Navigating Higher Education

A resource for First-Generation College Students (FGCSs) to navigate the challenges of accessing and excelling in higher education. It covers FGCS demographics, barriers to success, and interventions to support their journey toward earning a degree.

Whose culture has capital?

Article By Tara J. Yosso

Community cultural wealth highlights the rich knowledge, skills, and strengths of Communities of Color, emphasizing their aspirational, social, and cultural assets to promote equity and justice in education and society.

The Rockerfeller Foundation

U.S Youth Unemployment

Youth unemployment in the U.S. has reached alarming levels, with over 13% of 16-24-year-olds unemployed and millions more underemployed or disconnected from education and work. This ongoing issue threatens individual futures and the nation's social and economic stability.

Harvard Business Review

How Investing in DEI Helps Companies Become More Adaptable

When companies effectively implement DEI policies, they enhance their ability to adapt to change, leading to better financial performance, stronger culture and leadership, and more engaged employees. This article explores three key ways DEI efforts boost a company’s "change power" and emphasizes why executives should prioritize these connections.

From Punk Love to Compa Love: A Pedagogical Paradigm to Intervene on Trauma

Article by Sharim Hannegan-Martinez

Emerging research shows a rise in youth trauma, particularly in urban schools, where teachers must be equipped to address students' stressors. Grounded in public health, psychotherapy, and education, the Compa Love framework emphasizes love as a healing intervention, fostering resilience through supportive, culturally sustaining practices.

Great Cities Institute Releases New Youth Jobless Report

Chicago’s Youth Joblessness Rates Outpace Illinois

Chicago's joblessness rates are significantly higher than state and national averages, with disparities across racial and ethnic groups. Black 20-24-year-olds saw a notable improvement, with joblessness dropping from 57.4% in 2021 to 40.4% in 2022. However, Black 16-19-year-olds faced a sharp increase in joblessness, doubling from 9.4% to 17.5%. In Cook County, out-of-school and jobless rates for 20-24-year-olds varied significantly, peaking at 48.3% in areas like Austin and North Lawndale. Despite some progress, significant racial and regional inequalities persist.

NC State University

Can Parks Help Cities Fight Crime?

Scholars suggest that parks and urban green spaces can help prevent violence. Transforming vacant lots and deteriorating areas into attractive, functional spaces often reduces crime and violence in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Building a Beloved Community:

Boy with a Gift by Aunty Puanani Burgess

As a storyteller, cultural translator, poet, and facilitator, Aunty Pua shares her experience in community-building and conflict transformation through “Building the Beloved Community.” Her work centers on collective growth and connection, emphasizing that it’s about "WE," not "me."

OUR Community of SUPPORTERS