$5M PepsiCo program to create job pathways for 3K young people on South, West Sides

Born and raised in Englewood, 21-year-old Joshua Barker has seen the streets snare young people who graduate high school without skills, resources or job options.

After graduating from Urban Prep Academy in 2018, Barker was fortunate to be hired by the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) — one of six organizations PepsiCo has joined with in an effort to create career pathways for 3,000 young people on the South and West Sides over the next five years.

“I was blessed to get this job. It keeps me busy. This new program is really important because a job keeps you motivated. Helping them work and put money in their pockets will keep a kid out of the street,” said Barker, a public health ambassador with SWOP.

In the Fortune 100 company’s shift to an equity-centered model of community engagement, the $5 million “PREP by PepsiCo | Stronger Together” initiative launching Monday is the result of months of roundtables with Chicago community organizations on how best to uplift Black and Brown youth in disinvested areas.

Read more: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/10/4/22707576/5m-pepsico-program-create-job-pathways-3k-young-people-south-west-sides