Summer 2026 Application Form

You must be between the ages of 16 and 22 by July 1, 2026 in order to participate in this program.

We're sorry, but you must be between the ages of 16 and 22 to qualify for Mikva programming.

For job opportunities you may qualify for, please visit www.illinoisworknet.com.

We're sorry, but these Mikva programming opportunities are only for young people living in Cook or Lake County Illinois.

Please go to www.illinoisworknet.com to explore other employment opportunities in your county. Best of luck!

To determine your eligibility for the program, please continue filling out the application. A Mikva staff member will reach out to you for additional information within 3 business days.

Unfortunately, you cannot apply for Mikva positions if you are a current college student.

Please visit www.onesummerchicago.org to learn about other job/internship opportunities you may be eligible for in the city of Chicago this year!

From your application responses thus far, it appears as though you are eligible for the Mikva Summer Fellows (MSF) program.

MSF is a six week program that places approximately 50 young people after their senior year to serve as Fellows in the offices of city, county, state, and federal public offices across the city of Chicago. The Fellowship is 30 hours a week for 6 weeks between June and August.

Mikva Challenge partners with the Illinois Department of Human Services Youth Investment Program (IYIP) to support this paid internship opportunity to Cook County youth. The IYIP partnership allows Mikva Challenge to pay our Fellows $17 per hour for their hard work and valuable contributions in their offices. Fellows also participate in weekly educational workshops that center on community building, goal setting, leadership development, and workplace readiness.

Please continue filling out the application to provide us additional details.

From your application responses thus far, it appears as though you are eligible for the Mikva Summer Fellows (MSF) program.

MSF is a six week program that places young people living in Lake County to serve as Fellows in the offices of city, county, state, and federal public offices across the county. The Fellowship is 30 hours a week for 6 weeks between June and August.

Mikva Challenge partners with organizations in Lake County to support this paid internship opportunity. These partnerships allow Mikva Challenge to pay our Fellows for their hard work and valuable contributions in their offices. Fellows also participate in weekly educational workshops that center on community building, goal setting, leadership development, and workplace readiness.

Please continue filling out the application to provide us additional details.

From your application responses thus far, it appears as though you are eligible for Mikva's Citywide Youth Council program (CYCs) and the Youth Organizing Academy (YOA).

Citywide Youth Councils strengthen youth participation in the formation, implementation, and evaluation of public policy in city government through the creation of issue-based youth councils. The issue area councils are: Safety and Justice Council (SJC) and CPS Student Advisory Council (SAC).

Councils serve as a mechanism for a broader base of Chicago youth to have input on key city policy decisions that significantly impact youth. CYCs consist of 20-25 young people from across the city who meet to participate in team building, leadership development, research, and the creation of policy proposals to key decision makers in city government.

CYCs meet 20 hours a week for 6 weeks during the summer - June to August - and every other week after school or on a Saturday during the school year. Youth are provided with public transportation assistance and lunch each day that they have session with their council.

Student Advisory Council (SAC)

The Student Advisory Council is made up of Chicago Public School students from more than 20 different schools who are passionate about education policy and student advocacy. The council takes a deep look into CPS district policies and works to ensure an authentic and equitable youth voice is included in policy decisions. SAC members collaborate directly with the CPS Chief Executive Officer and the Chicago Board of Education to advocate for meaningful changes that impact students' lives.

Safety & Justice Council (SJC)

The Mikva Challenge Safety & Justice Council is a diverse cohort of young people from across Cook County who are passionate about reimagining public safety and advancing justice. Through policy research, advocacy, and engagement with community stakeholders, the council explores issues such as juvenile justice, police accountability, and restorative justice practices. SJC works to ensure that youth, particularly those impacted by the justice system, have a powerful voice in shaping policies that promote safety, equity, and community well-being.

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In the Youth Organizing Academy, Chicago youth explore organizing in community, for elections, with labor unions, and on college campuses. The program includes skill based workshops, youth-led projects, and guest speakers from across Chicago. Summer commitment is 10am-3pm Monday-Friday (20 hr/week). During the school year, councils typically meet every other week for 2-3 hours - either after school or on a Saturday.

Please continue filling out the application to provide us with additional details.

From your application responses thus far, it appears as though you are eligible for Mikva's Safety and Justice Council (SJC), the only Citywide Youth Council open to Cook County residents who do not live in Chicago.

Citywide Youth Councils strengthen youth participation in the formation, implementation, and evaluation of public policy in city government through the creation of issue-based youth councils. Councils serve as a mechanism for a broader base of Chicago-area youth to have input on key city policy decisions that significantly impact youth. CYCs consist of 20-25 young people from across Cook County who meet to participate in team building, leadership development, research, and the creation of policy proposals to key decision makers in city government.

The Mikva Challenge Safety & Justice Council is a diverse cohort of young people from across Cook County who are passionate about reimagining public safety and advancing justice. Through policy research, advocacy, and engagement with community stakeholders, the council explores issues such as juvenile justice, police accountability, and restorative justice practices. SJC works to ensure that youth, particularly those impacted by the justice system, have a powerful voice in shaping policies that promote safety, equity, and community well-being.

CYCs meet 20 hours a week for 6 weeks during the summer - June to August - and every other week after school or on a Saturday during the school year. Youth are provided with public transportation assistance and lunch each day that they have session with their council.

Please continue filling out the application to provide us with additional details.

Mikva Challenge partners with the Illinois Department of Human Services Youth Investment Program (IYIP) to support this paid internship opportunity to Cook County youth. The IYIP program has certain eligibility criteria a participant must meet to be enrolled in the program.

Thank you for filling out an interest form for Mikva Summer Fellows! This program is run in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services Youth Investment Program (IYIP), and, in order to be eligible for the program, you must meet at least one of the above criteria as outlined by IDHS. You indicated that none of the criteria applied to you. Because of this, we regret to inform you that you are ineligible for Mikva Summer Fellows as outlined by the IYIP program, and we will not be able to ask you to continue in the application process. If you feel that you made an error or that any of the criteria above do apply to your or your household, please update your response above in order to be able to continue with your interest form.

Please answer the following questions thoroughly, and your response is 3-5 sentences.

Please click the submit button below. You will receive an email confirmation once you submit.

If you have any questions about the application process, you can reach out to fatimaa@mikvachallenge.org.

Please click the submit button below. You will receive an email confirmation once you submit.

If you have any questions about the application process, you can reach out to ximena@mikvachallenge.org for the CYCs and leah@mikvachallenge.org for YOA.