Art & Ambition is our inaugural fundraiser, designed to harness the power of art to inspire and support hundreds of young people eager to launch careers in their dream fields. Join us for a memorable evening featuring a live auction of curated works from: Clue, Ramiro Huizar, Diske Uno, Fedz, Alyssa Low, Liz Flores, Karina Chavez, and Sentrock.

We will also have music, raffle prizes, and networking opportunities. This event is exclusively for audiences aged 21 and older (IDs checked at entry).

The evening includes:

• VIP Reception at 6-7 PM (invitation or VIP ticket required for entry)
  
• Main Event at 7-10 PM
  

Our Goal:  

Help us reach our $50,000 goal to support TA98’s mission to reduce youth unemployment rates among 16-24-year-olds by providing meaningful career opportunities. With your support, we can expand our programs to empower young adults to secure careers in their chosen fields and achieve positive economic and social mobility.

The Need for our Work:

In 2016, the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois at Chicago identified joblessness as a critical driver of violence in Chicago’s disinvested neighborhoods. The report found that 5 of the city’s 77 community areas accounted for a third of all homicides. In these communities, youth unemployment rates range from 79-92% for teens and 49-70% for young adults. 

Unemployment rates among Chicago teens remain consistently higher than the national average, with 80% unemployed in 2021 compared to 67% nationally (Great Cities Institute, 2023). The lack of quality work opportunities has led many young people to seek alternatives to make ends meet. The root causes are systemic: decades of disinvestment, underfunded education, and limited access to workforce development. To counter this, youth employment is key in reducing violent crime.