Summer Job Leads CHA Student to a New Career

When Lloyd Matheny was six days old, he was introduced to his foster mom, who later adopted him after caring for him for a year. He grew up in an attentive, loving family on Chicago’s South Side – overcoming a congenital foot ailment. Today, he is a junior at National Louis University studying social work, with an innate passion for poetry and helping others.

“Once I started interacting with kids, I could see the gift I had,” he said. “I was able to easily interact, be engaged and be helpful and kind. At that time, I wanted to be LeBron James or Michael Jordan. Then I realized I get more enjoyment in helping people than by a coach telling me to run 50 laps. I fell in love with it.”

One of the programs that inspired Lloyd was Counselor in Training (CIT), a collaboration between the Chicago Housing Authority and the Chicago Park District that provides 40 teens a summer opportunity as a counselor. Youth gain life skills and the opportunity to grow, learn and gain skills in leadership and financial capability while also earning money.

CIT is one of several paid summer opportunities residents ages 13-24 that CHA offers every summer, providing early exposure to career and education pathways and opportunities that stem potential summer learning loss.

Now 20 years old, Lloyd is sure what he wants to do with the rest of his life - he is targeting a career in social work at a major school district. And, he is still working at the Park District, now as a recreational leader at Maggie Daley Park.

Learn more about CHA's CIT program on CBS-2 News Chicago here.