Workforce Development
To empower West Side residents through comprehensive workforce development that builds skills, creates opportunities, and fosters economic self-sufficiency—transforming lives and revitalizing the Austin community.
Employment Services
- Employment services for adults 18 years and older, returning citizens, seniors and our veterans
- Case managers provide in house supportive services ( Illinois issued IDs for homeless, birth certificates etc.) and outside referrals from collaborative partners for assistance with: ( food, clothing, furniture, mental and substance abuse programs and much more)
- Assessing individual's goals, short and long-term working together on an Individual Employment Plan ( IEP)
- New Job readiness training: Assess employment work history, emails 101, zoom 101, how to show up, work etiquette, knowing what to expect, how to look for jobs, and mock interviewing etc.
- Job placement, staying on the job, missing days, being punctual, 90 days to a year before the employer trust you, financial literacy (savings, credit, emergency funds, Roth IRA)
- Encouragement towards personal development in obtaining a skill set for career- based employment, as well as furthering their education
- Overcomers Soup Kitchen for hot cooked meals by our Reentry Coordinator every Thursday at 2:30pm 5437 W Division Free Haircuts limited to 6
Requirements and Process
- Must be a Chicago Resident to receive service
- Must have a physical Illinois issued ID/ Drivers License and Physical Social Security Card ( We can assist if someone doesn’t have those documents)
- We ask that all individuals seeking employment arrive at the office at 8:45am/ 9am is the start time for orientation
- Must be able to stay for 3 hours or more to complete the orientation process
- MUST HAVE PATIENCE
- Complete all intake information and orientation paperwork
- Complete the TABE test in Reading, Math and Science
- Introduction of Case Manager and Individual Assessment Plan (IAP)
- Scheduled appointment to meet your Career/Job Coach
Community support advisory council CSAC west reentry model
Current and future employment and CSAC partners
- CTA 2nd Chance Program
- CACC Program
- Women's Employed Workforce program and Malcom X College: Phlebotomy, CNA etc
- CleanTurn- Cleaning Service Chicago partnership/ Janitorial Workforce
- St Paul Community Development Ministries (Apprenticeship Training Program) Skilled Construction Trade, Revolution Workshop, Chicago Women in Trades, and Hire 360
- Amazon, Sam’s Club, Walmart, FedEx
- JARC Welding, CNC Machine Operator Programs, and Greater West Town forklift program
- Unite Here Chicago Hospitality Institute
- Austin Chamber of Commerce (finding employer needs & connecting community business owners to job ready participants)
- A Strengthen relationship with Illinois Department of Corrections (Director Latoya Hughes, Jennifer Parrack Chief of Programs, Linda Gaston-Rowe Parole)
- Strengthen relationship with 7th District Congressman Danny K Davis, St Rep Lashawn K Ford, St Rep Camile Lilly, Alderman Chris Telefario, Alderman Emma Mitts, Commissioner Tara Stamps
Workforce development community violence intervention SC2
This Austin Collaborative with the Institute for Non-Violence Chicago (INVC) as our Collaboration HUB is committed to authentic relationship building and transparency, and believes those are best achieved when you have shared values and a willingness to accomplish the greater good together
Austin Coming Together
BUILD
HOPE CDC
INVC HUB
Heartland Human Care