Reentry/Adult Services
The Center provides a compassionate, hope-centered environment that empowers participants to rebuild their lives. Services include job readiness training, job placement assistance, vocational training, and a range of support services. These free programs are available to individuals with felony records, veterans, people with special needs, and Chicago residents who are unemployed, underemployed, or experiencing homelessness.
Our Key Offerings
and Programs
- Transitional Jobs (TJ)
TJ programs provide time-limited, subsidized employment opportunities coupled with intensive supportive services and skills development to eligible job seekers who lack a competitive work history and/or knowledge of the workplace necessary to obtain employment. The goal of the City of Chicago funded Transitional Jobs (TJ) program is to provide temporary subsidized jobs that combine real work, skill development and support services for participants that can result in permanent job opportunities with employer partners.
- CTA’s Second Chance Program
CTA’s Second Chance Program is a nationally recognized program that provides valuable job skills and career opportunities to Chicago residents who often face challenges re-entering the workforce. The Second Chance program takes a holistic approach to preparing individuals to be self-sufficient. It not only provides jobs to returning citizens, victims of abuse and others who face barriers to employment, but also offers a wide range of training, education, mentoring and networking opportunities which can lead to a long-term, meaningful career. The CTA Second Chance Program provides program participants with a 12-month, full-time paid training apprenticeship. After the 12-month apprenticeship, program participants are evaluated for full-time employment at the Chicago Transit Authority based on their attendance, work performance and behavior.
- The Employment Preparation and Placement Program
The Employment Preparation and Placement Program aims to recruit clients that are out of work or under-employed, provide them with the necessary job readiness training to prepare them to obtain and retain the job, and then support them on their journey with vocational training, job placement, education, job placement and supportive services through at least 180 days of employment.
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