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Mayor Daley, the State of Illinois, and various Chicago philanthropies recently committed $22.5 Million to CHA Workforce Development Programs. These funds are earmarked for job training and job placement services for current and displaced CHA residents.

“Our plan for transformation is about creating new opportunities – opportunities for better housing, education, healthcare and better jobs,” said Mayor Daley. “But like any opportunity offered, they only work if people choose to take them.”

The announcement was made at a breakfast ceremony honoring some of the thousands of CHA residents who recently completed job-training programs and found new jobs and careers with the help of the city, the CHA, and private employers.

All former or current residents of CHA housing are eligible for such services as literacy and job training and employment placement services provided by city agencies, private partners, service connectors and relocation service providers. The Chicago Department of Human Service Connector Program was developed to help former and current CHA residents find jobs and prides itself on meeting all the needs of those who seek their assistance.

If your name is in the CHA database, you will be eligible for all the Service Connector Program services. If your name is not listed then you must contact CHA directly. In addition to the Service Connector program, the two centers for working families are the Near West CDC and The Abraham Lincoln Center, which provide additional resources for residents. Brittany Gill, a CHA resident who lives in West Haven Park, is enrolled in the Bridges to Careers program offered through the City Colleges of Chicago.

Upon graduation from Wright College last summer, Gill was offered a job as a customer service representative for Peoples Energy, earning more than $30,000 annually with benefits. “My success is really the success of all the folks here today, Near West CDC and CHA helped me get the education I needed and People’s Energy gave me the chance I needed to succeed,” said Gill.

“I want to tell everyone here today, and those who I hope will read or hear about it that this is and opportunity that comes once in a lifetime.” . Other employers involved in CHAresident employment include LaSalle Bank, Hilton Hotels, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Navy Pier, McCormick Place, Hyatt Hotels, Starbucks, Dominick’s Food Stores, Securitas, Clean Slate, the Chicago Industrial League, Chatham Dental and Chernin’s Shoe Outlet, among others.

The service connector number for North Lawndale is 312/746-6317. The Near West Community Development Corporation (CDC), 216 S. Hoyne Ave. Call LaShunda Gonzalez at 312/73802. The Abraham Lincoln Center is located 3858 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Call Amanda Deisch at 773/285- 1390. Julius Goodman is poet and motivational speaker. He is also a graduate from National Louis University with a degree in Behavioral Science. To comment on this article visit our weblog at: www.nlcn.org.