NORTH LAWNDALE, CHICAGO: Young adults ages 18 to 24 in Chicago face a variety of challenges. North Lawndale Employment Network is working to ensure that access to good local jobs and career training opportunities aren’t one of them. The workforce development organization invites all interested young adults ages 18-24 years of age, and interested parents, teachers, school staff and social service agency staff to join the organization at their Craft Your Path program open house on Wednesday, March 5th from 3 to 6PM at the organization’s 1111 S. Homan Avenue campus.
Guests will enjoy free food and beverages while learning about NLEN’s Craft Your Path program, which combines best in class job skills training with paid work experiences, dedicated coaching, and wraparound supports for job seekers ages 18 to 24. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive an $8,000 grant they can use to further their education and career training in some of the region’s most in demand sectors, including technology, healthcare, transportation, distribution and logistics, advanced manufacturing, and construction and building trades. Previous Craft Your Path graduates have gone on to lucrative careers in healthcare, trucking, and automotive mechanics.
“Investing in our young people is critically important so our future generations can find great careers that will allow them to support families and build intergenerational wealth” says NLEN’s Chief Impact and Innovation Officer Khelan Todd. “Many of the young people we engage with don’t know what they want to do for a career or need flexible options. Craft Your Path is the perfect fit for young adults wanting to take that first step and receive flexibility and support every step of the way”.
At the event, interested participants can enroll on the spot to streamline the process. “If you are 18 to 24 years old and you want to sign up, bring a valid Photo ID and Social Security Card and our staff can sign you right up at the event” says Todd. Staff and Craft Your Path graduates will be on hand to answer questions about the event and share their own insights on the program.
Interested attendees can sign up at cypopenhouse.eventbrite.com and can contact [email protected] with any additional questions.
Funding for this program is made possible through a grant provided by the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. For more information please visit: ChiCookWorks.org/DOL-Funding
About North Lawndale Employment Network: North Lawndale Employment Network’s mission is to improve the earnings potential of the North Lawndale community through innovative employment initiatives that lead to economic advancement and an improved quality of life. For 25 years NLEN has connected job seekers across North Lawndale, Chicago’s West Side, and the entire metropolitan region with best-in-class workforce training and individualized support to break barriers to employment and advance community prosperity. Learn more at nlen.org.
