Five thousand jobs in five years. That was the aim of Opportunity Chicago in 2006 when it set out to help 5,000 public housing residents prepare for and find quality jobs by the end of 2010.
To that end, Opportunity Chicago sought to engage in systems-level and individual-level change. Examples of the initiative’s priorities have been to expand and/or enhance the existing workforce service delivery system to maximize employment opportunities for CHA residents, promote the development and expansion of innovative and intensive employment skills and training programs, and to engage in public policy advocacy to achieve long-term sustainability. Some of our systems-level and individual-level successes are shared here. For more information on Opportunity Chicago’s story refer to publications.
Systems-Level Success
The path towards economic self-sufficiency is not readily mapped for most public housing residents. Residents needed a range of employment and support services, because many face barriers to employment, including little or no work history, low education and literacy levels, physical and mental-health issues for themselves and their children, and lack of access to child care and/or transportation. Residents also face a labor market in which a growing proportion of positions – even at the entry level – require more than a high school diploma.
To help pave the way for resident job seekers to reach economic self-sufficiency, Opportunity Chicago’s Strategic Advisors created a vision of permanent changes to be accomplished through institutional and policy improvements. Results are already evident, including the following:
- CHA residents are now considered a priority population within the Workforce Investment Act programs.
- Teaching literacy in an occupational context - or “contextualized literacy” - is a promising employment strategy on its way to becoming standard practice in various institutions. For example, the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services now supports such programs using Community Development Block Grant funds.
- Silos between public agencies have been dismantled, and cross-agency collaboration is becoming standard operating practice.
- CHA institutionalized a comprehensive referral and service approach with stronger support services.
Individual Successes
As of April, 2010 almost 5,700 CHA residents have found employment, and thousands more have benefited from cutting-edge job training and placement programs. Over 925 residents have completed certificate and degree programs through the City Colleges of Chicago, over 550 have accessed services through the city's Workforce Investment Act provider network, and nearly 1,500 have participated in transitional jobs programs. Opportunity Chicago did meet its goal of placing 5,000 public housing residents in jobs in five years, and each one of those 5,000 represents an individual with his or her own story of achievement. A few of these success stories are told here.
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“It’s a win-win situation for both parties involved.” —Taneesha Harris, assistant director of little Giants Child Care Center, discussing her company’s involvement with transitional jobs programs. |
“I was able to let them know it actually works and helps you be more qualified,” — Rose Ballard, training manager at Siemens discussing her experience with the IT-Workforce Development Initiative.
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“In the long run I could see this was a good career move.” —William Moss, discussing his decision to pursue training and employment in the security sector |