Programs
Workforce Development
Workforce Investment Act
for Adult and Dislocated Workers
Our Mid-South, Southwest, and Cicero Workforce Centers help low-income and
laid-off workers find and keep good jobs, get access to training
opportunities, and receive other career-related services. Funded by
the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the City of Chicago’s Department
of Family and Support Services (DFSS), and the Cook County
President’s Office of Employment Training (POET), services are
available at no cost to eligible residents.
Workforce Investment Act for Youth
Our WIA Youth programs at the Mid-South and Southwest Chicago
Workforce Centers offer the same services as our
WIA Adult programs, but with an approach customized to meet the
unique needs of Chicago’s youth population. Funded by WIA and
DFSS, services are available at no cost to eligible Chicago youth.
Community Services Block Grant
E&ES provides career counseling and job placement assistance at four
Chicago Community Service Centers, facilities run by DFSS that help
individuals and families access a wide range of resources including
shelter, food, and clothing.
Young Parents Demonstration Grant
Designed to supplement our existing WIA
for Youth program, the Department of Labor’s Young Parents
Demonstration Grant allows E&ES to provide intensive, persistent
mentoring to parents and expectant mothers 18 to
21 years old.
Comprehensive Case Management, Employment, and Clinical
FamilyWorks
As a service provider for the Chicago Housing Authority’s (CHA)
FamilyWorks program, we offer intensive case management services
for public housing residents in four main service categories:
Employment preparation, placement,
and retention: We help prepare residents for work and place
them in quality positions that foster long-term job retention.
Housing: We work with residents to ensure they are
lease compliant and have made their permanent housing choice.
Clinical: Our on-site Licensed Clinical Social
Workers reduce barriers to self-sufficiency by engaging with
residents through counseling services and referrals.
Support services: We use our large referral network
of community and government partners to assist residents with
various life challenges, including access to child care, senior
services, and utility assistance.
E&ES is committed to the objectives outlined in the CHA’s "Plan for
Transformation." We actively engage with and advocate for CHA
residents to increase their housing choices and encourage
self-sufficiency.
Transitional Jobs
As our newest CHA initiative, the Transitional Jobs program
provides residents the chance to establish a solid work history
that will help them get and keep good jobs.
The program has three components:
Job-readiness training: E&ES
Trainers prepare residents for employment through a week-long
seminar covering everything from résumé writing and interview skills
to workplace stress and conflict resolution.
Placement in temporary subsidized employment:
Our Job Developers work with local businesses to develop
on-the-job training opportunities matched to each resident's
interests and experience.
Transition to permanent unsubsidized employment: After successfully completing the subsidized employment period,
residents work with their Job Developer to gain permanent
unsubsidized employment.
Read a few of
Our Success Stories.
Good Neighbor
Through the Good Neighbor program, E&ES helps public housing
residents maintain lease compliance while enhancing
their home and community through three
interactive seminars:
Home Management: E&ES staff
expands residents’ knowledge about managing their home environment,
equipping them to better understand the role of the landlord and
principles of home maintenance.
Community Building: E&ES staff offers tips for
integrating into a new community, including an introduction to using
community resources, choosing a school for their children,
considering cultural differences, and developing conflict-management
skills.
Financial Awareness: E&ES staff teaches residents
the principles of everyday money management. Residents learn how to
get and interpret personal credit reports and scores, maintain a
checking account, create a budget and savings plan, and make
positive financial decisions.
For more information about our programs, call us at one of our Locations.