McCormick Foundation and Chicago Tribune Support Career-Path Employment

CHICAGO, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the economy slowly recovers, increasing numbers of lower-income workers struggle to access services they need to find jobs. Recognizing this need, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and the Chicago Tribune have announced $850,000 in funding through Chicago Tribune Charities, a McCormick Foundation Fund, to 23 local nonprofits providing employment and training services to help individuals become self-sufficient.  

"In spite of improvements in our economy, many communities and individuals are struggling to succeed," said David Hiller, President and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. "If these motivated individuals find sustainable work, we all benefit. Through the generous donations of many Chicagoans, we're helping remove barriers for a lot of people by providing access to training they need, to get and keep a job."

"The programs cover a broad range of needed workforce development, including literary and skills training for high-demand jobs," notes Tony Hunter, Publisher of the Chicago Tribune and CEO of Tribune Publishing.  "In addition, the advocacy support provided by these nonprofits helps to strengthen and improve workforce training throughout the metropolitan area."

Since 1990, more than $11 million has been granted through Chicago Tribune Charities to support community-based vocational and employment programs. The McCormick Foundation matches all gifts at 50 cents on the dollar, increasing the impact of individual contributions. The Foundation and Chicago Tribune pay all campaign and administrative costs, ensuring 100 percent of donations, plus the match, is granted to local nonprofits improving individual lives across Chicagoland.

The 2012 workforce development grants will be awarded to nonprofits providing high-quality services including:

• Advocacy / Technical Assistance:  $215,000 to 4 nonprofits providing research on best practices, training direct service providers, promoting change in the workforce delivery system or advocating for increased public funding.
• Bridge Programs:  $125,000 to 4 nonprofits providing training programs for adults who lack the basic skills to enter and succeed in post-secondary education programs. Bridge programs create career-path employment opportunities combining education and training for adults who have reading and math skills below the 9th grade level.
• Job Training and Economic Development (JTED):  $235,000 to 7 nonprofits providing training programs based in community organizations developed in partnership with local businesses. JTED programs serve low-income job seekers and help participants build skills related to growth industries.  These companies are paying a living wage with opportunity for advancements, including training that leads to a certificate or license.
• Transitional Jobs Programs:  $165,000 to 4 nonprofits providing training programs offering work experience, supportive services and earned income for the chronically unemployed. Program participants have significant barriers to overcome, including criminal records, histories of homelessness, language proficiency, long-term welfare dependence and education below the 6th grade level. 
• Youth Job Programs: $75,000 for 3 nonprofits providing skills training that leads to a certificate or license, creating a career-path for youth ages 16-24.
• Capacity-Building: $35,000 for 1 organization helping Chicagoland workforce development nonprofits improve data collection and develop success metrics for program improvements.

The 2012 Chicago Tribune Charities workforce development grant recipients include:

1. Association House of Chicago will receive $35,000 for the Vocational Bridge Academy, which provides adult education, computer training, and support services to adults with very low work skills.
2. Chicago Jobs Council will receive $90,000 for general support.
3. Chinese American Service League, Inc. will receive 30,000 for the Chef Training program, which provides kitchen training, employment skills development, ESL tutoring, and job placement assistance to low income residents with limited work experience and skills.
4. Erie Neighborhood House will receive $25,000 for Pathways to Success, a career bridge training program in healthcare and manufacturing, for low income adults with limited English proficiency and work skills.
5. Greater West Town Community Development Project will receive $45,000 for the Vocational Job Training and Placement program, providing occupational training and job placement services in Woodworking and Shipping/Receiving.
6. HarborQuest, Inc. will receive $30,000 for the Member Services program, providing job readiness training, short-term subsidized work experience, and unsubsidized job placements for the chronically unemployed.
7. Inspiration Corporation will receive $50,000 for the Training and Employment Services, providing job readiness workshops, hard skills training, internships and job placements for clients with limited skills and work experience.
8. Institute for Latino Progress (Instituto del Progreso Latino) will receive $45,000 for Carreras en Salud (healthcare careers), an intensive program helping low skilled clients with limited English proficiency along a career pathway in the healthcare field.
9. Jane Addams Resource Corporation will receive $25,000 for Computer Numerical Control Fast Track program, which provides dislocated workers with technical skills training leading to jobs in the metal fabricating sector.
10. Jewish Vocational Service and Employment Center will receive $20,000 for the Healthcare Adult Basic Education Bridge, a new program to prepare low income adults with limited work skills to enter a home health aide certificate-based job training program.
11. Literacy Works will receive $25,000 for the Employ Lit program, which trains workforce development staff on effective ways to work with low-literate adults in job readiness programs.
12. National Able Network, Inc. will receive $35,000 for the Career Advancement program, providing on-line skills training in office management, bookkeeping and sales to unemployed and underemployed adults with non-traditional schedules.
13. National Latino Education Institute will receive $35,000 for the Workforce Development Initiatives, providing job training and placement services in health care and customer service.
14. North Lawndale Employment Network will receive $45,000 for the U-Turn Permitted program, which provides an intensive job preparation curriculum, transitional jobs, and placement support to formerly-incarcerated adults.
15. OAI, Inc. will receive $25,000 for the Minority Worker Training program, providing 15 weeks of training in hazardous materials/environmental remediation to individuals on Chicago's west side.
16. Polish American Association will receive $40,000 for the Employment Services and Vocational Training program, providing career counseling, job training, and support services for those interested in the health care industry.
17. Public Private Ventures will receive $35,000 for the Chicago Workforce Benchmarking Initiative, a collaboration of 15 workforce development nonprofits focused on improving data collection and developing meaningful outcome measures for program improvement.
18. Safer Foundation will receive $25,000 for the Policy and Advocacy program, which addresses barriers that prevent formerly-incarcerated individuals from attaining employment and was the lead organization that helped reform eligibility criteria for work certificates in Illinois.
19. St. Leonard's Ministries will receive $40,000 for the Michael Barlow Employment Center program, providing ex-offenders with soft and hard skill job training and placement services.
20. Women Employed will receive $75,000 for general support.
21. Year Up, Inc. will receive $15,000 for Year Up Chicago, which provides a year-long IT training and internship opportunities to low-income youth.
22. Youth Guidance will receive $20,000 for the Project Prepare program, which partners with five public high schools to provide career preparation, job training and post-secondary services to low income students at risk of academic failure.
23. Youth Job Center of Evanston, Inc. will receive $40,000 for the Career Pathways program, which offers individualized skills assessments, employment plans, and job training to in-school and out-of-school youth.

About the Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Robert R. McCormick Foundation is committed to fostering communities of educated, informed and engaged citizens. Through philanthropic programs, Cantigny Park and museums, the Foundation helps develop citizen leaders and works to make life better in our communities. The Foundation was established as a charitable trust in 1955, upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The McCormick Foundation is one of the nation's largest foundations, with more than $1 billion in assets.

The McCormick Foundation continues McCormick's legacy by partnering with media outlets, such as the Chicago Tribune, sports teams and philanthropic organizations across the country, to encourage local giving, inspire civic involvement and address human needs. To learn more about the McCormick Foundation visit www.McCormickFoundation.org.  

SOURCE McCormick Foundation