New Communities Program-The Center for Working Families

Community resident, Shawn Wilson, had been working for temporary agencies when a member of his church suggested he visit the Center for Working Families (CWF) office and speak with the employment specialist. Shawn had been seeking employment on his own for six months and was eager to pursue any pathway that would lead to a permanent position, so he followed the advice and decided to give the Center a try.

A collaboration between Logan Square Neighborhood Association and Humboldt Park Social Services, the CWF was developed from the idea that families need multiple support systems in order to be successful. The Center provides financial literacy, employment assistance, and access to many of the public benefits the state offers (like All Kids) at no cost to participants.

Through the CWF Shawn Wilson got a new position with a neighborhood lawn care business. “Ricky [his boss] is pretty laid back and lets you get your job done. I was hired as a worker, but the day I started, a driver position opened up and he gave me the keys to his car and a company cell phone.” More recently Shawn has begun working with the financial counselor to repair his credit. “Now that I’m working I can begin focusing on my credit. First I got a credit report and now I know what my situation looks like.”Jemila Lek, a CWF client who was recently employed by the YMCA, knows the difficulty of job searching in today’s market. “It’s hard out there, you need so many skills and a diploma for everything.” During her session Jemila, in addition of getting help with her resumé, received several job leads and was set up for an interview the next day. “When I went to the interview the people already knew who I was. I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect, but once I started it was good.” She was hired soon after that and continues to work there as a child care worker.

Connections like these are what make the Center for Working Families a valuable part of the community. Former clients have been connected with employment in areas that include shipping and handling, elderly care, and call centers as well as working for a variety of companies including the YMCA, O’Hare Airport, and Chicago Board of Elections.

Though other agencies may provide employment assistance, the Center for Working Families is set apart by its wrap-around services, relationships with neighborhood financial institutions and community businesses. Jemila sees it simply as “when you have people that help you out you get a better chance of getting in the door.”

For more information about the Center, please call us at 773 342-1168.