A historic Chicago neighborhood grappling with high rates of unemployment is getting a much-needed opportunity. Thanks to the North Lawndale Employment Network, residents are benefiting from essential job skills training and employment placement opportunities. The agency served 1,988 people in the 2014 fiscal year, resulting in 599 people securing full-time employment and part-time employment.1
JPMorgan Chase’s support for workforce initiatives has bolstered the agency’s work. “The transformative impact that our work and JPMorgan Chase's investment has had over a period of time has been astounding. We have been successful because JPMorgan Chase didn’t expect a miracle in year one—the growth was over a period of time for real lasting impact,” said Brenda Palms Barber, Executive Director, NLEN.
Grants coupled with a $100,000 line of credit extended to NLEN boosted the organization’s bottom line—which grew from a $1.2 million operating budget to $2.7 million—and helped launch Sweet Beginnings, a local honey business designed to create employment for NLEN participants who have a felony conviction in their past. The business now has four honey-producing apiaries in the Chicago area, with the most recent location at the Cook County Forest Preserve. Natural honey and honey-infused skincare products are sold under the beeloveTM brand name at local markets, online and at Mariano’s, Hudson’s and Whole Foods.
Participants work at Sweet Beginnings for 90 days and learn every facet of the business—from farming and harvesting to inventory management and sales. The skills acquired translate to other positions in manufacturing, distribution and hospitality. The recidivism rate for former Sweet Beginnings workers is less than 4 percent, well below the Illinois average of 55 percent.1
We believe that one of the most important challenges for us to take on as a company is to support our city's efforts to close the skills and employment gap. NLEN's services are strongly aligned to this mission, and their work is truly making a difference in the community.
Daniel S., Managing Director, Corporate Responsibility Midwest Region
NLEN’s newest initiative, Moving Forward, is a partnership with the city’s public transportation agency, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). The pilot program trains people with felony histories to be diesel mechanics for positions within the CTA or the private sector. Such positions can pay about $30 an hour, plus benefits.1 The support from JPMorgan Chase allowed NLEN to develop a coaching model for the Moving Forward participants, so they received essential support during programming and for as long as needed after they were hired.
For more information about North Lawndale Employment Network, visit www.nlen.org.
1. Brenda Palm Barber, North Lawndale Employment Network, 2014
