Career Pathways leads neighborhood residents to University employment
Like other people who have received a fresh start on a new career, Woodlawn resident Ramona Culbertson is pleased she came across Career Pathways Initiative, her roadmap to employment at the University of Chicago.
“I hadn’t worked for five years, because I was caring for my mother who was ill. When she passed last June, I knew I had to do something,” said Culbertson who works in food service at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She took part in job preparation sessions in The Cara Program, a Career Pathways Partner, and learned how to evaluate her interests as well as how look for a job.
Culbertson determined she would enjoy a job working closely to serve others. Her previous jobs had given her little such satisfaction, and she hopes her new position will lead her into working with children under care of the Medical Center. Eventually she would like to go on to get a degree in early child development and pursue a career working with children.
What is the Career Pathways Initiative?
The Career Pathways Initiative was organized by the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Medical Center in partnership with the Chicago Mayor's Office Development Workforce and The Cara Program, a leading non-profit agency, which provides intensive training and support to workers who have limited employment experience. Local residents who are interested in finding jobs can also visit the Career Pathways Resource Center at 950 E. 61st St, or call 773.752.0687.
Vermetta Gonnigan, a South Shore resident, works in the Medical Center delivering food to patients and found her job through Career Pathways. “I always wanted to work at the University of Chicago and this program gave me a way to do that. I like the fact that the job is close to home. I plan to go on to school and study nutrition.”
Gonnigan spoke about her experiences at a press conference with Mayor Richard M. Daley and University President Robert J. Zimmer. The press conference launched the program, which is intended to expand University and Medical Center employment in surrounding neighborhoods.
In the first few months of the program launch, 17 Woodlawn and mid-South Side residents were employed by the University of Chicago, the University of Chicago Medical Center and other employers who are excited to be a part of the Career Pathways Initiative, according to Eric Weinheimer, President of The Cara Program.
The Cara Program's staff of professional coaches works with employers and employees to assure the job placement is successful. It also develops training so that the employee can be promoted to one or two positions above entry-level.
What is Cleanslate?
The Cara Program also operates a social enterprise, Cleanslate, which organizes crews to clean streets and parks throughout the city. Cleanslate provides neighborhood beautification services to 10 Chicago neighborhoods, including South Shore, Hyde Park and other nearby South Side neighborhoods.
Among the people already employed through the program who worked for Cleanslate is Leslie McCarter, who now works in the shipping department of the University of Chicago Press.
“I work in the returns department. Books that don't get sold get shipped back, and they come back in dolly carts that we unload and sort. I love working here. I put a sign the other day on my car, ‘Leslie, the Queen of Returns.’ That made me feel good,” said the Englewood resident.
By Bill Harms
