Teamwork Englewood, the Englewood Quality of Life Plan and Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW) launched the Englewood Women’s Initiative (EWI) July 12, 2017 to increase women’s economic security in the Englewood community. EWI will equip qualified women with the tools, skills and resources to put them on a path to good-paying jobs (earning at least $40,000/year) and long-term economic stability. Interested women should contact www.teamworkenglewood.org.
According to the Social Impact Research Center at Heartland Alliance, Greater Englewood is home to more than 10,000 families, more than two-thirds of which are headed by single mothers. About 40 percent of all families are living below the federal poverty line; 85 percent of young children in Englewood live at or below 185 percent of the poverty level.
“Chicago Foundation for Women has built a strategic alliance of agencies that will work together to strengthen the economic security of women and their children living in Englewood,” CFW President and CEO K. Sujata said. “The Englewood Women’s Initiative will address the full range of women’s needs, from financial coaching and job training, to domestic violence counseling and legal aid, in order to put them on a path to economic security.”
A coalition of eight agencies will provide at least 50 women with industry-specific skills training for careers in construction and manufacturing, as well as resources for women entrepreneurs looking to start or strengthen their own business. Partner agencies include: ACCION Chicago, Chicago Women in Trades, Demoiselle 2 Femme, Family Rescue, Jane Addams Resource Corporation, Metropolitan Family Services, Team- work Englewood and the Women’s Business Development Center.
The initiative, funded by Chicago Foundation for Women, is being presented by Teamwork Englewood through the Jobs and Economic Development Task Force of the resident developed Quality of Life Plan (QLP link ).
“The Englewood Women’s Initiative complements the QLP agenda to create a healthy, vibrant community by equipping Englewood women with the tools, skills and resources to secure economically viable careers that can sustain their families now and for future generations,“ said Felicia Slaton Young, Chairperson, Jobs and Economic Development Task Force and President, Englewood Chamber of Commerce.
“This program prepares women for highly skilled ‘legacy careers’ in manufacturing, welding, and construction. These are careers that their children are likely to continue because the skills will be needed to support the growing and evolving Englewood community.”
About Chicago Foundation for Women
Chicago Foundation for Women invests in women and girls as catalysts, building strong communities for all. CFW funds organizations working to solve the biggest problems facing women and girls: economic insecurity, violence, and access to health care and information. In addition to grantmaking, CFW invests in developing women leaders and advocates, and brings together diverse coalitions to collaborate, share resources and develop solutions. To learn more, visit www.cfw.- org
About Teamwork Englewood
Teamwork was formed in 2003 as part of the New Communities Program, sponsored by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the MacArthur Foundation. Its goal is to convene, connect and impact the many organizations serving Englewood residents and work toward the common goal of building a stronger community.
Created by St. Bernard Hospital, Greater Englewood Parish United Methodist Church and Pullman Bank Initiatives (a subsidiary of the former Park National Bank), Teamwork Englewood drew input from more than 600 residents to draft a “Quality of Life Plan” – a roadmap to a brighter future for Englewood. For more information, please visit: www.teamworkenglewood.org.
