Chicago Area Project AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers Build Capacity to Assist Local Organizations

The Chicago Area Project Career Development Training Employment Services (CDTES) recently sponsored a class of AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers to complete 12 hours of intensive training and professional development with Capacity Building Blocks, Inc. The interactive workshops covered such topics as creating tax-exempt nonprofit organizations; board recruitment and development; conducting asset based community needs assessments; program development and developing effective marketing and communications strategies. The VISTA Volunteers will share lessons learned with local community based organizations charged with increasing employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons.

CDTES promotes economic independence and self-sufficiency for low-income individuals by indentifying and eliminating barriers and by providing services specifically designed to address their individual needs and concerns. This includes job readiness assessments and training, mentoring, counseling, job coaching and life skills. CDTES offers a number of educational services, including adult literacy, adult basic education (ABE), and general education development (GED). CDTES partners with Illinois Dept of Human Services and Illinois Department of Public Aid-Child Support Enforcement Division and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) to provide other supportive services and benefits. For further information about the CDTES program, contact Mr. Keith Freeman, Senior Job Developer, at (312) 588-3870.

Capacity Building BlocksTM is a 10-week workshop series for nonprofit leaders who are serious about maximizing community impact. The interactive workshops provide an in-depth organizational assessment, and balance of instruction, case studies and group activities designed to help you strengthen your organization’s infrastructure, and position it for long term sustainability. You may participate in the entire series, or selected modules. For further information, contact Valerie F. Leonard at 773-521-3137 or valeriefleonard@msn.com.

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