To empower individuals overcoming employment barriers, Mayor Brandon Johnson alongside the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) celebrated the accomplishments of 39 Greencorps Chicago program graduates. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the initiative, a significant milestone for the city's green job training program which has been a part of community and workforce development for three decades. According to the city's press release, graduates have been equipped with practical skills ranging from ecological restoration to tree care.
Mayor Johnson hailed the program, stating that, “Greencorps Chicago is a powerful catalyst for transformation in our city.” He credited the program with not only providing job training but also with rebuilding communities, particularly in historically disinvested neighborhoods. The training program offers a nine-month curriculum that pays participants an hourly wage of $18.50, promoting healthier and safer communities while preparing them for employment. CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney also praised the resilience and dedication of the year’s graduates, emphasizing the program's role in transforming lives and communities, as reported by the City of Chicago.
The Greencorps Chicago offers hands-on field training and essential job readiness skills, graduating nearly 700 individuals over its existence. The past five years have seen an impressive job placement rate of 75 percent post-graduation. Trainees acquire various certifications such as First Aid/CPR and Illinois Pesticide operator license, enhancing their employability. Moreover, the program’s scope extends to revitalizing over 250 vacant lots on Chicago's south and west sides, improving over 25 acres of natural habitats, and planting thousands of trees and bulbs, as per the City of Chicago.
Integral to the success of the Greencorps graduates is the support system provided by the program, including wrap-around social services, mentoring, and professional coaching. A placement coordinator assists graduates in finding suitable employment, with many securing positions at places like the Chicago Park District and ecological restoration companies. Greencorps additionally runs a youth program that introduces high school students to sustainability fields, having engaged 161 participants this year from eight high schools located in south and west Chicago, as mentioned in the city’s announcement.
