Blog

National Able Network (Able) had an amazing year at Prairie State College! The Chicago Heights Workforce Center relocated in July 2014 after nearly three years of co-location with the Illinois Department of Employment Security at 1010 Dixie Highway since December 2011. Our current location at Prairie State College has a state-of-the-art resource center, as well as access to classrooms and computer labs for our clients. This location provides hundreds of low-income adults and dislocated workers with career services such as job readiness training, career coaching, job placement and training opportunities. As a result of this move, Able’s partnership with Prairie State College has produced successful results!

Initially when we relocated, our focus was on getting the word out that we moved. We wanted job seekers to know that Able was still in the community providing services. Staff participated in many recruitment events and established partnerships with other community-based organizations in the area for referrals. With everyone’s effort, Able was able to serve 445 clients out of this location through the adult and dislocated worker program in its first post-move year! Able’s staff have also worked hard throughout the program year to help clients achieve their goals – we were able to place 190 clients in full time self-sustaining employment! Much of our success can be attributed to our new service delivery process which includes Job Search Work Teams, Crash Course (a two-day intensive job readiness workshop), and the Training Guidance Workshop.

This upcoming program year, we plan on extending services to even more job seekers in need! The Chicago Heights Workforce Center at Prairie State College will be planning some hiring events in coordination with our business development team. Our staff will continue offering the best customer service possible to exceed our clients’ expectations. We will continue establishing and strengthening partner relationships with community-based organizations, chambers, and businesses that will lead to collaborations, job referrals and resources for our clients. More specifically, Able will continue building on our relationship with the Illinois Department of Employment Security and continue to be an integral part of the Southland Human Leadership Council Meetings facilitated by United Way. Also, we’re currently in the process of expanding access to brand-new workshops offered by the Center for Economic Progress. With the further development of community partnerships and new workshop offerings, we are confident that our second year at Prairie State College will be even more successful than last year!

If you or someone you know is a job seeker looking to start their career path, call 855-994-8300 or click here!

(Photo Above: Francheska Feliciano, Site Director at National Able Network’s Chicago Heights Workforce Center, speaking at the Prairie State College Open House in March 2015.)