This month, Mutual of America hosted a hometown luncheon to recognize READI Chicago as a Merit Finalist Award recipient in the Mutual of America 2018 Community Partnership award competition.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5LPmsBxdmY&w=560&h=315]
The annual award recognizes nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated exemplary leadership, facilitating partnerships to build collaborative communities.
“READI Chicago set bold and courageous goals—to engage nearly 1200 of the hardest to reach young men in our city and to connect 500 of them to our innovative program by this spring,” Heartland Alliance President Evelyn Diaz said. “I am proud to say that together we are well on our way to achieving this goal. As of just a few weeks ago, we had engaged over 825 people in READI Chicago, and 430 have been connected to a transitional job. Nearly 60 percent of our participants are actively working.”
READI Chicago participant Seke, from the North Lawndale community, shared his personal story at the luncheon, reflecting on growing up on Chicago’s West Side and becoming involved with READI Chicago.
“READI Chicago has taught me to be independent and helped me develop my work ethic,” Seke said. “I’ve learned how to manage my anger and know that it’s okay to walk away sometimes. All the tools I’ve learned from READI Chicago, I know I’ll be using those in my everyday life.”
Mutual of America also awarded individuals significant to the success of READI Chicago, recognizing Crew Chief Terrance Woods from the Austin community, Job Coach Sadie Joseph from the North Lawndale community, and Outreach Worker Reality Lovett from the Englewood com
