After more than a year of virtual programming, READI Chicago has begun to welcome participants back to in-person cognitive behavioral interventions, paid work, and training opportunities. In Austin, READI community partners Institute for Nonviolence Chicago and Heartland Human Care Services dedicated an entire week to welcoming participants back.
Samantha Smith, resource coordinator for READI’s Austin and West Garfield Park communities, said it was important to take a moment to celebrate participants and their wins after an especially challenging year.
Austin’s welcome week featured a resource and training event, where community partners set up stations to share potential training opportunities. Participants were commended for their attendance and accomplishments with individual awards, and the week culminated in an ice cream social.
