At READI Chicago, we believe workforce development and an ability to earn a living in a safe and sustainable way are critical to improving safety in our communities. We help our participants work toward increased economic opportunity through daily professional development, job coaching and training, and paid transitional employment.
Real work experience and on-the-job feedback and training prepare our participants for success after READI Chicago, and this can only happen when employer partners like the Chicago Furniture Bank (CFB) show their support by working with our participants, understanding the barriers they face, and opening access to more opportunities.
“Workforce development has always been core to what we do at the CFB in order to make sure that not only is furniture going to our communities that need it, but also jobs and opportunities,” CFB Director and Co-Founder Andrew Witherspoon said. “Before you can have opportunities to succeed, you need to have experience. In addition to furniture, the communities we serve also need our commitment and trust.”
Founded in 2018, the CFB is a nonprofit that collects donated furniture and, by partnering with more than 350 social service agencies including READI Chicago, helps people as they transition from homelessness or unstable housing situations by furnishing their new permanent homes. While a number of READI participants have received furniture through this program, even more have benefited from the CFB’s partnership with READI as a transitional workforce site. In fact, 75% of the CFB’s permanent workforce was hired through transitional employment programs like READI.
“These workers are people who have made the courageous decision to do something different with their lives,” Andrew said. “We partner with READI so people can learn what it’s like to work a traditional job, receive immediate on-the-job feedback, and make sure they’re in a position to be successful.”
Andrew said the CFB is currently furnishing about 12 rooms of furniture per day and that READI workers are vital to making this happen, helping to sort, organize, and distribute the furniture. Heartland Human Care Services READI Crew Chief Charise Brown said that her crew looks forward to work at the CFB, and that several of the men are even aiming for permanent positions when they finish READI down the line.
“The CFB understands READI—they know who we’re working with and what we’re working toward, and they’re understanding and give second chances,” Charise said. “My guys love coming here and it helps them work really well together.”
