A newsletter for participants in the Chicago Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher Program Message From the CEO: Greetings, As you read this latest edition of Going Places, spring will have joined us officially a few weeks ago. Even if the weather isn t quite what we want it to be, we know that nicer days are just around the corner. This is the time to think about new opportunities. It s time for our young people to start thinking about summer job prospects. CHA is accepting applications for CHA s 2017 Paid Summer Opportunities from residents between the ages of 13 and 24 now through May 14. Residents can register online at https://youth.thecha.org through May 14. CHA offers a number of paid summer opportunities providing exposure to careers and mentoring while developing experience and skills. Paid summer opportunities are open to all CHA residents - public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program participants between the ages of 13-24 - thanks to CHA partners the Chicago Police Department, University of Illinois-Chicago, DePaul University and the City of Chicago. This program is part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel s One Summer Chicago, which brings together government institutions, community-based organizations and companies in offering over 31,000 employment and internship opportunities to youth and young adults ages 14 to 24. This latest edition of Going Places provides information on more than just summer jobs for youth. Job training and opportunities also are available for adults and there are a few of them that you can take advantage of: Transitional Jobs Program, the American Job Centers, and Building Self Determination Job training. This newsletter is full of helpful information on programs and opportunities. Are you a motivated young adult aged 18-24? Then Year Up might be the opportunity you ve been waiting for. And if you need some incentive to kick-start your careers, take a look at what the American Job Centers have to offer. There s even a new program that provides a career path in the robotics industry, helping people gain valuable 21st century job skills. CHA s own Section 3 program is also increasing contracting opportunities for business that are owned by low-income residents. Seniors looking to learn more about a number of programs can attend workshops sponsored by the Cook County Elder Justice Center. In This Issue: Message From the CEO Search for a Unit on GoSection8.com Section 3 Business Concerns Choose to Own Orientation Schedule Paid Summer Opportunities for Youth and Young Adults Launch Your Dream Career Senior Enrichment Seminars Transitional Jobs Program MOD Fund Program Jumpstart Your Career at American Job Centers CHA Scholarship Program Building Self Determination Upcoming Participant Workshops As we welcome spring, let s also welcome all of the new opportunities that are offered. It is my hope that you take the time to read this newsletter and check out one of these programs that are designed to help you renew your efforts at making strides and improvements that will benefit you and your family. Regards, Eugene Jones, Jr. CEO CPD CLEARMAP Remember, CHA makes available on its website www.thecha.org the Chicago Police Department s (CPD) CLEARMAP database, which provides detailed information by block about crime, registered sex offenders, block clubs and more so that you have access to information that can assist you in making decisions about where you may want to live. Brochures about CLEARMAP are also available in all HCV field offices that explain what is offered through the CPD CLEARMAP database.
SECTION 3 BUSINESS CONCERNS Chicago Housing Authority is expanding and increasing contracting opportunities for businesses that are owned by low-income residents WHO S ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE? Businesses that meet eligibility of one or more of these criteria: 51% or more owned by Section 3 residents; or Whose permanent, full-time employees include persons, at least 30% of whom are currently Section 3 residents, or within 3 years of the date of first employment with the business were Section 3 residents; or Provide evidence of a commitment to subcontract in excess of 25% of the dollar award of all subcontracts to be awarded to businesses that meet the qualifications set forth in paragraphs (1) or (2) in this definition of Section 3 business. APPLY TODAY! https://section3jobs.thecha.org Applications are accepted throughout the year! CONTACT INFORMATION: section3@thecha.org (312) 542-8802 2
C H O O S E T O O W N Are you a CHA resident or voucher holder? If so, are you ready to buy a home? It can become a reality through CHA s homeownership program Choose To Own. Attending a homeownership orientation is a good start to learning about the program and help you decide if homeownership is right for you. Join us for an informational orientation session on one of the following dates: South West Regional Satellite Office, 10 W. 35 th St. Chicago IL Thursday 4/20/17 4:00 PM to 5:00PM Wednesday 5/24/17 4:00PM to 5:00PM Wednesday 6/21/17 4:00PM to 5:00PM West Regional Satellite Office, 2750 W. Roosevelt Rd. Chicago IL Thursday 5/4/17 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Wednesday 6/28/17 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM CHA Central Office, 60 E. Van Buren, Chicago IL Wednesday 5/10/17 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Wednesday 6/7/17 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Neighborhood Housing Services, 449 W. 79th St, Chicago IL Wednesday 4/12/17 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP), 2558 W. 63rd St, Chicago IL Thursday 4/6/17 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Spanish Coalition for Housing, 1922 N. Pulaski, Chicago IL Thursday 4/27/17 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Thursday 6/1/17 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM LUCHA, 1152 N. Christiana, Chicago IL Thursday 5/18/17 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Thursday 6/15/17 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Through the CTO Homeownership Program, qualifying families may use their subsidy towards their mortgage payments on the purchase of a single-family home, townhouse, condominium or cooperative within the City of Chicago. This program is voluntary and open to all eligible CHA residents and voucher holder families. *Please be on time. Doors will close at orientation start time.* RSVP NOT REQUIRED! Questions? Email CHA s CTO Staff at CTOprogram@thecha.org All orientations above are in English. 3
2017 PAID SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES for CHA Youth & Young Adults Application available on MARCH 13 I The deadline to apply is MAY 14 Note: Some opportunities may have earlier deadlines. Please visit the application for more information as programs and dates are subject to change without notice. CHA offers a number of paid summer opportunities in which you can spend your summer working, learning, creating and developing skills within a local business, university, non-profit or government institution in Chicago! Participants can earn between $600 - $1155 (varies by program). For more information or to apply, please visit HTTPS://YOUTH.THECHA.ORG ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS A current Chicago Housing Authority resident* Between the ages of 13 24 (Applicants must be at least 13 years old and no older than 24 years old by June 26th) Agree to participate in an interview, orientation and/or job readiness training TO APPLY YOU WILL NEED: CHA Client ID number (It is usually 4 7 numbers and may contain a letter at the beginning or end (e.g. n1111, 0000000t) Last four digits of the Head of household s social security number Applicant s date of birth * You are a Chicago Housing Authority resident if you are included on a lease at a CHA Family, Mixed-Income, Scattered Site, or Senior development or renting in the private market through the CHA s Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly known as Section 8). HOW TO APPLY Visit the online application at HTTPS://YOUTH.THECHA.ORG by the May 14th deadline Select up to 3 programs for which you are eligible based on age, gender or grade in school Submit an essay response for each of your program selections If you are selected, you will be contacted in June by email or phone to attend an interview, orientation and/or job readiness training DEADLINE QUESTIONS? 14 MAY 2017 The deadline to apply is Sunday, May 14, though some programs may have earlier deadlines Youth Hotline 312-786-6930 Youthopportunities@thecha.org HTTPS://YOUTH.THECHA.ORG 4 (See reverse side of flyer for program descriptions)
CHA Residents, Launch Your Dream Career! Are you a motivated young adult aged 18-24? If you re interested in any of the following, Year Up might be an amazing opportunity for you: Earning up to 31 college credit recommendations Growing technical and professional skills for an in-demand career A weekly stipend Free transportation for 3 months of the program 6 month internship with a top company Have questions? Call us at 312-726-5300 ext. 1 or email us at: chicagoadmissions@yearup.org We are now recruiting for our September classes! Final deadline Friday, June 30th, 2017 Apply Today at: www.yearup.org/apply 223 West Jackson Blvd. Suite 400 Chicago, IL 60606 Senior Enrichment Seminars - Cook County Elder Justice Center Cook County Elder Justice Center Richard J. Daley Center - Concourse Level CL-16 50 W. Washington Street Chicago, IL 60602 Space is limited - to reserve your spot, please call (312) 603-9233 DATE ROOM TOPIC Thursday, May 11th 2017 Social Security and Medicare Thursday, May 25th 2017 Thursday, June 8th 2017 Thursday, June 22nd 2017 Thursday, July 6th 2017 Thursday, July 20th 2017 Common Financial Frauds and Scams Targeting the Senior Consumer Understanding and Preventing Elder Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation Managing Evictions and Code Violations: Useful Tools Benefits and Services: Do You Know About This? Veterans' Benefits: What Am I Entitled To? 5
Transitional Jobs (TJ) Program The Transitional Jobs (TJ) Program available through CHA is a great way to gain work experience and get connected to a quality job. The program offers participants up to six weeks of subsidized (paid) work experience and then helps participants transition into permanent employment. The TJ Program Assists: Those with little or no work experience Those who have not worked in the past 12 months Those looking to increase their reading and/or math levels The TJ Program offers: Job Readiness Training Career Coaching Resume Development Interview Tips & Mock Interviewing Financial Literacy Training Anger Management & Conflict Resolution Training Connections to Great Jobs HCV Residents: Contact Debra Cobbins (312) 442-1126 or debra.cobbins@eesforjobs.com Careers at American Job Center More than 14,000 people in the Chicagoland area use American Job Centers to jumpstart their careers! Whether you re interested in truck driving, retail, hospitality, health care, or information technology; the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) can help. The Partnership provides funding to 10 American Job Centers across the Chicagoland area. American Job Centers are designed to provide free services to help job seekers: Build a resume improve interview skills learn how to dress for work get job training, earn special certifications Visit an American Job Center today, so we can help you! For more information or to find a center near you, please visit our website@ www.workforceboard.org, call Tina Caldwell, Career Coach, at (312) 835-7399 or Danny Marshall, Career Coach, at (312) 965-0419. SPREAD theword! DID YOU KNOW THAT THE CHA OFFERS AN ACCESSIBILITY MODIFICATION FUND MOD FUND PROGRAM? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? The CHA s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) participants or household members with a verifiable disability, are eligible via the submission & approval of a Reasonable Accommodation request, to receive a reasonable modification (structural change) to existing premises, occupied or to be occupied by the person with a disability. WHAT ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF A REASONABLE MODIFICATION? 2017-2018 CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Ramps Porch or Stair Lifts Roll-in Showers Accessible sinks For more information, please contact the Housing Rights and Nondiscrimination department at 312.913.7062 6
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Housing Choice Voucher Program 60 E. Van Buren Chicago, IL 60605 8 GOING PLACES Upcoming Participant Workshops Topic Date Location HCVP Accommodations for Disability, Violence, and Financial Hardship CHA Services for Youth, Seniors, and Families Interims: How Income and Family Changes Can Impact Your Voucher Practical Steps Toward Financial Freedom The HCVP Moves Process and Porting Out Thursday, May 4th 2017 2PM - 4PM Thursday, May 18th 2017 3PM - 5PM Wednesday, May 24th 2017 5PM - 7PM Tuesday, June 6th 2017 2PM - 4PM Monday June 19th 2017 4PM - 6PM CHA South Office 10 W. 35th Street, 5th Floor Chicago, IL 60616 Roosevelt Branch Library 1101 W. Taylor Street Chicago, IL 60607 Avalon Branch Library 8148 S. Stony Island Avenue Chicago, IL 60617 Near North Library 310 W. Division Street Chicago, IL 60610 Hayes Family Investment Center 4859 S. Wabash avenue Chicago, IL 60615 Register for these and other participant workshops online at http://cha-hcvevents.eventbrite.com/ To register via phone, call (312) 542-8881