EAST CHICAGO | – An initiative to target unemployed city residents and provide them with job skill development and employment placement opportunities was announced Thursday at Ivy Tech Community College.

Put East Chicago Back to Work is an initiative developed through a partnership with Foundations of East Chicago and Holistic Community Coalition, a locally-based nonprofit organization designed to address the disparity of underserved communities.

“It’s a pretty comprehensive program that’s aggressive, sustainable and measurable,” said the Rev. Darnell Johnson, CEO of the coalition and pastor of the nearby Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church. Johnson said the initiative will give participants a more sustainable and better quality of life.

“It’s something that’s actually going to catapult our participants into career paths,” he said. “Ultimately, we’re not just looking at job placement; we’re also concerned about job retention. We have empowered ourselves to place individuals in real-time job opportunities.

Partners in the initiative include Ivy Tech, Lake County Community Corrections, Indiana Plan, North Township Trustee, Disposal Alternative Organization and Mission of Jesus Christ.

Foundations of East Chicago is providing a $240,000 grant for the initiative’s first year of a three-year implementation plan that has a capacity to offer customized training to 240 local residents.

“For us to invest $240,000 for the first year of operation of this and to hear there is potentially 240 people who will be gainfully employed from the results of this — the math works out pretty good,” Foundations Executive Director Russell Taylor said.

Ivy Tech will provide all of the training on a short-term timetable and get participants certified through its Corporate College program. Johnson said residents then can be placed in jobs with companies that are actually hiring for the skills they’ve been trained to receive.

Ivy Tech Vice Chancellor Louis Gonzalez said the initiative is a renaissance for the city. “In my opinion it’s going to be a turning point for East Chicago,” he said. The first training module of the initiative will begin at the end of November.

East Chicago residents who want more information can call (219) 354-0249, ext. 16, and ask for Sophia Williams.

1. Union Benefica Mexicana (UBM)

2. Missions of Jesus Christ

3. Puerto Rican Parade and Cultural Organization of Northwest Indiana, Inc.

4. Purdue University Calumet Talent Search

5. Greater Destiny Bible Church

Each agency will present information about its use of the FEC funds to fulfill its mission through activities and services for the East Chicago community.

In addition, the public is invited to view our new gallery of photographs depicting our thirteen-year history of philanthropy. This includes the recently funded successful collaborations with local organizations, for positive change begins with the Foundations of East Chicago.

Light refreshments will be served at this event.

For more information, please contact FEC Program Manager Janet Wozniak at (219) 392-4225 or jwozniak@foundationsec.org.

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Place: Healthy East Chicago, 100 W. Chicago Avenue, East Chicago, IN 46312

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Place: Healthy East Chicago, 100 W. Chicago Avenue, East Chicago, IN 46312

Date: March 11, 2010

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00p.m.

Place: Healthy East Chicago, 100 West Chicago Avenue, East Chicago, IN 46312-3260

Map to Healthy East Chicago

Please note: Date and location changed
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2009
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Place: Healthy East Chicago, 100 West Chicago Avenue, East Chicago, Indiana 46312

Five agencies (East Chicago Fitness Center, Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, Inc., Munster Community Fitness Point, Northwest Indiana Meals on Wheels and We Care from the Heart) will give a brief presentation on how their programs have changed the lives for many East Chicago residents.

Be sure to attend if you want to see dedicated people producing remarkable results! For more information, call 219-392-4225.

• Recognition of our 2009 Scholarship recipients
• Assessment activity to advance our Strategic Plan
• Review of the work of our Collaborative Network Grantees