Our Mission
Together with community and institutional leaders, Chicago Jobs Council is re-imagining our workforce system so all people can thrive through employment.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create an anti-racist workforce development system and employment equity so that everyone can realize their unique pathway out of poverty.
Our Values
Act with Understanding
Acknowledge each person as their full self — not just the work they do — to strengthen our team and honor our unique experiences and backgrounds.
Build Connections
Serve as an intermediary between people and resources, building meaningful, trusted connections between each other and our partners.
Value Every Voice
Include, welcome, and collaborate with all perspectives to inform and strengthen our work.
Find Bold Solutions
Use research and on-the-ground experience to continually improve our work to be more impactful.
Work with Intention
Intentionally find joy and optimism in every day, despite the hard truths and barriers that we work to change.
Our Strategic Priorities
In 2022, we realigned our goals with a greater focus on racial equity.
Here’s what that looks like through each lens of our work.
FOR OURSELVES:
Internally strengthen CJC’s ability to advance racial equity.
Create an anti-racist workforce development framework.
Advance CJC's racial equity commitment in internal structures and processes.
Establish a sustainable growth plan.
FOR POLICY & ADVOCACY:
Advocate for policies that reduce racial disparities to improve economic outcomes for job seekers marginalized by systemic barriers.
Secure funding for workforce development systems and strategies.
Reduce transportation and criminal justice barriers that keep people out of work and in poverty.
Utilize advocacy tools to inform and educate the workforce development ecosystem.
Engage and mobilize service providers, community organizations, and job seekers to amplify our shared agenda.
FOR THE FIELD:
Build the capacity of service providers and build equitable systems for job seekers marginalized by racism.
Advance equitable, person-centered approaches to delivering workforce services.
Support organizations to advance anti-racist program design, service delivery and client engagement.
Expand CJC’s capacity-building efforts in Illinois and its presence nationally.
Celebrating 40 Years
Take a look at the growth, achievements, and memories of our organization throughout the past four decades.
Annual Reports Archive
A look at our annual reports through the years.
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The View From The Bridge Learning From Our Past & Co-Creating The Future
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Ideas and Action From the Community, For the Community
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Ideas and Action From the Community, For the Community
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Ideas and Action From the Community, For the Community
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Ideas and Action From the Community, For the Community
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Ideas and Action From the Community, For the Community
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Ideas and Action From the Community, For the Community
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Giving Voice, Sharing Stories, Speaking Out
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Re-Connect, Re-Build, Re-Invigorate
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Unifying Voices for 30 Years
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Mobilizing…Individuals, Organizations, Communities…For Change
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Charting a New Course: Navigating through Troubled Waters
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Inspiring Change, Enriching Lives
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From Every Angle