Foodservice Training Program 2009

CCIL, Aramark and the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (MOWD) have found the recipe for successfully helping individuals turn their lives around - a foodservice training program for non-violent ex-felons. These nine week training classes have been stirring up excellent results helping people secure jobs in the foodservice industry.

2009 Nine Week Training Class Schedules:
February 23 - April 24, 2009
April 27 - June 26, 2009
July 6 - September 4, 2009
September 14 - November 14, 2009

Training Time: 7am - 3pm

Location: CCIL training kitchen and Classroom #2 on the second floor - 2750 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago

Facilitator/Instructor: Bob Joens, Foodservice Director

Interested candidates must first be referred to CCIL's Center for Workforce Development.

Please contact Debra Rowry at 773-435-8424 for referral information.

*Training dates and times are subject to change. Please check with us frequently for any schedule updates.

Hunger - Together We Can Fight It

“All that will matter to us someday is what we did while we were here to help those who needed us.” - Alan Shawn Feinstein

For the 12th consecutive year, Alan Shawn Feinstein is dividing $1,000,000 among hunger fighting agencies nationwide to help raise awareness and funds during March and April 2009. Visit www.feinsteinfoundation.org for more information about this remarkable grassroots effort in supporting hungry families.

Feinstein’s past $1,000,000 challenges to fight hunger have raised a record $940,000,000 for agencies nationwide. Any donation CCIL receives designated to the Feinstein Challenge qualifies our organization as being eligible for additional funding from this campaign.

Contributions can be mailed to: CCIL, 2750 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL Attention: Feinstein Challenge or visit www.ccilworks.org to donate online.

Loyal CCIL supporters know the importance of the work we’re doing to stop the ravages of homelessness and hunger. CCIL could not carry out this tall order without you. This year we plan on meeting and exceeding Mr. Feinstein’s challenge making this one of the most successful
anti-hunger campaigns ever!

Chicago Cares Celebration of Service

Each year Chicago Cares sends thousands of volunteers throughout the city to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr’s memory. This year, 17 volunteers spent their Saturday at CCIL participating in the Chicago Cares Celebration of Service.

Children in CCIL’s family program were treated to an “Around the World” multicultural fair meant to further Dr. King’s vision of a Beloved Community. The children made a craft or learned a game from seven different countries. Japanese origami and Guatemalan “worry dolls” were two of the children’s favorites.

CCIL Volunteer Coordinator Chris Wiens comments, “The kids had a wonderful time learning about different cultures. They now have a common interest with children from all over the world, whether it is origami or mancala. It’s the start we need to find a common humanity in our overseas neighbors and an important lesson for us to remember at home as well.”

KIPP Ascend Charter School donates canned goods

On Thursday, January 15, KIPP Ascend Charter School donated more than 2,000 canned goods to CCIL’s Community Food Pantry. On one of the coldest days of the year, the students bundled up to help CCIL volunteers load all of the food items. The donation will help feed at least 1,300 struggling families who receive aide from CCIL’s Community Food Pantry.

“The spirit of service demonstrated in the student’s willingness to help us load the food was inspiring. They should be proud of their efforts to help out struggling Chicago families. It was obvious they wanted to carry this project through to the end and would not be satisfied or warm until each and every canned good was put in our van,” said Chris Wiens,

CCIL Volunteer Coordinator.

About KIPP Ascend Charter School...
KIPP Ascend Charter School is a tuition-free, college preparatory middle school located on Chicago’s West Side. As a charter school, we offer a free, public education to any student, grades 5-8, who chooses to enroll.

Our mission is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and character traits necessary to succeed in top-quality high schools, universities, and have a positive impact on their communities. At KIPP Ascend, students "climb the mountain" to college!

Hope For Families

Pastor Rick Duncan and a team of thirty volunteers from Hope for Families served a Christmas meal to CCIL residents Sunday, December 21, 2008. The meal was scrumptious and consisted of salad, steak, spiraled ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese, corn bread, and cake. An energetic band from Kenosha, Wisconsin invigorated everyone with live music performances. They played a variety of Christmas tunes and opened the microphone to CCIL residents who read poetry and sang their own favorites. The children received gifts that included winter clothing, coloring books and bubbles.

“This was a special night for the residents. The kids, especially, had a wonderful time. They lead songs, played games and ended up giving a real gift of youthful happiness back to the volunteers. It was incredible to sit back and witness,” said Chris Wiens, CCIL Volunteer Coordinator.

CCIL Landscape Services Appreciation Ceremony

Under the direction of Eric Hage, managers Beau Barnett, Alex Hurd, Kris Sokol and Matt Stickels honored trainees and crew leaders at CCIL’s Annual Landscape Appreciation Ceremony Friday, December 5, 2008. Distinguished guests included CCIL board members, city officials and a variety of loyal vendors.

Thirty-three trainees received certificates for completing one year of hands-on training and 8 trainees graduated from the two-year landscape training program. Kenneth Brooks, George Brown and John Lamb were recognized as the Most Improved Groundskeepers. Gary Wetter, Carl Lee and Selester Mims were awarded Groundskeepers of the Year. Ceremony attendees enjoyed a delicious meal and were dazzled upon hearing compelling, heartfelt testimonials from two of the graduates - Geoffrey McKnight and Carl Lee.

CCIL, in partnership with the City of Chicago and ARAMARK, created a Landscape Services program more than 15 years ago. Through this on-the-job training program participants are placed in a paid work environment and are trained to do landscaping and grounds maintenance. For two consecutive seasons of eight months each, trainees are provided with technical skills and experience in grounds care, equipment use and safety standards.

Key CCIL Landscape Clients:
Chicago Department of Transportation
Chicago Department of General Services
Chicago Park District
Chicago Housing Authority
Chicago Gateway Green
Mayslake Village

CCIL Landscaping Services has become an integral part of the beautification of the city, providing maintenance services to a large portion of the downtown-area medians, sidewalk planters, malls and plazas, and numerous green spaces throughout Chicago. This program enables more than 1,000 formerly homeless men and women to gain skills and employment in landscaping and related industries.

Call Eric Hage at 773-435-8393 today for a FREE estimate on your landscaping needs.

Thanksgiving Day at CCIL

CCIL, located at 2750 W. Roosevelt, was humming with holiday activities on Thanksgiving Day as Governor Blagojevich and the First Family, Congressman Danny Davis and the Talk of Chicago’s Richard Pegue all gathered for a celebration of giving and being thankful. Volunteers served more than 400 people heaping helpings of turkey, stuffing, vegetables, rolls, pastries and beverages throughout the morning.

“We were able to provide a safe, relaxing environment and plenty of food for people who otherwise would have had absolutely nothing. It was heartwarming for me to see Governor Blagojevich and his family along with Congressman Danny Davis take time out of their busy schedules to visit with our residents and our neighbors in the North Lawndale community,” said Mary Shaver, CCIL Interim Executive Director.

The Talk of Chicago’s Richard Pegue and his crew broadcasted live during the meal while promoting a food drive sponsored by WVON 1690AM.