The People Behind the Mission
Every organization is proud of those within it - for the sense of purpose they bring, the unique signature they provide, and the life they breathe into an already thriving mission. We are no exception to this rule. From our CEO who has shaped this mission for the last 14 years, to our newest employee for whom their first 'Motivations' was during a rigorous and intensive interview process, we each are 'cara' (the Gaelic word for friend and the namesake of our parent organization, The Cara Program). We dance our values so we don't forget them, we push each other into the circle at 'Motivations' so we remain true to our mission, and we affirm each others' contributions in a way that's uniquely powerful and fun. We do this because we believe deeply in what we do and to what we aspire. And because we kind of like each other, too!
We are not an every day ordinary group of people, because this work is neither every day, nor ordinary. In fact, on staff we have former bankers and IT directors, one doctor in clinical psychology, several MBAs, educators, former students of The Cara Program, and folks whose educational backgrounds are a mix of international relations, communications, business administration, career coaching and beyond. We are a hybrid of smart, passionate people with one unifying goal: to work creatively and fervently towards the alleviation of poverty.
The following is a list of who's on our team:
Our Supporters and Customers
- Engineered Glass Products
- Armitage Baptist Church
- Calumet Area Industrial Commission
- Ravenswood Community Council
- Skilken
- Six Corners Association
- River North Businesses
- Various Private Groupon Customers
- 180° Property Services
- John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County
- Illinois Medical District Guest House
- Little Village Chamber of Commerce
- Illinois Medical District
- Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives
- SSA #32, Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation
- SSA #42, South Shore Chamber Inc.
- SSA #29, West Town Chamber of Commerce
- SSA #33, Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce
- SSA #35, Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce
- SSA #34, Uptown United
- Department of General Services – City of Chicago
- Deborah’s Place
- The Admiral at the Lake
- The Community Builders
- The Habitat Company
- Big Buzz Entertainment Group – Chicago RibFest
- 57th St. Children’s Book Fair
- Pitchfork Music Festival