Creating Real Opportunities through Quality Employment

The Cara Program develops employment opportunities that meet the personal, financial, and professional needs of our students (program participants) and that have opportunities for advancement.  Rather than finding 'just any job' for our students, The Cara Program commits to working with companies that offer a competitive combination of wages and benefits.  We have formal standards in place for evaluating what qualifies as a 'quality job' (where quality is measured by exceeding a certain number of guaranteed hours worked, wage, availability of benefits  and permanency in the position). As a result, our employed students' current average starting wage is $11.09/ hour at an average of 39 hours/ week. 

We partner with companies that find real value in working with The Cara Program to fill their entry-level positions.  Companies typically tell us that Cara students are, on the whole, more motivated and more prepared for their entry-level positions than are non-Cara candidates.  

Every student that participates in The Cara Program is guaranteed a quality, permanent job, provided that they complete the necessary trainings, actively participate in their job search and act professionally.  Top employers in 2009 have included The Habitat Company, ABM Lakeside, Chicago Transit Authority and Terrace Paper Company.  And, top industries this past year have included facilities management, manufacturing, transportation, non-profit and health care.