Referral & Admissions

We know that we cannot solve the problems of homelessness and poverty alone, so we partner with a wide range of oraganizations to serve those in need.

The Cara Program collaborates with more than 100 community organizations to identify and enroll individuals who will benefit the most from our services.

After years of working with this population, we have established admissions criteria to best recognize those who are ready to take the necessary steps to transform their lives. Candidates must be motivated, complete a phone screening, attend a one-on-one interview, pass a drug test, and clean and sober. We train referral partners, such as Mercy Housing Lakefront, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, Haymarket Center, St. Martin de Porres and many others, to recognize suitable candidates for The Cara Program. Together, we provide wrap around services that are effective and efficient.

Click here to read a story about one of our graduates, referred to us by St. Martin de Porres.

Admissions Criteria

The following is a step-by-step overview of how to gain admission to The Cara Program:

1. Assess if you (or, for our referral partners, the individual you serve) fit(s) our admission criteria:

Homeless and/or at-risk
Drug-free
Mentally stable
Able to work (i.e. have access to stable child care, possess all appropriate identification for employment)
Motivated and able to demonstrate a desire to return to a life of self-sufficiency

2. If you (or your candidate) meet(s) the above criteria, then please have a referral faxed on your behalf (or, fax a referral) to 312-382-0268, attention: Admissions. The referral must be on the referring entity’s letterhead. Please include the name of the individual being referred as well as the contact information of the party making the referral (name, organization, and phone number).

3. Once the fax has been sent, call (or, have the candidate call) us at 312-798-3309 and select option 5.

4. The candidate will participate in a one-on-one interview with a staff member at The Cara Program and complete an application.

5. The candidate must complete and pass a drug test. An assessment of readiness will be made after the initial meetings and when the drug test results are received. Individuals who are accepted into The Cara Program will be contacted within one to two weeks of their last appointment and will be scheduled for the next available training class.

Our Referral Network

Every step of this journey relies greatly on partnerships - partnerships between staff and students, between staff and hiring partners, and between staff and community partners, whose support is critical to developing an individual's capacity to achieve real, lasting success. Our gifted and generous community partners are highlighted below.

as of 3/31/10