A PROCESS OF DISCOVERY
These young men are interested in finding their passions and careers, not just jobs. They want to reach their potential.
The first step is figuring out what that passion is. Through tours and site visits, guest speakers, hands-on training, and paid internships, CRED helps men discover the path they want to pursue.
Long term success.
Our mentors work with them to set goals based on their individual needs and strengths, and then create action plans to achieve them. When placed in a permanent job, the work isn’t finished. All CRED grads get a year of ongoing life coaching after they launch into employment.
“It’s been a blessing to have the CRED men work with us. They’ve demonstrated such spirit and hard work. I’m proud that we could help them get back on their feet and offer them professional experience to move forward.”
— Mike Boonstra, General Manager, Pullman Sugar
TRAINING FOR A BETTER LIFE
When our men transition into full-time jobs, we continue to collaborate with them on two priority areas: soft skills, like time management, teamwork, and workplace professionalism; and industry-specific hard skills. Both help young men turn a first job into a career.
“I was looking for a job and they provided me with the opportunity to learn a trade.”
— Demetrius
BRIDGING THE GAP
CRED graduates are working for leading Chicago companies that embrace our mission that men can be transformed and become valued, productive employees.
“Without this job, I would have still found a way but it would have been a longer process without CRED. They gave me a boost.”
— Derrick
REBUILDING OUR MEN,
REBUILDING OUR ECONOMY
The West and South sides of Chicago have suffered from chronic disinvestment over the last four decades.
CREDMADE was created to jump start the local economy in these neglected neighborhoods.
CREDMADE, established in 2019, is a public benefit corporation aimed at creating real economic opportunities for Chicago’s highest-risk youth.
Its innovative culture provides local employers with a new model for growing young talent, and a structured path for men transitioning into the legal economy.
Its first endeavor focuses on food manufacturing: an industry that offers skilled jobs and the potential for high wages and that is in dire need of more qualified workers in Chicago.
