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TO DISRUPT HOMELESSNESS WITH DIGNITY
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HOW WE DO IT
1. DIGNIFIED LIVING
We create space to live, eat, rest and grow in a community setting. We provide affordable housing, basic grocery, transit and professional needs. Cultivating a proud place to call home until graduated.
2. HOLISTIC HEALTH
We know success comes from the health within. We set goals together to achieve better physical health. Partnered with mental and emotional counseling services, we focus on well-rounded well-being.
3. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
We help create marketable resumes, provide professional attire, build soft & hard skills, grow financial literacy and build measurable goals towards self-sustainability.
"You can always come out above your situation. You are not what you think your situation might dictate."
Jeff
Chris
“I wouldn’t say the Collective is temporary housing. I’d say it’s people that are taking you in as their own; like family. Even though you might not have been in there for very long, you feel like you’re a part of something. You feel like you’re family.”
George
“The Collective helped me be independent. I had been depending on other people’s money and physically just using my own body as collateral. Now I’m able to love myself more. I’m able to hold dear the things that are precious to me and I’m able to value life more than I did before.” ​
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THE BIG PICTURE
Since we opened our doors in November of 2018,
we have realized the need for an inspiring environment to propel movement. We come alongside young men affected by poverty and build skills and the confidence to get good jobs. In doing so, we help unlock something deeper; the ability to break out of the effects of poverty, namely hopelessness. We are not just about jobs or dignified housing – we are about restoring hope through the power of community. "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
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AVG. DAYS TO GAIN EMPLOYMENT
1,280
AVG SAVED BY RESIDENT PER MONTH
15
GUYS HOUSED & EMPLOYED
SINCE 2019
CHECKS CAN BE MADE PAYABLE TO: Collective Chicago
PO Box 408665
Chicago IL, 60640
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IT STARTS WHERE YOU LIVE
A job without stable housing makes job retention extremely difficult. We provide housing, food, attire and transit accommodations until self-sufficient.
SYNC UP WITH SOCIAL SERVICES
We work alongside 50+ Chicago partners to make sure mental health support is available for all residents.
GOAL SETTING & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Residents and staff create measurable metrics to obtain objective-driven goals each and every week. We also offer assessment tools to identify strengths and growth opportunities.
SWEAT THE DETAILS
Because mental health is connected to physical well being. Residents have access to nearby gyms, trainers who actively coach classes that inspire each resident to new levels of growth and fitness.
RAMP UP THE RESUME
Working with Collective staff to prep for interviews and get out at least 5 quality leads per day.
JOB DEV PROGRAMS
We refer residents to training programs available in Downtown and or Uptown Chicago to build job training skills if coming in with no job experience.
GET THE JOB
Collective Residents gain employment in an average of 21 days. Once employed residents begin to allocate funds between "The Big Three."
THE BIG THREE
1/3 Savings || 1/3 Spending || 1/3 Rent
Rent is capped at $400.The rest split between savings & spending.
BUILD TO TRANSITION
Residents continue to show consistency, build savings and lock in healthy habits for 6-12 months until they're poised and financially ready to move out on their own.
6 MONTHS
We see an average of 6 months to transition residents into their own apartment and be able to hold down their own work and finances.
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