The Cara Program empowers individuals affected by homelessness and poverty with the skills, confidence and resources to secure permanent employment and achieve real and lasting success.  Since 1991, we have placed more than 3,250 individuals into full-time, quality jobs with leading Chicago area companies, including several in the Fortune 500.  These jobs pay an average wage of $10.80/hour, with benefits (almost $3 higher than IL minimum wage), and at least 75% of our participant remain employed in that first job for at least one year (in comparison, companies nationwide have a 49.9% employee retention rate during a 12-month period).
 
Founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom Owens in 1991, The Cara Program is a catalyst for true change and real, lasting success in our students lives. (Cara students are women and men affected by homelessness and poverty. The Cara Program employs terms like “students” and “graduates” to emphasize that the individuals we serve are adult learners – not clients, not cases – looking to secure and sustain quality employment). We not only empower our students to secure jobs and create a stable home environment, but we also help them achieve their full potential as individuals and lead lives of personal and professional excellence.
 
The Cara Program is the only workforce development organization in the country that guarantees students permanent jobs, as long as they remain actively engaged in their job search and with The Cara Program.  Our philosophy is that if our students come to The Cara Program motivated and ready to work hard, we will ensure that they have access to all of the other tools that they need.  Through our comprehensive services, we provide the following:
 
Intensive life skills training,
Professional skills training (computer skills, customer satisfaction, interviewing skills),
At least one interview-ready, professional suit,
Transitional employment through Cleanslate, for those in need of on-the job experience,
Placement into permanent, quality employment with opportunities for advancement,and
At least one of year of intensive support once a student secures a job.