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Kenwood Oakland Community Organization will provide the Bronzeville Nia Project that will target the predominately Black and underserved and under-resourced south side Chicago communities of Bronzeville, Kenwood, and Oakland. During the first year of the program, the Bronzeville Nia Project expects to serve 25 disadvantaged Black young females and males, ages 14 – 24. The program will implement a youth driven, community-based workforce readiness and entrepreneurial education initiative

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PA 102-0698, FY’23 Legislative Add On Grant; Illinois General Assembly - Public Act 103-0006 (ilga.gov) FY24 Legislative Add On Grant

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The Bronzeville Nia Project will consist of four phases: Phase 1: Needs Assessment and Support - A trained KOCO Mentor will build the trust-based relationship with each project participant to: • Conduct a needs assessment, when appropriate in partnership with a licensed counselor or therapist to develop an actionable individualized need and support plan to address identified barriers/challenges to entering the workforce or starting a business. • Provide weekly individualized support in navigating social-emotional, family, and other identified challenges during, throughout and after employment and/or the business development process. • Meet basic needs required for employment such as securing a social security card, identifying transportation to and from work, obtaining bus/train cards. • Connect to wraparound services like substance abuse counseling and mental health counseling. Phase 2: Skill Building – Delivered over an intensive six-week period, trained KOCO project staff will help project participants: • Build communication and social skills. • In partnership with technology and trade professionals, gain exposure to in demand technology and trade careers. • Understand and practice workplace culture. • Hone problem-solving and interpersonal skills. • Build a winning resume and practice interviewing. • Become effective in using job search sites like Indeed and Monster and professional networks like LinkedIn. • Learn the specific skills to become an entrepreneur. Phase 3: Career and Entrepreneurial Experience - Delivered over a two-to-six-month period, provides youth learning opportunities to apply the information gathered in Phase 2 to gain early work experience in their selected career field through paid internships, career shadowing; and obtain entrepreneurial information/education through connections with Black entrepreneurs and Black small businesses. Project participants will choose from the variety of on-the-job learning opportunities offered by the project’s technology, trade, and entrepreneurial partners. If interested and available, project participants may select more than one on-the-job learning opportunity. Phase 4: Pursuing Pathways – With ongoing support and encouragement from the project staff, project participants will use the newly acquired knowledge, skills, and tools gain to land and be successful in job interviews, develop successful business plans, or enter college or a vocational training program (e.g., City College). Project staff will provide ongoing and continued support, mentoring, connections to social/business networks, wraparound resources, and encouragement for a long as the participant requires it. The primary deliverable is the successful implementation of the Bronzeville Nia Project that will fill the gap for accessible supportive services, resources, and connections to overcome the multiple and systemic barriers that disadvantaged Black youth and young adults encounter as they explore their potential in employment and entrepreneurship.

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Nonprofit Organizations; Government Organizations;

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Project Grants

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FY 2023 : $700,000
FY 2024 : $777,289