Chicago City Wire

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that two Chicago-based organizations, the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC) and Revolution Workshop, will receive nearly $7 million in federal funding. The funds aim to improve job quality, expand access to good jobs, and provide high-quality training opportunities for local workers. These grants, awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor, are intended to prepare Chicagoans for well-paying jobs in the city's growing infrastructure and construction sectors.

The Jane Addams Resource Corporation will receive $4.8 million through the Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program. This funding will allow JARC to expand its workforce training initiatives focused on providing hands-on skills training and support services to individuals in underserved communities. The goal is to help them secure employment in manufacturing and construction industries.

Revolution Workshop, a social enterprise offering comprehensive job training programs in carpentry and woodworking, will receive $2 million through the same grant program. This funding will help Revolution Workshop continue its mission of providing high-quality pre-apprenticeship programs and wraparound services to underrepresented individuals, including those impacted by the criminal justice system, low-income communities, and communities of color.

"Chicago is leading the way in creating pathways to economic opportunity and careers that will sustain families and communities," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "These grants will allow the Jane Addams Resource Corporation and Revolution Workshop to expand their vital work, empowering more Chicagoans to gain the skills and training they need to access good-paying jobs in growing sectors. Together, we are building a Chicago where everyone has the opportunity to succeed."

The funding for these two organizations is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader effort to support worker-focused training programs that incorporate industry and worker voices. The grants aim to enhance access to quality jobs in critical sectors such as infrastructure and construction while broadening career opportunities for youth and adults in Chicago.

The Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program awarded nearly $38 million nationwide this round to support 13 public-private partnerships across nine states. JARC and Revolution Workshop are among the key recipients, highlighting the important role Chicago organizations play in this national effort.

The grants align with the Good Jobs Principles developed by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Commerce. These principles emphasize improving job quality and accessibility across various industries. This funding supports ongoing efforts to build a robust workforce infrastructure that prepares residents for high-quality, sustainable careers.

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