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LCLC youth have the opportunity to try equipment at the IUOE, Local 150 training facility
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Next time you're driving through highway construction, look out your window for an LCLC young adult operating a piece of heavy equipment for the IUOE, Local 150.
LCLC is excited to announce a new partnership with MAC House and IUOE, Local 150 to provide 4-6 young adults, age 18-24, with stable housing, supportive social services, and specialized IUOE, Local 150 training to operate heavy equipment. With the basic need for stable housing met, these youth will reach for the moon as they complete various trainings and apprenticeships to operate heavy equipment for the IUOE, Local 150. As they work hard to break the cycle of poverty and unemployment gripping the North Lawndale community, they will also be supported with social services that include case management, mentoring, and mental health counseling.
Untangling from the criminal justice system is a difficult process for anyone, but it is even more difficult for those who are homeless and unemployed. Housing instability and unemployment are risk factors for criminal justice system involvement and profoundly impact a young person's ability to succeed, particularly if they have to simultaneously juggle conditions of probation or parole.
LCLC, MAC House, and IUOE, Local 150 intend to do something about this.
MAC House provides safe housing for individuals and families, so that with guidance and support, they can flourish. Under the directorship of Maggie Connelly, MAC House has provided nearly 40,000 safe nights for individuals in their homes. MAC House founder Jack Connelly says, "We are very excited to partner with Lawndale Christian Legal Center and work with Lawndale youth seeking apprenticeships in the union trades. LCLC's reputation for representing those in greatest need, with great competence and care, is well established."
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IUOE, Local 150 staff and trainers with LCLC youth and staff
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IUOE, Local 150 is a robust union with 23,000 members and an "earn while you learn" apprenticeship program that pays members to work while they advance from apprentice to journeyman operating engineer. A 300-plus acre training facility located in Wilmington, IL, boasts 342,000 square feet of space housing an indoor training area, almost 200 pieces of heavy equipment, 30 classrooms, construction material testing lab, state of the art welding facility, equipment simulator lab, a 200-seat auditorium, and much more.
This year, LCLC completed a three-year Strategic Plan that identified Workforce Development as the organization's highest priority. LCLC Executive Director and Lead Attorney, Cliff Nellis, noted, "We have seen poverty and a lack of job skills confine too many of our families to low wage jobs, forcing them to choose between legal and illegal forms of income to pay for housing, food, and other material needs." Developing hard-skills in trades such as welding, electrical work, and pipe fitting will help LCLC youth get into the IUOE, Local 150's apprenticeship program to become journeymen operating engineers.
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Working Committee members (from left): Row 1: Maggie Connelly, Misty Brown, Bob Dougherty. Row 2: Jack Connelly, Daniel Nelson, Marc Poulos, Cliff Nellis, Danae Kovac. Not pictured: Rebecca Clark.
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LCLC is extremely grateful to an incredible committee of industry experts that are advising this program development. Working Committee members include Misty Brown, Safer Foundation; Bob Dougherty, formerly of St. Leonard's Ministries; Daniel Nelson, Mercy Home; Marc Poulos, IUOE, Local 150; MAC House staff; and LCLC staff.
Currently LCLC is investigating potential properties in North Lawndale and anticipates purchasing a building this summer. LCLC is also raising funds to hire a program director. For more information on how you can support this program, please contact Cliff Nellis at [email protected].
And don't forget, the next time you are driving through highway construction, wave at an LCLC young adult operating a piece of heavy equipment for the IUOE, Local 150. |
