WHAT'S NEW THIS SUMMER 2021 |
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Dear Colleagues, Members, Supporters and Friends,
Welcome to our Summer Edition! While we keep an eye on COVID-19 and the national battle for democracy, we are focused on the needs of our youth on the west and southland areas of Chicago and the opportunities for collaboration towards building up our communities with employers, legislators, civic leaders and community-based allies.
We are unique in our approach to community development. Below find teasers to bigger stories about our leaders like Doug Gamble, Career Pathway activities, services and success stories, a major thought piece by Dan Swinney describing this new paradigm for development that MR's work represents, the latest on our work through the Chicagoland Manufacturing Renaissance Council (CMRC) shaping federal policy, and more interesting reads!
And did I mention we're hiring?! We are looking for two dynamic individuals to join our team as Development Director and Assistant Program Director to help lead our Young Manufacturers Association. Please share with anyone who may be interested!
Most importantly, Join us! As an individual, employer, community partner, civic leader, labor ally, we need your support to expand our impact and there are lots of ways to get more involved: learn more through our website, follow us on social media, become a member and join the CMRC, and donate to Manufacturing Renaissance today. Thank you for your interest and support!
Erica Swinney Staley
Executive Director
773-278-5418 x20
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PROFILE: MR's LONGEST SERVING BOARD MEMBER
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For several decades, Doug Gamble focused on the continuing challenge of fighting plant closings as a key way to save jobs, communities, and manufacturing companies. Now, he is also part of Manufacturing Renaissance’s growing efforts to help forge a strong and equitable industrial policy on a national scale. Through thick and thin, Gamble has had MR's back and is our leadership's go-to for advice and insight. Read this profile about what drives his work and leadership in the work to expand equitable industrial policy.
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ADVANCED MANUFACTURING. ENGINEERING. STEM EDUCATION. NASA! |
For many young students, these topics are full of exciting possibilities – but they need opportunities where they can learn about them. Young participants in Manufacturing Connect had a chance to do just that on May 13 in a virtual field trip presented by NASA and the University of Texas at El Paso, which partners with the agency. Hundreds of students around the country attended the event. After the event, some of our youth shared comments with us: “One of the best parts of hearing from NASA is they told us what it was like working there and we got to hear the speaker’s own stories” Read more here.
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Young Adults! Paid Online Training Starts Soon! |
Interviews are underway for our next Young Manufacturers Association (YMA) Manufacturing Training Program scheduled to start August 2nd, a 10 week paid online training for young adults (aged 18-29). We are holding seats for residents living in Austin (Chicago's west side) and in the south suburbs of Chicago.
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SUCCESS STORY: ISAIAH, FUTURE FABRICATOR |
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Photo of Mieka Matthews, Manufacturing Connect (MC) Coordinator and Isaiah McMullen, MC Participant at his high school graduation, June 2021.
It started with an opportunity. When Isaiah was a student at the Academy of Scholastic Achievement, a public alternative school on Chicago’s west side, he was interested in welding and manufacturing. A school counselor referred him to Manufacturing Connect, MR’s Career Pathways program that prepares and supports in-school youth, ages 14-18, for careers in manufacturing. Now, he is working part-time, transitioning into full-time, for Marco Lighting Components, a locally-run custom sheet metal fabricator on the west side. He started his job with the company in packaging and shipping, and is currently training in manufacturing skills at the company. His supervisors are giving him high praise and are eager to get him to full-time as business picks up and want to see him start to work in welding at the company. “ They were great teachers,” he says of MR staff he worked with in the Manufacturing Connect program. “ And this program helped me get a job right away.” Read more here.
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In recent months, Manufacturing Renaissance (MR) and many partners have come together to advocate for a stronger and more equitable industrial policy in this country. Now, a new report shares what MR has learned and how those lessons learned informs our push for how the manufacturing sector in this country can be transformed into a tool for sustainable development.
The result is a foundational document: a blueprint for industrial policy that shows how manufacturing can play a key role in the nation’s future. Towards a New Paradigm of Development, which was written by Dan Swinney, Founder of Manufacturing Renaissance, sets forth the organization’s theory of change. It’s based on a clear purpose: Production should be driven by the objective of creating a society that is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable and restorative.
“We advocate for manufacturing development on a national scale that is both realistic and visionary,” says Swinney. “Now is the time to embrace it. More than ever, there is growing momentum for change.”
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Faith leaders and manufacturers are partnering in ways that create economic opportunities and have great potential to benefit communities in the future, according to a recently released report by the Urban Manufacturing Alliance (UMA).
“Change happens with the acts of people who believe and are committed...and rely on faith and spirit,” said David Robinson, Director of External Affairs at MR, during a recent webinar about the report. “We are in a moment where we can really make some change.” Read more here.
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CHICAGOLAND MANUFACTURING
RENAISSANCE COUNCIL (CMRC)
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CMRC Hosts Reps. Davis and Schakowsky in Panel and Discussion on Manufacturing Policy
On June 21, the CMRC Leadership Committee welcomed Reps Schakowsky and Davis, TMA's Steve Rauschenberger, The Century Foundation's Andrew Stettner and Rev. Timothy Wright, former Economic Development Commissioner for the City of Chicago to discuss current policy opportunities for supporting the expansion of manufacturing and related programs in the Chicagoland area.
Rep. Schakowsky announced her plans to introduce legislation, “ What we are talking about is a bottom-up strategy for building on manufacturing needs,” Schakowsky said at the event. The strategy will focus on equity and inclusion. A key component, she said, will be a national Manufacturing Renaissance Corporation that will create manufacturing councils across the country and provide financial support, technical assistance, and training for manufacturing revival efforts. The corporation’s goals will include increasing manufacturing’s share in the gross national product; reducing greenhouse emissions; identifying skills gaps, and assisting small companies in finding talent including new owners. Read more here. Read more about the legislation and endorse today! Join the CMRC today!
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Congratulations CMRC Member, Jim Piper, President of Matot, Inc., on your appointment to the CMRC Leadership Committee! Thank you for you willingness to step up and help shape the CMRC's agenda and expand our reach. We look forward to working with you! |
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Independent Voters of Illinois and Independent Precinct Organization |
The growing focus on the connection between manufacturing and urgent environmental issues was a key topic at The Green Town Hall, a virtual event held on May 10 by IVI-IPO (the Independent Voters of Illinois and Independent Precinct Organization). Panelists agreed that there is currently a great opportunity to address environmental issues in an equitable way and build partnerships to make that happen. Read more here.
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Rest in Peace, Rest in Power |
We mourn the untimely passing of former Mayor of Harvey, mentor, educator and change agent David N. Johnson. Mr. Johnson shared our belief that manufacturing is one of the most effective tools to drive economic and job growth. He brought that passion and understanding of what it takes to build sustainable communities. MR and the CMRC will be forever grateful for his wisdom and steady leadership on the issues that mattered to him and that we continue to work for. Read more here.
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Cook County
Early Warning Network
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Initiated in 2020 to help small and mid-sized manufacturers in Cook County that are facing financial distress because of COVID-19. The program, funded by the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development in partnership with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, is working under a grant extension until September 2021. Since March, the Early Warning Network team has outreached to 905 companies with 42 companies who have expressed interest and are in process of being qualified for our services. Contact Selene Diaz for more information.
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WORTH A READ + WATCH + LISTEN |
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On June 24, The Century Foundation and the Urban Manufacturing Alliance hosted a day-long conference to discuss the central role that a progressive trade and manufacturing policy can have in advancing racial justice issues and creating a sustainable and equitable economy. Check out this video from Closing Keynote Speaker: Darrick Hamilton, university professor, Henry Cohen Professor of Economics and Urban Policy.
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THANK YOU TO OUR RECENT FUNDERS |
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Grant Award Recipient supporting MR's Career Pathways Services training, placements and supports for youth and young adults. |
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Grant Award Recipient supporting MR's Career Pathways Services training, placements and supports for youth and young adults. |
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In-School Youth Delegate Agency Contract Renewal to provide manufacturing training and job placements for in-school youth from Cook County. |
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If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved, click here. |
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