Building Beyond 
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Building Beyond:
Are you a youth interested in participating in Building Beyond?
Enrollment is rolling, so please contact Cleophus J. Lee for further information.
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Building Beyond:
The North Lawndale Employment Network, through its Building Beyond Young Adult Program, has served over 125 young adults. More than 30 percent of them have obtained a vocational credential, and more than 45 percent have obtained employment with such employers as O’Hare Airport, Starbucks, Collectors Trainers Institute, Pitney Bowes, K-Plus Environmental, and the Bobbie Wright Mental Health Center. There has also been a significant number of participants who have gone back to obtain their high school diploma as well as entered into college. The target population for this program are out-of-school youth who are between the ages of 19 and 21, who are low-income with substantial barriers to employment such as dropped out of high school, basic skills deficient, receives public assistance, homeless, possess a felony or misdemeanor.
In the Building Beyond Program we believe (a) everyone deserves an opportunity to enhance their skills through academic and/or vocational training, (b) everyone deserves an opportunity to make a supportive living wage (c) everyone deserves a second chance.
The mission of NLEN's Building Beyond Program is to assist young adults who are between 19 and 21 of North Lawndale and its surrounding communities in developing the necessary life, soft, and technical skills that are needed for them to advance socially, academically, and professionally. Our motto is "Developing Young Adults Today for Tomorrow's Success". Our program goals are to:
1. Assist participants in defining personal, financial, and employment goals.
2. Assist participants in removing barriers to career development/personal growth through the provision of supportive services.
3. Assist participants in obtaining Academic/Vocational training to enhance their skills
4. Improve the quality of life of all participants through gainful employment and economic advancement.
North Lawndale Employment Network's Building Beyond Program is designed to assist young adults reach their full potential so they can live successful and productive lives. This is accomplished by helping them understand and take advantage of the different options and resources that are available to them.
As students journey through Building Beyond programming they participate in Soft and Life Skills workshops, which are designed to help them develop the necessary skills that are needed to obtain employment as well as retain employment. In these workshops, students learn business etiquette, dressing for success, conflict management, conflict resolution, time management, interviewing techniques, and more. Students are also referred to various vocational and academic programs to obtain training and credentials that will increase their skill set as well as strengthen their ability to successfully obtain employment.
Student behavior and thinking are also challenged as they participate in several group life coaching sessions. These sessions are designed to help students transform their thinking to a level that will help them successfully achieve their goals. This aspect of the program brings a series of group discussions and techniques that are focused on overcoming the obstacles to obtaining employment as well as to living a successful life. These sessions also assist in the elevation in the confidence and self-esteem of Building Beyond participants along with providing a sense of accountability within each student.
To get more information about the Building Beyond progmam, contact Cleophus J. Lee, the Building Beyond Program Manager.
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