NLEN's New Workforce Campus Is Open!

By Brenda Palms Barber

President and CEO, North Lawndale Employment Network and Sweet Beginnings, LLC; Chair, Workforce Committee, North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

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On August 26th, NLEN hosted our Grand Open House, in partnership with Wintrust Bank The day celebrated 22 years of incredible and impactful work, and the increased potential to impact lives in our new offices and workforce campus at 1111 S. Homan Avenue. After decades of operating our programs from 4 different sites, staff was overjoyed to join hands and celebrate NLEN’s journey, alongside elected officials 24th Ward Alderman Michael Scott, Jr, Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar, City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, and US Representative Danny Davis.   

I spoke about how essential NLEN is to build long-term wealth and prosperity in North Lawndale, and guests also heard from Wintrust Bank President Doug Boersma, NLEN Board Chair Dr. Michael McAfee, and current and former program participants. Guests ate delicious barbeque and received tours of the new facility from NLEN staff, and got to try the delicious drinks and pastries at the beelove café. 

Our new facility would not be possible without the support of Wintrust Bank and every single donor to our Campaign that Works. 

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Our new campus is open! Our new campus is meant to be a hub for the community--whether that is relaxing and having a drink at the beelove café, accessing the public wifi, attending a Program Orientation to get connected to employment opportunities, or attending a workshop on financial health. For information on any of our current programs, contact NLEN Outreach and Engagement Specialist Richard Lawrence at richard@nlen.org. Our beelove café is open to the public daily, Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 4 PM.