About SWEC
Lead by the Southwest Organizing Project, SWEC is comprised of Richard J. Daley Community College, Greater Southwest Development Corporation, Metropolitan Family Services, PODER, and Youth Jobs Center.
Our mission is to connect job seekers to employment opportunities. SWEC uses a workforce development model that decreases barriers to sustained employment and produces a skilled Southwest Chicago workforce through targeted training programs. These training programs are informed by the community and employer partners who are committed to the programs and participants.
Quality Training
Each SWEC member has developed its own unique training and job placement model. Our expertise and collective power provide residents on the Southwest side of Chicago with high-quality job readiness training and career pathway program opportunities.
Our programs include:
PODER’s Latino in Finance training prepares individuals for bank teller and other entry-level careers in the financial services sector. Students learn bank compliance regulations, money handling basics, and other essential financial services sector skills.
Youth Job Center (YJC) is a leading youth workforce development agency in Cook County, annually providing job training and placement, financial literacy training, personalized career advising, work-based learning programs, retention and career advancement supports, as well as wraparound emotional-social services to thousands of young people in Chicago, Evanston, and greater Cook County, IL.
Daley College Advanced Manufacturing where students learn computer-aided design, CNC programming, 3-D printing, fundamentals of robotics, electricity, and electronics in a state-of-the-art computer lab.
Metropolitan Family Services Midway (MFS) through their Financial Opportunity Center delivers core services of career improvement and employment placement, financial literacy, and public benefits access to family across the Southwest Side of Chicago. MFS also has programs designed for individuals ages 16-21 that include employment, education, supportive services and specialized training projects such as culinary arts.
Wrap-Around Services
Southwest System of Care (SWSOC)
The Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) organized a Southwest System of Care Network. SWOP has brought together a broad base of healthcare and social service providers to meet the holistic needs of young people and their families. All SWEC participants have access to these local supports and services. Services range from adult enrichment, citizenship and immigration, dental care, youth leadership, legal assistance, material needs, housing assistance, public benefits, and more.
Business
Services
Greater Southwest Development Corporation (GSDC) focuses on attracting newly opened or new-to-the area businesses, as well as retaining and expanding existing commercial or manufacturing businesses on Chicago’s southwest side. The area is home to small businesses as well as major employers, such as Meade Electric and Dart, all of which support household income and form a solid foundation for economic growth. Read about how we not only provide capital, but also offer support to help Chicagoland small businesses grow.