On October 25, 2007, one of Greater West Town Project's clients,Leonya Pickel, was the recipient of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's (DCEO) Individual Achievement Award in Springfield, IL. Leonya was nominated for this award by her case manager, Barbara Rykaczewski, and was chosen out of dozens of nominations to represent Chicago at the Workforce Development Conference. The award recognizes individuals who have overcome great obstacles to gain self sufficiency, and Leonya's story embodies the reason why this award was created.

“This is just too much; I’ve got to do something to get myself out of this,” now 29-year-old Leonya remembers saying to herself as she was deciding what to do next. She had already been homeless in Detroit for four years due to the failing economy, and the area social service agencies didn’t give her much hope about finding a job and housing. Because she heard that the economy and social service agencies in Chicago were more promising, Leonya decided to take a risk and move to Chicago.

Leonya quickly plugged herself into social service agencies that would be able to help her get back on her feet. After being homeless in Chicago for over a year and a half, she found an agency that would help her obtain subsidized housing; she just needed to be able to pay her share of the rent. As Leonya began her job search, she saw an ad for Greater West Town Project’s Job Placement and Assistance Program. She immediately called to get more information and attended an orientation the next morning.

Leonya began working with her case manager on various job readiness skills. They discussed the importance of presenting yourself well, and they created a skill-based resume to highlight her skills. They also talked about job search and interviewing strategies, and Leonya’s case worker helped her research where she could obtain clothing for an interview. Leonya soon grew confident that she was ready, and her case manager agreed: “Leonya was driven and dedicated to find a job. She always came into GWTP with a ‘Let’s do this’ attitude, and was ready to tackle any obstacle that arose. She was determined to make a better life for herself, and GWTP was here to give her the support she needed.”

Soon after, Leonya was referred to Swissport Cargo Services, and was soon hired as a ramp cargo agent, where she loaded luggage onto planes and drove tugs around the airport. She loved the variety of the job, never knowing what she would have to load onto the plane. Her first paycheck arrived in time to pay her first month’s rent in her new apartment. “If GWTP didn’t help me get this job when they did, I don’t think I would have been able to keep the apartment,” Leonya later reflects.

When Leonya needed a little extra help, GWTP was able to provide her with bus cards to get to and from work, to ensure that she was able to keep her new job. After a few months on the job, the work grew too physically strenuous for Leonya, and she was forced to look for another job. She waited until she and her case worker found her another position to resign from Swissport, something that she would not have done in the past.

Leonya calls her case manager regularly, and keeps her updated on her job. She plans to save money up and find an apartment in the suburbs, something that she has always wanted. Leonya is very grateful for her help from GWTP: “They have not just helped me find a job, they have comforted me in my struggle to find employment and work toward my life’s goals. Without them I couldn’t have kept my apartment. They have been there through it all, and for that I am grateful.”

GWTP's mission is to develop model programs and policy initiatives linking the employment and training of the neighborhood workforce with local economic development efforts and the needs of small and mid-sized employers.

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Client Success Stories

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