Bank of America Awards $3 Million to Obama Foundation to Support Workforce Development Opportunities and Accelerate Positive Change in Chicago Communities
Summary
To support these objectives, the Foundation convened a group of industry-leading firmsthe We Can Build It Consortiumto guide its efforts to recruit, engage, train, and retain talented individuals while proactively addressing the barriers that historically have prevented women and minorities from entering the building trades.With funding from BofA, the Consortium has surpassed many of the placement and community engagement goals it set forth at its launch two years ago, including ensuring that 50 percent of the Centers construction workforce hours are performed by Chicago residents. Each partner brings its own unique core competency to the Consortium, from providing supportive resources to targeted outreach and case management, to ensuring the Centers workforce is reflective of the diversity of Chicagos South and West Side communities. "It gives me a great sense of pride to see the Obama Presidential Center start to rise from the ground knowing that our workforce initiative has made it possible for our neighbors across Chicagos South and West Sides to leave their mark on this historic monument. The Obama Presidential Center represents a historic opportunity for Chicago: a chance to build a world-class museum and public gathering space that celebrates our nations first African American President and First Lady, steps away from where he began his career, where she was raised, and wheretogetherthey made their home. Not only will the Center generate billions of dollars of economic opportunity and help reconnect and revitalize Jackson Park, it will also serve as a reminder to young visitorsfrom around the city and from around the worldthat their potential is limitless.