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Monthly Archives

June 2025

Andrea Tovar
In Chicago, Success Stories

Christopher D. – Success Story

Before Christopher joined Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC), his life was a mix of creativity and frustration. With a BFA in Illustration, art was always at the heart of his identity. He worked as an apparel designer and later as a product development designer, cleaning up digital art files for overseas production.

He also poured his passion into freelance projects, painting basketball courts and collaborating with friends, but something vital was missing. “I never felt fulfilled,” Christopher reflects. “Since the day I started that job, I was applying for other roles, chasing that feeling I had back in art school. I felt stuck. I was comfortable, and once you’re comfortable, you stop growing.”

”Adrian, my instructor, gives constructive feedback that helps me keep growing. He reminds me I can do this

ChristopherJARC Chicago, Welding Trainee

Determined to find new purpose, Christopher searched for free welding programs near him and found JARC. What began as a simple Google search turned into a pivotal life decision. “Welding felt like a whole different animal, but at the same time, it has similarities to art,” he says. Since enrolling in JARC’s Welding Program at the Austin location in February, Christopher has embraced the structure, intensity, and community that comes with it. He’s working toward his certification and admits that it hasn’t all been easy.

Christopher also highlights the support JARC provides beyond technical training. He receives transportation assistance and participates in weekly financial coaching with Britt. “She teaches us about financial literacy and the options we didn’t even know we had,” he explains. So far, Christopher has completed 5 employment coaching sessions and 6 financial coaching sessions and has also received income support. He’s attended two additional workshops on investing and digital literacy, resources that are helping him build a stronger foundation for his future.

While still training, Christopher recently found joy in winning JARC’s T-shirt design Contest. “I have some experience with graphic design because I went to school for it… I always liked the JARC website, so I was excited to get the opportunity to work on my design”, he shares.

As for what’s next, Christopher dreams of homeownership and financial independence. “[My goals] are very simple,” he admits, “but they feel impossible to achieve at the moment.” Still, he remains focused: “I’m hoping to become a homeowner, have things for myself, live comfortably, gain a little financial freedom, just build something for myself.” At JARC, Christopher has found not just a new skill, but a path forward. And as he continues to weld, design, and grow, one thing is clear: his story is just getting started.

Want to support our mission and get a great T-shirt? Click here to purchase a Chris T-shirt!

Every shirt sold helps us provide free training and wraparound support services for people like Grace, ensuring that hardworking individuals don’t have to live in poverty.

This initiative is proudly organized by JARC’s Associate Board.

Andrea Tovar
In Chicago, Success Stories

Pearl – Success Story

When Pearl first heard about Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC), it wasn’t through a flyer or a website, it was a personal visit. “Somebody came from over there to my job,” she recalls. At the time, Pearl was working at Boye Needle Company near Montrose and Ravenswood. Back in the late ‘80s or early ‘90s, Pearl and a few coworkers attended a computer introduction class at JARC.

“We had Microsoft Word Core 2000, Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, JARC showed us how to do a lot of stuff.” When her job later moved operations to Massachusetts, Pearl relocated temporarily. But when she returned to Chicago in 2003, she found JARC still standing and still teaching. She didn’t hesitate to dive back in.

”JARC is the best place to go, and it’s free. You can learn for free.

PearlJARC Chicago, CNC Graduate

In 2003, Pearl enrolled in JARC’s Computer Numerical Control (CNC) program. Her passion for learning didn’t stop there, she went on to take additional classes in Access, Internet and Outlook, as well as intermediate Word and Excel by 2007. “They had a good graduation for us,” she recalled. “They gave us those little papers and everything. It was nice. I loved it.”

Though she’s now retired, the skills Pearl gained at JARC opened doors for her throughout her career. She held roles in warehouses, assembly lines, and CNC jobs, and even landed a position at Walgreens. “I wasn’t qualified with the computer before,” she said, “but it helped me with the machines they had”. Before long, Pearl found herself training others. “I was like, wow, I’m training people!”

In 2025, she entered the organization’s T-shirt design contest and won. Her entry captured the full scope of JARC’s impact.

“I tried to put everything that I knew that JARC did. My niece helped me put the design on the shirt. I was looking at pictures of people working on computers and machines, it was so helpful.”

When asked to sum up what JARC has meant to her, Pearl doesn’t hesitate: “JARC is the best place to go, and it’s free. You can learn for free.” She continues to advocate for young people to take advantage of the opportunity: “I tell them to go, especially young people. If they’re looking for a job, it helps.”

Pearl’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and the power of accessible education. From mastering CNC machines to designing winning T-shirts, she exemplifies the spirit of lifelong learning that JARC fosters in every trainee who walks through its doors.

Want to support our mission and get a great T-shirt? Click here to purchase a Pearl T-shirt!

Every shirt sold helps us provide free training and wraparound support services for people like Grace, ensuring that hardworking individuals don’t have to live in poverty.

This initiative is proudly organized by JARC’s Associate Board.

Andrea Tovar
In Chicago, Success Stories

Grace – Success Story

Before Grace discovered Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC), she had spent years working in warehouses in Portland, Oregon. She didn’t mind the work, but she felt stuck. “There just wasn’t a lot of mobility,” she said. When she relocated to Chicago, she made herself a promise: no more jobs without a pathway forward. She was ready to level up.

That promise led her to JARC’s CNC machining program, something she hadn’t even heard of before. “Once I learned what CNC machining was, I thought, this seems great. There are so many directions you can take it in.”

Walking into JARC, Grace found more than just a new career path. She found a community of encouragement and practical tools that helped her thrive. “Everyone is just so welcoming right away. Start to finish, it’s a lot of great people and so much support. It’s really unlike anything I’ve been a part of before.”

”“They [JARC] really think outside the box and meet people where they’re at”

GraceJARC Chicago, CNC Graduate

The road wasn’t without challenges. But JARC met them head-on, providing critical support services like transportation assistance, new work boots, and prescription safety glasses. “They really think outside the box and meet people where they’re at,” Grace shared. That kind of support made it possible for her to focus on building real skills. While in training, Grace received personalized support to help her succeed beyond the classroom. She had 9 one-on-one employment coaching sessions and attended 16 workshops on budgeting, digital literacy, and financial management. She also took part in 3 sessions focused on income support and financial coaching, giving her the tools to plan for a more stable future.

Grace earned three industry-recognized certifications, gained hands-on experience with machining equipment, and even won JARC’s T-shirt fundraising contest with a custom design she created using 3D software. “It was a cool opportunity to learn something new.”

Today, Grace is proudly stepping into a full-time role as an Associate Machinist at Woodward, MPC, earning $21 an hour, and walking confidently into a future she once couldn’t imagine.

JARC staff were right there with her, even accompanying her on a tour of the company where she now works. That support gave her the confidence and connection she needed to make a strong impression. “I definitely couldn’t have done that without JARC,” she said. “If I can do it, anyone can do it.”

Her message to others? “Just try it. You’ll probably end up surprising yourself with what you’re capable of.”

Want to support our mission and get a great T-shirt? Click here to purchase a Grace T-shirt!

Every shirt sold helps us provide free training and wraparound support services for people like Grace, ensuring that hardworking individuals don’t have to live in poverty.

This initiative is proudly organized by JARC’s Associate Board.

Andrea Tovar
In Employer Partners, Partnerships, Rhode Island, Success Stories

How JARC Partnered With Omniseal Solutions To Build a Future-Ready Workforce

Background

Omniseal Solutions’ Bristol, Rhode Island facility experienced a significant resurgence between 2021 and 2023, tripling both production and headcount. With operations focused on performance plastics and precision components for space and aviation, the engineering and manufacturing company needed a fast and reliable way to build a skilled workforce. This became especially urgent after business that had previously been sent overseas was brought back to the site.

Polaris MEP, the Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Partnership, facilitated a connection between Omniseal Solutions and the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC). JARC Rhode Island, established in 2022, had already built a reputation for designing and delivering high-impact career path training for job seekers in CNC machining and welding. JARC has been delivering high quality, employer informed manufacturing skills training in Chicago and Baltimore since 1985 and 2015, respectively.

In addition to training targeted to job seekers, JARC delivers firm-side training utilizing a customized approach built around employer needs, with the goal of upskilling workers and supporting employers to create career mobility opportunities for their workers.

”“Working with JARC to design custom training solutions for our evolving business needs has been simple and effective.”

Sebastian MooreOmniseal HR Manager

”“This investment in our employees drives higher performance and retention, leading to stronger business outcomes.”

Sebastian MooreOmniseal HR Manager

Challenge

Omniseal Solutions’ Bristol site required talent with highly specific skills. A previous partnership with a local community college had not aligned with the company’s day-to-day operational needs. They needed a training model that was flexible, employer-led, and capable of producing consistent results across both technical and non-machine-facing roles.

The facility’s involvement with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) further narrowed hiring and training options, adding another layer of complexity. With rapid growth and new business coming in, the company had to ensure that new employees were not just hired quickly but also equipped with the right skills and knowledge to contribute immediately.

Solution

Through a connection facilitated by Polaris MEP, Omniseal Solutions’ Bristol site and JARC Rhode Island met to discuss training needs.

To ensure the training would meet Omniseal Solutions’ specific operational needs, JARC staff, including Guy Loudon and John Tebow, worked closely with the company to design the curriculum. This included conducting preliminary worker assessments and employee surveys to tailor the training content. Regular meetings between JARC and Omniseal Solutions’ Bristol leadership helped fine-tune course materials and align the program with the skills required on the plant floor.

Unlike off-the-shelf programs, JARC built a solution in direct collaboration with Omniseal Solutions; it was designed to align with the company’s specific training requirements and hiring goals. The program supported both new hires and incumbent workers and connected to the company’s internal second chance hiring initiative. Together, the partners created a pipeline of talent that matched the demands of the work while offering meaningful career pathways.

According to Moore, JARC brought something different to the table. He noted that “they really do honor those partnerships. They do a good job of keeping us all informed and involved, and I know I have a sounding board with this team.”

Results

The partnership has helped Omniseal Solutions scale its workforce responsibly and with confidence. Dozens of employees have completed JARC-supported training, creating a stronger, more consistent baseline of technical knowledge across the workforce. Moore explained that “our employees definitely all have a similar baseline level of knowledge, which is critical. It gives us a starting point to jump off from.”

To date, 65 Omniseal Solutions’ employees have successfully completed JARC’s training. These customized training courses included:

  • Manufacturing Skills 1 (MS1), a course focused on shop math, print reading, and metrology
  • Manufacturing Skills 2 (MS2), which covers advanced print reading—including section, assembly, and metric drawings—metrology with surface plates and advanced gauges, useful machinists’ formulae and trigonometry, as well as an introduction to GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and SPC (Statistical Process Control)
  • Mold Makers Quality Assurance
  • Lathe Set-up, Operator, and Safety

Another success of the program was that 9 employees received raises or promotions after completing JARC classes. Managers have gained more confidence in their teams, while employees are advancing into more complex roles faster. One graduate of JARC’s CNC Fast Track program joined as a new hire machinist and within 18 months was operating some of the facility’s most advanced machines.

Moore described it as “incredibly rewarding to watch his trajectory,” and noted that the employee continues to pursue additional training through JARC.

The success of the partnership offers a model for other manufacturers looking to address talent gaps. Moore believes that as technology and AI accelerate changes on the factory floor, partnerships like this will only become more important: “Creating and advancing partnerships with workforce development agencies is a business imperative.”

When asked what he would say to another company considering a similar partnership, his advice was simple: “Stop thinking and do it. Just have the conversation.”

Andrea Tovar
In What´s New

Essential Emotional Support & Crisis Hotlines You Should Know

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or a crisis, you’re not alone—support is available. Below are free and confidential resources you can turn to for help, including text lines, hotlines, and specialized support services:

 

Call4Calm – FREE emotional support text line
Text “TALK” to 552020 or “HABLAR” for service in Spanish

Additional Crisis Support Resources:

  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-TALK (8255)

  • Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741

  • Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance Hotline: 800-826-3632

  • National Drug & Alcohol Treatment Hotline (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

  • TrevorLifeline (LGBTQ Crisis Hotline): 1-866-488-7386

  • Trans Crisis Hotline: 877-565-8860