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JARC Rhode Island

Olive Dwan
In Baltimore, Chicago, Events, Rhode Island

Support JARC and Change Lives on Giving Tuesday 2025!

On December 2nd, 2025,

Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC) is joining organizations around the world in celebrating philanthropy.

As JARC commemorates our 40 years of impact, we are striving to make this year’s campaign more successful than ever. Your support will help us reach our goal of raising $15,000 and make a meaningful difference in our trainees’ lives!  

With this year’s funding challenges, we are relying more than ever on people like you to support us!

Donate now to support JARC!Purchase JARC Merchandise!

A huge shout-out and heartfelt thank you to our incredible Leader Sponsor at Freedman Seating Company for their generous support in matching our Giving Tuesday donations!

At JARC, we ensure that those who work do not live in poverty.

We do this by offering free training for careers in manufacturing like Welding and Computer Numerical Control, focusing on lower-income and unemployed adults. We also provide wrap-around supportive services such as adult literacy education, public aid application assistance, employment coaching, and financial coaching.

”“JARC was definitely my springboard that catapulted me to where I am now.”

Toncé, JARC Chicago Welding Program Graduate

Before discovering JARC, JARC Chicago Welding Program Graduate Toncé faced significant challenges. Her past created barriers that made finding stable, traditional employment difficult. Enrolling in JARC’s Welding program, Toncé committed herself to reinventing her life.  

JARC’s comprehensive support was instrumental in Toncé’s transformation. After completing the program, she secured a job at Freedman Seating as a robotic welder. With the foundation she built at JARC, Toncé continued to grow, eventually starting her own business, Restored and Delivered Cleaning Company LLC.  

Today, Toncé is thriving, both professionally and personally. She attributes her resilience and adaptability to the skills and confidence she gained through JARC’s program. “JARC was definitely my springboard that catapulted me to where I am now,” she says.  

This Giving Tuesday,

here are some ways that you can support us in sustaining our programming and mobilizing people out of poverty:

Donate to support JARC

Donate now at your level of choosing—every dollar makes a difference! Support a specific area of our work that speaks to you, such as funding one week of hands-on manufacturing training, buying a pair of steel-toe boots for a new trainee, or helping design and create JARC’s first-ever mascot! 

Thanks to our generous sponsors this year, your donation will be matched dollar for dollar up to $7,500, doubling the impact of your gift!

Donate now to support JARC!

Enter Our Giveaway!

All donations over $100 enter to win a limited-edition mug and donations over $500 enter to win a limited-edition tote bag and mug. These items are designed by our trainees and graduates!

Donate now and enter our giveaway!

40th Anniversary Gear Tote Bag

Purchase JARC Merchandise

Visit our store and purchase our limited-edition t-shirts and mugs designed by our trainees and graduates! Every purchase helps us reach our goal, and fund free training and support services. Wear their story, fuel our mission!

Purchase JARC Merchandise!

Christopher, JARC Chicago Welding trainee, with his winning design! 

Chris Unisex Heavy Cotton

$34.99

Buy Now!

Thank you to our generous

matching sponsors!

Leader Level:

Partner Level:

If you have any questions, please contact us at development@jane-addams.org. We appreciate your consideration and hope you will join us in celebrating this special day! 

Important: All donations are designated as General Operating funds to support JARC’s programs and services. While we’ve included examples of what contributions at different levels could help achieve, individual gifts are not earmarked for specific items or programs. Your support helps us continue serving our trainees and community in the areas of greatest need. 

Olive Dwan
In Rhode Island, Success Stories

Michael – Success Story

Michael

Before Michael found his way to Jane Addams Resource Corporation Rhode Island (JARC RI), his work life was unpredictable. “From job to job, you know, never really having anything that I was like, set in any kind of career,” he recalls. For years, Michael bounced from one role to another, unsure of what path to pursue. Then one day, his wife came across JARC RI online. “Honestly, my wife seen it online,” Michael said. “That’s how I checked it out.” That chance discovery set in motion a transformation neither of them expected.

”“Once we started working on the machines...it wasn’t overwhelming. It made me feel more comfortable.”

MichaelJARC Rhode Island, CNC Graduate

”“I didn’t think I’d be able to do it at first, and then by the end of it, I was like, Oh wow. That wasn’t as bad as I thought.”

When Michael enrolled in JARC RI’s training program, it was a leap into the unknown. “The program was nice, I mean, I enjoyed it. At first, it was a little overwhelming,” he admits. But with persistence and support, he found his footing. “I stuck it out, and everybody was pretty nice there and helpful.” Like many adult learners returning to the classroom, Michael faced academic hurdles, particularly with trigonometry. “Trigonometry was kind of a pain,” he said. “I haven’t done it in so long, but once you practice it, it kind of comes back to you.” Thankfully, his instructor John guided him through, providing practice tests and encouragement along the way.

For Michael, JARC RI was more than just a training program; it was a turning point.

Michael also accessed support services during his training, like weekly gas cards to help cover transportation costs. While some funding support changed toward the end of his training, he remained focused on the bigger picture: earning industry-recognized certifications and securing a job. “Once we started working on the machines…it wasn’t overwhelming. It made me feel more comfortable.” Hands-on learning and personalized instruction helped Michael build confidence and real-world skills that set him up for success. While at JARC RI, Michael received three employment coaching sessions and 21 sessions focused on financial, work, and education coaching.

Today, Michael is employed as a Machinist at Senko Advanced Components in Bristol, Rhode Island. “I’m working on a machine, a [computer numerical control] CNC mill machine right now, and it’s pretty easy,” he shared with pride. “Actually, my 90th day was yesterday.” With steady work and a $19.19 hourly wage, soon increasing to $22.50 with a shift differential, Michael is building the stability he once only hoped for. “I just really want to make a decent living and save for retirement,” he said. “Obviously I’d like to move up in the future…I’m being very patient.”

For Michael, JARC RI was more than just a training program; it was a turning point. “JARC led me to a career that I probably wouldn’t have been in if I didn’t attend them.” When asked what he’d say to someone considering the program, his advice is heartfelt: “Give it a chance and not let the work in the beginning discourage you or overwhelm you. I didn’t think I’d be able to do it at first, and then by the end of it, I was like, Oh wow. That wasn’t as bad as I thought.”