On September 29, Chicago CRED’s Employment and Training team hosted an Employer and Community Partner Appreciation Brunch at the ComEd Chicago Training Center. Organized and facilitated by Regina Bass, the event was a heartfelt opportunity to celebrate the employers, training providers, and community partners who continue to help CRED participants access training, career pathways, and employment opportunities.
The morning featured remarks from Arne and members of the Chicago CRED leadership team, as well as a presentation on fair-chance hiring from Steph Dolan of the Corporate Coalition of Chicago. The conversation highlighted the importance of creating equitable opportunities and building stronger connections between employers and the communities they serve.
One of the most moving parts of the event came from Chicago CRED alumni Diego Perez and Jevon Standback, who shared deeply personal stories about their journeys. Diego’s heartfelt testimony brought many partners to tears, while both alumni offered a powerful reminder of why these partnerships matter. Their experiences demonstrated the real impact that access to training, employment, and supportive relationships can have on a person’s life and future.
Honoring Our Community Partners
As a special thank-you, employers and training providers received Chicago CRED’s Community Impact Award in recognition of their commitment to helping participants pursue career pathways, enter training programs, and secure meaningful employment.
The appreciation was clearly mutual. Following the event, we received wonderful feedback from several of our partners.
Shakiera Miller of Cara Collective shared how meaningful the recognition of their partnership was and thanked Chicago CRED for making their team feel welcomed and valued. Kristie Conklin of ComEd congratulated CRED on a fabulous event while celebrating 10 years of impact. Steph Dolan reflected on the incredible energy in the room and the power and inspiration of the alumni speakers.
Partners were also pleasantly surprised by the custom gift baskets, and the food was a big hit!
Thank You for Making This Work Possible
A special thank-you goes to ComEd for providing the wonderful venue and assisting with catering, as well as to our speakers, alumni, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make the day possible.
And, most importantly, thank you to our employer and community partners.
We could not do this work without you. Your continued support, commitment, and willingness to create opportunities are helping Chicago CRED participants build skills, pursue careers, and move toward brighter futures.
We are grateful for the partnerships we have built and excited about the opportunities we can continue to create together.