advertisement

YMCA Receives Grant from Rotary Club of Chicagoland Korean - Northbrook to Create Jobs for Special Needs Community

The North Suburban YMCA has announced it will open Café Voca, a new coffee bar that will provide vocational training and employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental challenges. Café Voca is developed in partnership with the Rotary Club of Chicagoland Korean-Northbrook (RCCKN) and Rotary International, who furnished the program's initial funding. The program will also be supported through Autism Workforce and the Wheat Mission, a community organization that provides recreation to individuals with special needs in the Korean Community.

"We at the RCCKN felt the North Suburban YMCA was the ideal partner given the breadth and success of their special services programming," said Dr. John Kim, RCCKN Grant Committee Chair.

Scheduled to open in April, Café Voca will be located in the Y's lobby and serve coffee, other hot beverages, and packaged snacks. "The Korean Rotary Club and the Y identified a continuous unmet need for employment for individuals with special needs within the community, particularly the Asian American and Pacific Islander population in the northern suburbs," explained the NSYMCA's Special Services Coordinator Ellen Mirochnick. "Our ultimate goal will be to achieve gainful employment for our participants."

Café Voca's trainees will be recruited from the Wheat Mission, Y membership, and the community at large; hands-on training will be provided by Autism Workforce, the employment training arm of the Exercise Connection. The Rotary Club of Chicagoland Korean-Northbrook will help with translation services, mentorship, and job placement within the local community.

"I am grateful to Board Member Justin Lee, John Kim from the Korean Rotary Club, and Pastor Nam from the Wheat Mission, for their tireless efforts to advocate for this effort through Rotary International," commented North Suburban YMCA's President/CEO Howard Schultz. "We are excited to begin this essential work and look forward to engaging additional partners along the way to sustain this project for long term success."

For more information about the Café Voca program, contact North Suburban YMCA Special Services Coordinator Ellen Mirochnick at emirochnick@nsymca.org or (847) 272-7250 Ext. 1239.

About the North Suburban YMCA

The North Suburban YMCA services Northbrook and 14 surrounding communities with programs and tools that help its residents become healthier, more connected, and confident, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. The NSYMCA focuses on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility and is a charitable organization, inclusive and welcoming to all in our community. Learn more at NSYMCA.org.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.