Since 1988, the mission of Greater West Town Project (GWTP) has been to build a community-based response to expanding educational and economic opportunities for residents of Chicago, with a focus on the Greater West Town communities of Humboldt Park, East and West Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and Austin.
GWTP is a 501c3 nonprofit agency that develops practical, model solutions to the related problems of unemployment, poverty, and barriers to occupational training and educational opportunity across three divisions:
West Town Academy: an alternative high school for young people ready to take the important step of completing their high school diploma.
Vocational Training: certificate-granting vocational training programs in two high-growth industries: Woodworking & Solid Surface Manufacturing and Shipping & Receiving (TDL).
Jobs Placement Services: holistic career development including career planning, resume preparation, job readiness training, placement and post-placement supports.
All programs are no-cost to participants. Since it's founding, GWTP is proud to have:
- Established on-the-job training programs for neighborhood workers at more than 450 local companies.
- Trained, supported, and placed more than 9,200 low-income community residents and dislocated workers into sustainable employment.
- Provided more than 4,980 high school-aged students with alternative education, job training, job placement, youth mentoring, career planning assistance, and dropout prevention services.
- Delivered comprehensive employment preparation, support services, training, and job placement to more than 650 people experiencing homelessness.
- Trained and placed more than 2,700 unemployed, low-income community residents in jobs with local companies.