Services & Programs>Employment Services

Green Jobs Programs

Safer Foundation helps clients get involved with training and experience in one of the fastest growing industries with its green jobs initiatives.

Safer clients participate in a deconstruction program where they salvage and resell building materials from old buildings in Chicago.

The federal economic stimulus package, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), has spurred job creation by funding “shovel ready” projects across the country.

Safer Foundation has recognized this opportunity and has become an avid participant in this endeavor. Through ARRA stimulus funds, Safer has initiated several new programs that have provided hundreds of new jobs for our clients.
The Neighborhood Clean-Up Program, through the City of Chicago Department of Family and Supportive Services, allows 33 clients the opportunity to join work crews and participate in community beautification projects like snow removal and alley upkeep in City neighborhoods.

Thanks to an award from the City of Chicago Department of Environment, Safer, through its Safer Return demonstration project, has also teamed up with Garfield Park Conservatory to provide green jobs training in sustainable landscaping for 50 people with criminal records in Chicago’s East Garfield Park community. Examples of this work include urban agricultural projects in some of the neighborhood’s vacant lots.

The Deconstruction Work Services Training Program, made possible thanks to the Chicago Department of Community Development, provides 70 clients with training related to the controlled deconstruction of buildings and the salvaging of materials. By diverting these materials from the landfill, this program will help decrease the amount of waste resulting from typical building demolition.

Safer has also partnered with WRD/Greencorps Chicago for the Department of Environment’s Green Jobs Training and Experience Program, which will provide additional green jobs training opportunities for Safer clients.

In total, these landmark programs will create 293 jobs for Safer clients. If each of these participants stay out of prison for at least one year, it will save the State of Illinois over $6 million in prison-related costs and allow returning parents to serve as breadwinners for their families. Safer looks forward to participating in more programs like these and hopes to continue to be a part of the economic recovery process.

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