Employment/Job Training
MELD
MELD provides programs for young mothers and fathers (through 21 years of age) and their children through our MELD Moms & MELD Dads parenting and support groups. The groups meet weekly at local churches and in local high schools. Volunteers provide childcare and healthy snacks to ensure that these families are able to take advantage of our services. Families come together to discuss parenting issues and to share ideas with each other. Life skills, job skills training, GED tutoring and assistance in completing education, career planning and guidance, pre-employment workshops, and employment opportunities and job placement services provided in addition to parenting information and support/resources services. Also provides Transitional Living Program and an emergency shelter known as Trinity House (see separate entries).
- 3703 N. Main St. #107
Rockford, IL 61103 - Phone: 815-633-6353
- Fax: 815-633-8709
Rock River Training Corporation
Rock River Training Corporation provides opportunities for young people between ages 14-21 in Boone and Winnebago Counties to complete their education and train in areas that help build a foundation to enhance their future.
Youth Programs for in-school youth help youth stay in school by providing tutoring, counseling, mentoring, career exploration, work experiences, and overall support. The expectations of the workplace permeate the programs which, in cooperation with the youths’ schools, prepare youth to enter additional education/training after high school and/or full-time jobs. Youth may be in a program from several years. Programs for youth who have dropped out of school emphasize the youth’s return to school or obtaining a GED as a basic step on their road to self-sufficiency. Programs provide basic skills/GED instruction, tutoring, counseling, mentoring, career exploration, and work experience. The programs keep in contact with youth who leave the programs for at least a year.
- 303 N. Main Street
Rockford, IL 61103 - Phone: 815-847-7574
http://www.rockrivertraining.org/youth.htm
Workforce Connection
A partnership of state and federally funded employment and training programs, economic development agencies and educational entities committed to providing a workforce that meets the needs of our business community. Includes Rock River Training Corporation and the Rock Valley College Dislocated Worker Program, provides one contact for employers to find workers and for job-seekers to receive training, education, and employment services.
- Job Hotline: 815-395-6608
- 303 N Main Street
Rockford, IL 61101 - Phone: 815-395-6600
- 998 Belvidere Road
Belvidere, IL 61008 - Phone: 815-547-9616
http://www.theworkforceconnection.org
Also with Youth Programs.
View brochure.
Youthbuild
Provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth, ages 17-24 who are Rockford, IL residents.
- 917 S. Main Street
Rockford, IL 61101 - Phone: 815-963-6236
http://www.youthbuildrockford.org
Barbara Olson Center of Hope
Provides a variety of vocational, employment, educational, social, and habilitative services for teens 16 years of age or older and adults with developmental disabilities living in Winnebago and Boone Counties and surrounding areas. Services include parent and auxillary groups, nursing services, occupational therapy, transportation, school transition services, behavior management, social and recreational opportunities, and outreach and advocacy. Programs include Hope Industries, Workshop, Vocational Development, Education and Training Center with a variety of multiple training opportunities, Community Employment Services, Sensory Integration, Moments Remembered, and Volunteer Center.
- 3206 North Central Avenue
Rockford, IL 61101 - Phone: 815-964-9275, TDD: 815-964-9388
- Fax: 815-964-9607
http://www.b-olsoncenterofhope.org
Center for Sight and Hearing
Offers evaluation and treatment of vision and hearing impairments for children and adults. Also offers communication assistive technology, interpretting services, instruction in Braille and sign language, and vocational assistance. Routine eye exams offered for children with special needs. Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance accepted. Audiology Clinic open M-F 8-4:30. Vision Clinic open M-Th 9-4:30. Emergency interpretting services available 24/7.
Also provides job search and on-the-job training for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or low vision. CSH has a Simple Solution store with assistive technology devices for sale. Staff can help with computer and typing skills and assist with scheduling sign language interpreters and captionists for interviews, job training, meetings, classes, and other appointments.
- 8038 MacIntosh Lane (street)
P.O. Box 5944 (mailing)
Rockford, IL 61107 - Phone: 815-332-6800, TTY: 815-332-6820
- Emergency interpretting service: 815-966-2058
- Fax: 815-332-6810
Disability Works
Provides employment and training services to individuals with disabilities. Assists with need assessment, resume development, job readiness workshops, job search, on-the-job training, and information and referral. Also holds a National Disability Mentoring Day event each year in October where students are matched with employers of their career choice to job shadow for a few hours, and then take advantage of job readiness workshops.
- 303 N Main Street
Rockford, IL 61101 - Phone: 815-395-0401
- Fax: 815-966-2433
http://www.disabilityworks.org
Illinois Growth Enterprises
Assists adults ages 18 and above to obtain and maintain employment in the community. Our services include: vocational evaluation, resume development, training on how to complete employment applications and how to interview for employment, job search assistance, job coaching, and follow-up support to ensure successful, permanent employment.
- 7200 Clinton Road
Loves Park, IL 61111 - 815-962-8333
- Fax 815-964-3553
RAMP No Limits
Provides multiple services to promote independent living for indviduals with a disability. Provides youth education and advocacy- including individual education plan (IEP) specialists, individual and systemic advocacy, peer support, community education, deaf services, information and referrals, equipment loaning, accessibility assessments, independent living skills training, community re-integration program, brain injury case management, and personal assistant services.
- 202 Market Street
Rockford, IL 61107 - Phone: (815)968-7467, TTY: (815)968-2401
- Fax: (815)968-7612
- 530 S State Street, Suite 103
Belvidere, IL 61008 - Phone: (815)544-8404, TTY: (815)544-8404
- Fax: (815)544-1896
Rockford Home Services Program (Department of Rehabilitation Services Office)
We will be serving up to ten families a month for a total of twenty hours per family. Families will be chosen on a first come/first serve basis with a wait list used if necessary. Eligibility criteria:
‘ Birth to twenty one
‘ Must have a medical diagnosis of a developmental disability
‘ Denial from DHS-DORS program or Milestone and cannot be used in conjunction with either program
‘ There are no income guidelines
Key services provided by HSP include personal assistant services, such as help with bathing, dressing, cooking and other daily tasks, as well as home modification and nursing care.
- 107 N. 3rd Street
Rockford, IL 61107 - Phone: 815-987-4964, TTY: 888-340-1006
- Fax: 815-967-3768
The Secondary Transitional Experience Program (STEP) is a training/placement program that helps students with disabilities prepare to transition to employment and community participation during and after high school. Students learn to become productive, self-sufficient adults through a variety of STEP experiences. Assist students in developing desirable work habits and realistic career goals; provide opportunities for students to explore careers; offer meaningful work experiences through on-the-job placement; encourage students to develop the social and personal skills needed to maintain successful employment.
- 107 N. 3rd Street
Rockford, IL 61107 - Phone: 815-967-3725
- Fax: 815-967-3722
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=36737
The Arc of Winnebago, Boone, and Ogle Counties
Serves children, adults, and families with disabilities through service coordination, skills training, social activities, and advocacy. Provides home-based service facilitation if approved by Illinois DHSDD. New programs include behavioral modification and group and individual counseling for children and adults with special needs. Referrals may be required from Access Services of Northern Illinois to access certain services. No or sliding scale fees depending on programs. M-F 8:15-5.
- 1222 East State Street
Rockford, IL 61104 - Phone: 815-965-3455
- Fax: 815-965-3673
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Job placement and referrals, unemployment insurance, employment and training programs, career and labor market information, and payroll tax filing. Individuals can file claims for unemployment insurance benefits online or in person at this address. Other services include job fairs, special employment events, and resume/job hunting worksops, PCs with internet access, fax machines, other career resources, specialized job search assistance for veterans and Re-entry Employment Services Program. Located at the Workforce Connection.
- 303 North Main Street
Rockford, IL 61101 - Phone: 815-395-6600
Illinois workNet
Illinois workNet is a free service offered by the State of Illinois. Through its web portal, users are able to learn about career opportunities, especially in key sectors such as healthcare, information technology, transportation and manufacturing.
http://www.illinoisworknet.com
Federal Job Information Center
Complete listing of current Federal job opportunities on the web.
https://www.usajobs.gov/
Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois
Works with individuals and family to help develop skills to find and maintain employment. We work with individuals with barriers to employment. Our training classes include retail skills training and clerical skills training and we offer placement services and an open computer lab for individuals to use for job search purposes. there are no fee for services. Goodwill’s Dress for Success program gives individuals free clothing for interviews and employment. Goodwill also provides free tax preparation and e-filing at our VITA Sites, located at 1907 Kishwaukee Street and 8010 North Second Street. Also offers a free 12-hour financial literacy course to teach individuals about personal finance and how to make the most of the money they have.
- Main Office:
315 N Main Street
Rockford, IL 61103 - Store and VITA Site:
8010 North Second Street
Rockford, IL 61115 - Store:
4618 East State Street
Rockford, IL 61108 - Phone: 815-965-3795
La Voz Latina
La Voz Latina is a non-profit resource center serving Latino clients of all ages. Offers multiple services/programs including: a home visit program for pregnant Latina teens (call La Voz directly in Boone County, WCHD in Winnebago); prenatal and parenting classes; afterschool tutoring and mentor programs; family support services; bilingual parent/child literacy classes; English as a second language classes; adult education & job placement classes including consumer education workshops, small business classes, and employment workshops in partnership with area businesses and institution; scholarships; community development programs; orientation/advocacy/assistance for immigrants/refugees including applicable public benefits; citizenship classes; medical and legal translation; interpretation; information and referral assistance; and Spanish classes for professionals. Most services are provides at no charge.
- 730 N. Church Street
Rockford, IL 61103 - Phone: 815-965-5784
http://www.lavozlatina-rkfd.org/
Northwest Community Center
Offers a wide range of services for adults, youth and families, including job placement programs and free computer classes. Also listed under After-School Programs/Camps and Teen Resources.
- 1324 N. Johnston Avenue
Rockford, IL 61101 - 815-964-6885
http://www.northwestrockford.org
Northwestern Illinois Agency on Aging (NIAAA)
The Senior Community Service Employment Program is a government subsidized training/employment program for economically disadvantaged people 55 years old and above who are unemployed. We try to place eligible individuals to work in non-profit organizations for 20 hours per week at minimum wage. The participant continues to look for employment with the goal of finding permanent unsubsidized employment. Additionally, we provide employment resources for people 55 years and above, i.e. help with resume writing, workshops, and employment support groups. NIAAA’s business hours are 8-4. Calling for an appointment is necessary.
- Janet Williams, Employment Specialist
2567 Charles Street
Rockford, IL 61108 - Phone: 815-226-4901
- Toll Free: 800-542-8402
- Fax: 815-226-8984
- E-mail: jwilliams@nwilaaa.org
Rock Valley College Dislocated Worker Program
Serves residents of Boone and Winnebago County who have been laid off or terminated from their positions, who have worked for a company that has recently moved out of state or the country. Some services include: career counseling, resume assistance, basic skills classes, certificate programs, on-the-job training and more.
- 3301 N. Mulford Road
Rockford, IL 61114 - Phone: 815-921-7821
- Toll Free (800)973-7821
http://www.rockvalleycollege.edu/dwp
Rockford Housing Authority
Administers housing assistance programs funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Contact to determine eligibility, application process and availability of housing.
Also, provides job training, technical training, job search/placement, post employment follow-up, and job/opportunity fairs to residents of public housing, Concord, and Housing Choice Voucher holders.
- 223 South Winnebago Street
Rockford IL 61102 - Phone: 815-489-8500
- Fax: 815-489-8555
Rockford Local Jobs
Post your resume for local companies to read and additional resources.
http://www.rockfordlink.com/jobs2.htm
Career Builder.com
Idealist.org
Indeed.com
Monster.com Jobs
Copyright © 2005, The Children's Advocacy Project. All rights reserved.
CAP4Kids does not recommend or endorse the agencies or resources listed on the site. This is an informational site only. We encourage users to carefully review and evaluate all services and decide what is best to meet the needs of their families.
Web site designed, created, and maintained by Drexel University's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design — Digital Media Department.