The Eleanor Network | Portrait of an Eleanor Woman: Maria Makes a Change

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Maria Makes a Change

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November 8, 2011

After moving to Chicago from Texas with her daughter, Maria worked in a succession of local jobs—as a cashier, a waitress, and a supervisor in manufacturing. But this single working mother wanted a career change and a steady job she could enjoy and grow in.

Maria had always liked building things, and was interested in carpentry. Her sister told her about Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT)—a grantee partner of the Eleanor Network. So Maria enrolled in the pre-apprentice program at CWIT, and she graduated last year.

Her training opened the door to a nine-week program with the union. "I'm proud of myself because I completed the program. It wasn't easy...We women have homes, kids, everything, and we make [every] effort to be there in the program every day."

"I'm confident I'll find a job because we were the first class of carpenters in two years because of the economy," says Maria. "Now it's picking back up."

Meanwhile, Maria stays involved—keeping in touch with CWIT about additional schooling and taking other women on field trips to union training classes. Based on her experience at CWIT, she would like to see public agencies directing more women to existing job-skills training resources that are out there, telling public aid office staff, "They are preparing you for the real world out there."