An update from Cara regarding COVID-19

UPDATED April 23, 2021

Thank you for being part of the Cara community and for your commitment to supporting our job seekers who are ready to lift themselves out of poverty and homelessness. Like you, we continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and are keeping a close eye on official information and guidance from the CDC, WHO, and both the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago.

We are committed to maintaining the safety, health, and well-being of our participants, staff, volunteers, and community at large. To that end, the following actions are being taken, effective immediately:

• Cara’s main office in downtown Chicago is in the third stage of a four-stage re-opening plan. Until further notice, we are only allowing participants in small groups for workshops and resource support. Guests and volunteers are welcome to our downtown office by appointment only.

• Our South Side Campus will not be offering in-person services at this time, but will continue providing financial coaching, digital literacy, and resource support virtually during this time.

• While we are providing limited in-person programming and services during this time, we have augmented our services to continue supporting participants in their job search through virtual coaching services via social media platforms, phone, email, IM, and text. As of this update, Cara participants have been placed into more than 830 permanent or temporary jobs since the city’s Stay at Home Order was enacted.

• Cleanslate and Cara Connects assignments are in operation, with health and safety protocols in compliance with guidelines from the CDC and CDPH. During this time, workers required to be out in the field will be receiving hazard pay. Our administrative teams will continue to work remotely and our participants will continue to receive virtual engagement from our program support team at Cara during this order.

• Our recruitment and admissions team continues to work with and on-board prospective Cara participants in a virtual capacity. Anyone interested in joining Cara can reach out to 312-798-3309 or recruitment@carachicago.org.

• Our Cara Plus team is working virtually with our affiliate and Institute partners in cities around the country. Follow Cara Plus on LinkedIn for access to practitioner resources and announcements on upcoming webinars, Cara Institutes, and other learning opportunities.

• Given these special circumstances, we need your support more than ever. As you are able, please consider making a gift of any amount to our Emergency Fund to ensure we are able to continue seeing our participants and the programs that directly support them. We truly appreciate your concern and commitment during these unprecedented times, and we wish you well.

Our leadership will continue monitoring all news about the Coronavirus, particularly as it relates to its spreading in Chicago and any correlation these cases may have with our community. We will continue sending updates to our entire community via email, on our website, and through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Please be sure to follow these accounts for updates.

Thank you again for being part of this beautiful community. In friendship and good health,

Your friends at Cara

P.S. Below, are resources and recommendations to stay informed about COVID-19.
Chicago Department of Public Health
Illinois Department of Public Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
World Health Organization