Our Community Archives - Cara Collective https://caracollective.org/category/our-community/ Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:03:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://caracollective.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cara_icon.png Our Community Archives - Cara Collective https://caracollective.org/category/our-community/ 32 32 Rich Finds His Place in the World https://caracollective.org/rich-yea/ Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:34:36 +0000 https://caracollective.org/?p=24221 “I started working in facilities maintenance at the age of 17. I even worked with two of the biggest firms developing properties downtown in the 80s and late 90s. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, jobs in that area dried up. “Unable to find a job for the first time in my life, I struggled with …

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“I started working in facilities maintenance at the age of 17. I even worked with two of the biggest firms developing properties downtown in the 80s and late 90s. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, jobs in that area dried up.

“Unable to find a job for the first time in my life, I struggled with depression. I was trying to shelter in place and protect myself from a disease that was spreading like wildfire. But, I was alone in a room with nobody to talk to and had no social interaction. Then I was forcibly evicted from my home and I had to make the hard decision to enter a homeless shelter.

“It’s very hard to live in a shelter. You’re with more than 150 other men. It’s kind of dormitory style. You eat together, you sleep together, you shower together. And they have a lot of strict rules that make it even harder to find and keep a job.

“But that’s also how I learned about Cara Collective.

“The first thing that Cara did for me was lift me out of my depressive state. Cara has counselors you can meet with free of charge. I learned several techniques to cope with my situation and rediscover my positivity.

“In the classes at Cara and with the support of my coach, I was freely able to communicate my struggles and received nothing but positivity and encouragement. I also received a wealth of information and opportunities to reinvent myself to get back into the job market. And on top of that, they provide transit cards to all the job seekers. With the seven-day pass from Cara, I was not only able to get to my training, I was also able to travel to look for work and see friends and family around the city.

“Without Cara, I don’t know how long I would’ve struggled with my depression.

“Because of my experience in facilities and maintenance, once I finished the training at Cara, I was offered a position on the Cara facilities team. It wasn’t an easy job, there were always problems to be addressed, but it helped me rediscover my self-worth. I was happy to be helping other people and it helped me to relearn how to socialize after the isolation of the pandemic. And to my surprise, through one of my Cara coworkers, I was able to find permanent housing. They had a personal relationship with the landlord and made the introduction. I met with the landlord and got the keys the same day!

“After an incredible year at Cara, I worked with the Employment Services team to find my next opportunity. Given my background, they helped me apply and interview for Environmental Service jobs at three different hospitals.

“Today, I’m an Environmental Services Technician at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital. In addition to my day-to-day responsibilities, I also train new associates. I really enjoy getting all of the new hires up to speed and affording them the opportunity to excel at their position. Because of my hard work and dedication, my supervisor saw my organizational skills and is working with me to advance to a lead position after only six months at the hospital.

“One of the biggest things I learned at Cara is we all have struggles in life. Cara means ‘friend’ – and that’s what everybody associated with Cara is to me. Thanks to my friends, I have a stable job that I love. I have a home again. I have returned to myself. And best of all, I have a place in the world.

Your support this Season of Giving is critical to helping more job seekers like Rich transform their lives and find self-sufficiency through the power of employment. Click here to make a donation today.

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LaKeita Pursues the Life She Wanted https://caracollective.org/lakeita-yea25/ Tue, 25 Nov 2025 19:57:38 +0000 https://caracollective.org/?p=24220 “I had built a promising career in education and loved every minute of it. But when my husband and I decided to start our family, I knew in my heart that I wanted to be fully present at home. So, I made a choice: I pressed pause on my professional journey to raise my children …

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“I had built a promising career in education and loved every minute of it. But when my husband and I decided to start our family, I knew in my heart that I wanted to be fully present at home. So, I made a choice: I pressed pause on my professional journey to raise my children and give them a safe, loving home.

“For nearly a decade, my world revolved around my family. Those years were deeply meaningful and I would do it again in a heartbeat. But as my children grew older and more independent, I was ready to focus on me again.

“I had been the first in my family to graduate from college, I had run my own businesses from home, and I had so much knowledge and experience to offer. I thought it would be simple. With my degree, work history, and entrepreneurial experience, I expected opportunities to follow.

“Instead, I spent seven months building spreadsheets of job applications, paying professionals to rewrite my résumé, and reaching out to contacts, but the callbacks were few and far between. Even when interviews came, they led nowhere.

“The gap on my résumé seemed to overshadow everything else. I began to second guess myself. Had I made a mistake stepping away? Was I out of touch? What was I missing here?

“It began to wear me down. I felt like a failure.

“Then one day, I opened a community newsletter from Austin Coming Together and saw the name “Cara Collective.” I didn’t know what it was, but something nudged me to click.

“At first, I wasn’t convinced it was for me – especially after seeing a video of people singing in the Motivations circle. But the name kept appearing in my inbox. Eventually, I told myself, ‘If you’re going to let something like singing stop you from your goals, maybe you don’t want this as much as you say you do.’

“I came to Cara in March 2024. And that decision changed everything.

“The first week was intense. I felt out of place at first in the group assignments, unsure if I belonged. I even seriously considered quitting.

“But then I told myself: ‘How can I say I work well with all kinds of people and turn away a prime opportunity like this.’ So, I talked myself into staying. That was a turning point for me.

“I stayed. I led. I grew.

“At Cara, I rediscovered my resilience. I learned that leadership isn’t about waiting for the perfect environment; it’s about creating it. I learned that my ‘gaps’ didn’t define me—they strengthened me.

“By the end of our four-week training, my cohort voted to honor me with the Founders Award—something I never could have imagined in those first uncertain days.

“When it came time to job search again, I no longer felt alone. I had an entire team committed to my success and opening doors I couldn’t open on my own. It was empowering.

“That’s how I found my way to BMO.

“During my final interview, the market president told me she knew she wanted to hire me after seeing me in the Motivations circle – the very thing I was once running away from helped me secure my job.

“Today, I walk into my branch each morning knowing I belong. I meet with dozens of customers daily, helping them reach their financial goals and navigate their lives. The work feels natural because helping people is what I’ve always done.

“If you ask me what’s changed most since coming to Cara, I’ve become relentless about what I want to pursue in life. I no longer wait for opportunities. I create them. And I no longer question whether there’s a place for me. I know there is.”

Your support this Season of Giving is critical to helping more job seekers like LaKeita transform their lives and find self-sufficiency through the power of employment. Click here to make a donation today.

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Bernita Reclaims Her Strength https://caracollective.org/bernita-yea25/ Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:07:17 +0000 https://caracollective.org/?p=24218 “I grew up in a small community south of Chicago as the second youngest of nine children. As a kid, I wanted to play baseball. That was my only plan. But as I became a teenager, I came to understand that wasn’t a reality. So, I decided that if I couldn’t be a ball player, …

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“I grew up in a small community south of Chicago as the second youngest of nine children. As a kid, I wanted to play baseball. That was my only plan. But as I became a teenager, I came to understand that wasn’t a reality. So, I decided that if I couldn’t be a ball player, I was going to leave my small town and experience the world.

“At 18, I enlisted in the Air Force – which took me to places like Washington D.C. and Spain. Through my service, I found work in accounting and finance, I got married, and I had two beautiful daughters.

“Two years after my service ended, my husband and I divorced. At that point, I needed a clean break. My daughters and I moved back to Illinois, and I raised them as a single mom.

“Starting over was difficult, even a little lonely. But it also pushed me to become strong. I had to for my daughters. I had to figure out everything from scratch.

“I was able to find work for the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and then left to become a code enforcement officer. I built a good life for my daughters and I. They graduated high school as valedictorians and went on to earn degrees, start careers, and eventually settled in California and Germany. I think I did a great job.

“Then in 2020, my entire department was eliminated at the height of the COVID pandemic. On top of that I had also lost a neighbor to COVID very suddenly. That left me scared to even venture outside, let alone search for a new job.

“I moved into my friend’s house to be his in-home caretaker. I thought it would be a good opportunity to have a place to live and to make some money. But after a while, he became aggressive and it was not a safe environment for me.

“I knew things had to change. So, for my own safety, I chose to live out of my car. I never imagined my life leading to homelessness, but I also didn’t lose hope. I knew I had way more fight in me.

“I contacted the Veterans Affairs office and was able to receive housing assistance. At this point I was also referred to Cara.

“Stepping into Cara’s doors, I knew this program would help me. I saw so much warmth. I saw so much diversity. I saw a community. As someone who was a loner much of their life, I had never had community like that before.

“Cara also pushed me; to get uncomfortable in sharing. During the Transformations classes, I was asked to look in the mirror and share what I saw. Initially, I saw a lost soul, but I could also see parts of my old self. The exercise made me realize I get to determine who I am, not experiences that made me feel like nothing. During the Forgiveness Exercise, I was able to forgive my friend and then forgive myself.

“I had lost my identity after being in such a dangerous situation with nowhere to go. Cara helped me get back to myself. My confidence started to come back.

“I worked a few transitional jobs, one for a property management company and then one at Cara’s South Side Campus. When a permanent role opened on Cara’s operations team, I immediately applied and got the job.

“This role pushed me to develop my customer service skills, and connect and build relationships with participants, guests, and staff – a softer side of me I wasn’t used to showing in past jobs. The most challenging part was managing the front desk transitional workers because they would eventually leave after they got a permanent job. I advocated for the position to become a full-time role, and Cara made it happen. This allowed me to move into my current role as an Administrative Specialist, with a larger focus on directly supporting my colleagues.

“Today, I am so grateful for Cara. I am in a much more stable place. I am happy. I am planning for my future, saving up for retirement, and I get to take trips to see my daughters and grandbabies. But most of all, Cara helped me heal and reclaim my strength and my self-worth when I needed it most.”

Your support this Season of Giving is critical to helping more job seekers like Bernita transform their lives and find self-sufficiency through the power of employment. Click here to make a donation today.

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Naila Finds Her Motivation in the Great Wall https://caracollective.org/naila-yea25/ Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:07:02 +0000 https://caracollective.org/?p=24213 “Before coming to Cara Collective, I was a depressed, directionless college dropout. “I endured a rough upbringing. However, I was always an overachiever. I pushed myself and graduated high school 12th in my class. I was accepted into the University of Illinois Springfield’s Honors program in 2020, with all my room, board, and tuition covered. …

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“Before coming to Cara Collective, I was a depressed, directionless college dropout.

“I endured a rough upbringing. However, I was always an overachiever. I pushed myself and graduated high school 12th in my class. I was accepted into the University of Illinois Springfield’s Honors program in 2020, with all my room, board, and tuition covered.

“However, a few months into school, I suffered a severe mental breakdown.

“Over the next three years I was diagnosed with major depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. I attended therapy and took medications to cope. But in December 2023, my depression became so great I stopped attending class. I dropped out to avoid having a transcript full of “Fs.”

“Fearing for my future, I reached out to Cara and was recruited into its March 2024 Cohort. I remember spending the majority of my orientation trying not to cry. I felt ashamed for being unable to find a job on my own and I was afraid because my community had repeatedly let me down. I didn’t know what to expect from Cara, but then my recruiter introduced me to the Great Wall.

“The Great Wall is a powerful symbol in Cara’s main classroom. It’s a display of plaques honoring participants who’ve completed a year on the job. Each plaque bears a name, a workplace, and a date — and each represents a story of perseverance. Every day I walked into Cara, I saw that wall, and it gave me hope. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone, and that success was possible. Every day, I showed up at Cara, I saw the Great Wall, and I was fueled by it.

“After completing Cara’s core training, the Employment Services team connected me with Rush University Medical Center’s Guest Relations Department. They saw something in me — my warmth, my attention to detail — and encouraged me to apply. A week later, I interviewed, and on June 3, 2024, I started my new role at Rush.

“Working at Rush has been the most perfect experience. As a Guest Relations Associate, I assist visitors, patients, and students of Rush hospital by giving directions, communicating with nurses on behalf of family, and checking visitors in and being a listening ear when needed. Being in a high-paced, ever-changing environment is highly enjoyable for me.

“With the support of both my Cara family and Rush family, I made the Great Wall in June of this year!

“When I saw my name on the Great Wall I was overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude and elation. I’d made it, and now, I had the opportunity to give back by sharing my story. The prompt for that morning was ‘What have you accomplished in the past year, and how did you do it?’

“I had a great first year at my dream school, Columbia College, and I qualified for a dual degree program, which allows me to start my Master’s in Strategic Communication while completing my undergrad.

“I accomplished all of this not only because of my determination, but because of the courage my Cara community gave me. If I could go back to my first day of Cara, I would tell myself, ‘You’re making the right choice.'”

Your support this Season of Giving is critical to helping more job seekers like Naila transform their lives and find self-sufficiency through the power of employment. Click here to make a donation today.

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Rebecca Rediscovers Her Resilience https://caracollective.org/rebecca-yea25/ Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:06:46 +0000 https://caracollective.org/?p=24219 “I didn’t have a great quality of life before I came to Cara. I had been in my addiction for 25 years and my daughter’s father had passed away from a fentanyl overdose. I tried getting sober many times, and it just never worked. This time, I knew I had to do something else for …

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“I didn’t have a great quality of life before I came to Cara. I had been in my addiction for 25 years and my daughter’s father had passed away from a fentanyl overdose. I tried getting sober many times, and it just never worked. This time, I knew I had to do something else for myself and for my kids.

“Once I’d achieved a little over six months of sobriety, the recovery home I was living in referred me to Cara. I was happy to come here and get a job, but I wasn’t expecting to learn so much about myself.

“At that time, I felt like a kid who was just starting to grow up. My addiction started at a very young age and I had been in that old lifestyle for so long. I never had a voice and didn’t have many positive interactions with people. I didn’t even know myself when I first got sober, so that was one of the biggest things I had to face.

“Cara helped me start to know myself and see myself in a more positive light.

“I specifically remember the Mirror Exercise with Mr. Jesse. He put the mirror in front of me and asked me to describe myself – who I saw in the reflection. I identified with a lot of negative things, some of which I didn’t even think of as negative until Mr. Jesse pointed it out. His response made me realize I wasn’t that person anymore, and that I needed to stop selling myself short.

“That was a big turning point for me.

“But, change didn’t happen right away. As I shifted into my job search, I figured because of my lack of work history, I was only qualified for the most basic positions. Then the Cara staff suggested I apply for the Office Manager position at Chicago Survivors, a local nonprofit that provides healing of communities and families affected by violent death.

“When I first saw the job description, I questioned if I was even qualified, but I followed through on the lead and applied. It was an intense interview process, which included a panel interview, something I’d never been a part of before. It was scary, but I used everything I learned and practiced at Cara and I got the job.

“All those things I was worried I couldn’t do? I’ve been able to do it all and then some.

“I have a short-term and long-term goal list that I’m currently working on and I’m checking off things left and right. I’m the only one in the office from nine to five every day and it’s good to be counted on to be the one to run the office. I answer calls from families every day; I get referrals and make sure they get to our field staff. I really feel like I’m able to help people.

“What is even more amazing about Chicago Survivors is that our Executive Director, Jashawn Hill, is also a Cara graduate. She started as a Family Support Specialist, then she created our youth team and became the Youth Coordinator, and now she’s the executive director. It’s nice to see there’s room for growth in that organization because I look forward to going to work every day.

“I have been at Chicago Survivors for two years now and I’m super grateful for Cara’s part in my journey. I’m in a very good place, probably the best I’ve ever been in my life – mentally, spiritually, physically, and with my sobriety. Now I’m able to give my family stability and be an example of resilience and responsibility for my kids. Today, I’m motivated, confident, and happy and I’m looking forward to the next step and doing what I need to get there.”

Your support this Season of Giving is critical to helping more job seekers like Rebecca transform their lives and find self-sufficiency through the power of employment. Click here to make a donation today.

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Robbie Finds Stability and a New Beginning https://caracollective.org/robbie-yea25/ Wed, 05 Nov 2025 15:35:13 +0000 https://caracollective.org/?p=24211 “I have always been a creative, hardworking person, from when I was a little kid learning how to put bikes together to becoming an electrician and earning three associate degrees. “However, I was also living with an addiction to heroin. “I spent years in and out of prison as I struggled with addiction. But the …

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“I have always been a creative, hardworking person, from when I was a little kid learning how to put bikes together to becoming an electrician and earning three associate degrees.

“However, I was also living with an addiction to heroin.

“I spent years in and out of prison as I struggled with addiction. But the last time I went to jail, Judge Charles Burns learned about my background and invited me to participate in the (W)RAP Program, a rehab program that was an alternative to a prison sentence.

“I spent a little over three months getting sober in the county jail and another three months going through inpatient and outpatient programs at Haymarket. I remember how horrible I felt going cold turkey the first 12 days. They were the hardest 12 days of my life. That is what motivated me to never get high again.

“When I was in recovery and ready to move back into my apartment, Judge Burns introduced me to Cara. I was skeptical at first because I had been in job training programs, and they never led me to a job. But once I got here and saw how much Vicki, Jesse, and the whole team cared, I was sold.

“In the Transformations classes, I learned there was so much more to life than getting high. I had been stagnant for a long time, but now I wanted to grow. I was determined to take all the information I learned and not just get a job but keep a job too. I learned everything about showing up and showing out: how to dress, how to work as a team, and how to get stuff done. But most importantly, I finally believed I could go places.

“Eventually I started working on a Cleanslate crew. I established myself as a good, dedicated crew member and moved from cleaning the curbs to picking up and organizing the trash bags in the truck.

“I was proud of my work because my efficiency supported our crews and made a big difference in decreasing how many times we had to stop and empty the trucks. I also felt a sense of community by bonding with my crew supervisors. Even though I don’t work at Cleanslate today, we still keep in touch.

“I kept up my work at Cleanslate until Kelly on the Employment Services team told me I’d be a great fit to work at Grainger as a Warehouse Associate. It was a good opportunity for a lot of reasons, but a big one was that Grainger provided transportation to and from work. I didn’t have my driver’s license or a vehicle then, so this was a big deal.

“When I interviewed, they were very accepting of my background. I told them my addiction was all in the past, and I was working hard to make a change and do better. They offered me the job, and it felt amazing. I got to celebrate by ringing the bell at Cara!

“I immediately loved the people at Grainger. We work hard, but we have fun doing it. At Cara, I learned the importance of teamwork, and I was able to come in ready and willing to help my teammates. I did such great work scanning shipments that they helped me get certified to become a forklift driver.

“The best part of my job is that it helped me become self-sufficient. I was able to get my driver’s license and buy a car. I don’t have to worry about having enough money to pay my rent. I can afford everything I need. It also helped me reach the (W)RAP Program’s graduation this coming December. After that, my record from the past five years will be expunged. It is going to feel so good to get my record expunged because people won’t hesitate to take a chance on me for future opportunities.

“With the support of the (W)RAP Program and Cara, I have stayed clean, I am working a great job, and I have stable housing. Now I am able to focus on my long-term goals like getting my bachelor’s degree and raising my credit score. I am just so grateful!”

Your support this Season of Giving is critical to helping more job seekers like Robbie transform their lives and find self-sufficiency through the power of employment. Click here to make a donation today.

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Harold Believes in Himself Again https://caracollective.org/harold/ Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:14:53 +0000 https://caracollective.org/?p=24248 “Before Cara, I felt stuck. I had been out of work for eight years and I had a criminal record, which made things even harder. I also struggled with my self-esteem and had overcome addiction years ago, but I still felt like I couldn’t move forward. I was a house husband, taking care of my …

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“Before Cara, I felt stuck. I had been out of work for eight years and I had a criminal record, which made things even harder. I also struggled with my self-esteem and had overcome addiction years ago, but I still felt like I couldn’t move forward. I was a house husband, taking care of my kids, and it felt like that was all I would ever be.

“Deep down, I wanted stability and a chance to prove myself, but I didn’t know where to start.

“Then I found Cara. I’ll never forget that first phone call. The person on the other end said, ‘We can help you.’ I thought, really? With everything on my record? But she explained the program and told me about Cleanslate. That was the beginning of my new life.

“Cleanslate was hard at first. I was cleaning streets every day. It pushed me physically and mentally. But it also taught me discipline. It taught me that if you want change, you have to show up and work for it. I showed up every day, on time, and that changed me.

“From there, Cara prepared me for something bigger. They trained me, coached me, and helped me believe in myself again.

“When I interviewed for a job at Northwestern Hospital, I was ready. I studied their mission statement, practiced my answers, and nailed the interview. When I got the job, it felt like Christmas morning. For the first time in years, I had benefits, a 401(k), and financial stability.

“A few years later, I lost my job due to the COVID pandemic. I felt myself slipping backwards. So, I reached out to Cara and I was able to come back. Once again, Cara was there for me. They helped me transition into the CTA’s Second Chance program and eventually into my current position as a Customer Service Agent.

“Today, I wake up happy to go to work. I have the means to stand on my own. I was able to put my kids through their proms. I’m putting my money in the bank. I’m saving for a car. I’m planning to get my own apartment.

“Cara didn’t just help me find a job. They gave me hope, confidence, and a second chance. Cara is helping me become who I am meant to be!”

Your support of Cara Collective means more job seekers like Harold get their chance at a new beginning. Click here to make a financial gift today.

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Jeanette Finds Her Second Chance https://caracollective.org/jeanette-cdog/ Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:35:31 +0000 https://caracollective.org/?p=23999 “Before I found Cara, I didn’t know what my future held for me. I had just finished serving 36 months of a 57-month federal prison sentence for an attempt to commit a bank robbery. During that time, I lost everything – my career, my family, my home…everything. Watch Jeanette share her story in her own …

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“Before I found Cara, I didn’t know what my future held for me. I had just finished serving 36 months of a 57-month federal prison sentence for an attempt to commit a bank robbery. During that time, I lost everything – my career, my family, my home…everything.

Watch Jeanette share her story in her own words.

“In prison, I was told that, once I got back on the outside, no one was going to want to hire me because of my background. That kind of thinking stuck with me. It really made me doubt myself, but I knew there had to be something bigger for me.

“My counselor first told me about Cara in January 2015. All I wanted was to find a job and I was willing to try anything. She thought it would be a good fit for me.

“I didn’t know what to expect at first. People sharing in the circle, the singing, the dancing…it was overwhelming. Each day was something different, but what I realized was all these lessons were breaking down the bitterness I had inside me from being incarcerated. So, I began to trust the process and embrace everything.

“It was all leading up to realizing my strengths and weaknesses, getting me to where I needed to be to successfully get back into society and the workforce.

“Not long after that, interviews started coming my way. I remember walking out of them feeling good. But then I couldn’t land a single job because of my background. It was like having a giant X on my back. It felt like the whole world was against me.

“After seven months of job searching, I was becoming angry and losing focus. That’s when I was presented with an opportunity to join the CTA’s Second Chance Program. I said ‘no.’ I thought cleaning buses was beneath me. I didn’t recognize the opportunity being presented to me at first – but the Cara team did. They kept pushing me and pushing me until finally I said ‘yes.’

“A week into the job, my parole officer visited me and spoke with my manager. The next day, he told me to keep up the good work and that there will be other opportunities for me at CTA. That lit my fire. That was my motivation.

“About a year later, I went full-time by taking a janitorial position. From there I just continued to climb the ladder. Currently, I serve as a Bus Maintenance Manager. I oversee mechanics, servicers, and apprentices of the Second Chance Program. I like to make sure that I share my story with the people I work with, that I was in that same position as they are, and that if I can do it, so can they.

“Today I am doing it all. I am going into my second year of home ownership. I have six grandchildren. I am a proud member of the Cara Alumni Association, and I share my journey with job seekers every chance I get.

“Twenty years ago, I didn’t have a care in the world. Today I do, and that’s a big accomplishment for me. The biggest challenge we face reentering society is recidivism. So when we have programs like Cara, it gives us an advantage because we have people willing to help us. I was saved by this program.”  

Your support this Cara Day of Giving means another job seeker like Jeanette gets the chance to transform their life. Click here to make a gift today.

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Anthony Goes from Despair to Purpose https://caracollective.org/anthony-cdog/ Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:35:19 +0000 https://caracollective.org/?p=23998 “For 30 years, I was a commodity broker and trader with Merck. I knew my way around the Chicago Mercantile Exchange better than a cab driver on Lower Wacker. But in 2020, my life fell apart. “My wife had a mental health crisis and tried to jump off our balcony. I was able to stop …

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“For 30 years, I was a commodity broker and trader with Merck. I knew my way around the Chicago Mercantile Exchange better than a cab driver on Lower Wacker. But in 2020, my life fell apart.

“My wife had a mental health crisis and tried to jump off our balcony. I was able to stop her—but not without injury. That left me with a sciatic nerve issue that caused pain from my head to my heel. The only part of the day I looked forward to was when I was asleep because that was the only time I wasn’t in pain.

“I lost everything—my marriage of 30 years, my career, even my housing. I was evicted through no fault of my own, and my bipolar disorder spiraled into a manic episode I couldn’t pull out of. By January 2023, I was sleeping on the streets in the middle of a Chicago winter.

“I was totally out of sorts and sick – mentally, physically, emotionally, everything. I had no future, no past. Nobody wanted to know me.

“Eventually, I got a bed at All American Nursing Home. It wasn’t ideal—no locks on the doors, no nutritious food, no peace—but it was off the street. That’s where I first heard about Cara Collective.

“On my second or third day, Mr. Jesse led us in the mirror exercise. I was carrying so much pain, physically and emotionally, and it all came to the surface. Jesse looked at me and said, ‘You’ve got to get healthy. If you can get healthy, you’re going to be fine.’

“At the time, I was overwhelmed. I had so much shame. I kept thinking about all the opportunities I’d squandered. But Cara helped me reframe those so-called “mistakes.” Now I don’t see them as mistakes—I see them as lessons. And lessons don’t stop you. Lessons help you grow.

“Cara helped me begin again. Not just by addressing my health, but by treating me like someone who still had value. They gave me tools, training, support—and most importantly, they gave me my hope back.

“Thanks to Cara, I started to get healthy again.

“With the help of Cara, I landed a job at Mount Sinai as a Patient Experience Liaison. I was excited but also sad to leave my Cara cohort—we’d been through something powerful together and I didn’t want to say goodbye. But I was ready.

“I love my job. I love that we serve people society often forgets—because that’s what Cara did for me, and now I get to pay it forward in my job every day.

“Many of our patients speak Spanish or are hard of hearing, so I taught myself Spanish and American Sign Language. Every weekday, I study for two hours. One day, a woman handed me a note written in beautiful calligraphy. It said: ‘Thank you. You have made my day today.’ She signed it L.G. Lewis, April 2. I still carry it with me; it makes me emotional every time I read it.

“I’ve learned that a small act of kindness—speaking to someone in their language, offering a smile—can transform their entire day.

“In May, I reached one year on the job and came back to Cara for my Great Wall ceremony. A year ago, I couldn’t imagine even showing up to a place on time, let alone holding a job for a full year. That felt impossible. Now, it’s my reality. But my story isn’t just about the year I’ve put behind me, it’s about the path I have ahead of me.

“I’m working toward an administrative role at Mount Sinai, and I’m just 16 credits away from finishing my hospitality degree. I have a real shot at a six-figure salary doing what I love. I’m not there yet—but I’m on the path.

“Cara didn’t do the work for me. I had to take each step myself. But they made sure I could take that first step. From bus passes to interview clothes to encouragement, they made sure I could show up. And when you’re just trying to survive, being able to show up is everything.

“Other places gave me a bed. Cara gave me a future.

“During my Great Wall ceremony I thought about that first mirror exercise I did in my first days at Cara. When Jesse asked me what I saw, I saw a broken man—unhealthy, hopeless, living in deep, deep despair.

“This morning, I looked in the mirror in my work uniform and saw someone different: a respectful, humble, grateful man. I saw a man with purpose. I live in a beautiful apartment, ten minutes from a job I love. I show up on time. I contribute. I’m proud of who I’ve become.

“Cara didn’t just help me get back on my feet. They helped me build a new life.

“I used to think I couldn’t work, now I look forward to going to work every day. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work, because I didn’t have the ability to do it before I came to Cara. That’s what employment does for people; that’s what Cara did for me.”

Your support this Cara Day of Giving means another job seeker like Anthony gets the chance to transform their life. Click here to make a gift today.

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Kelvin Turns Grief into Transformation https://caracollective.org/kelvin-cdog/ Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:34:00 +0000 https://caracollective.org/?p=23826 “I was in a dark place. My son was murdered on Thanksgiving and the pain of that shattered my family. My daughter’s words, “I got nobody to protect me now,” cut me to my core, and my relationship with my wife fell apart. We blamed each other, and eventually, we separated. “I was stuck in …

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“I was in a dark place. My son was murdered on Thanksgiving and the pain of that shattered my family. My daughter’s words, “I got nobody to protect me now,” cut me to my core, and my relationship with my wife fell apart. We blamed each other, and eventually, we separated.

“I was stuck in a cycle of grief and resentment. I blamed my job as a truck driver for taking me away from my family when I should’ve been there. I even promised myself I’d never drive a truck again. I couldn’t see a way forward and questioned why I was left behind when my son was taken.

“It felt like I lost everything—my family, my home, my job, my purpose…the life I once knew.

“I first heard of Cara Collective through a flyer I saw at the shelter I was living in. At that time, I still didn’t think anyone could help me, but something about it caught my attention. I decided to call, and that’s when everything began to change.

“When I first came to Cara, I expected nobody to care about me. But I was wrong. From that first day, I felt how the people there truly saw me, not just for my struggles, but for who I could become. The staff at Cara spoke to my heart. They weren’t just giving me advice or telling me what to do; they were showing me love in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“One of the first things we did was something called the Mirror Exercise. Our trainer, Jesse, walked around the room holding a body-length mirror up to each of us. He asked us to look into the mirror and tell the room what we saw. It was a lot of feelings of shame and struggle.

“At first, I didn’t get it. But later, when I stood in front of my own mirror at home, I started repeating positive affirmations: ‘I love you, Kelvin. You’re great. Greatness comes to you.’ It felt weird, but over time, those words became powerful. I began to see myself differently—more positively, and with a sense of possibility. That was the start of my transformation.

“Cara didn’t just help me with affirmations; they gave me a space where I felt seen and supported every day. The staff treated me like family—Jesse, Miss Vicki, Vaughn—they all made me feel like I mattered. Their encouragement helped me find the energy to keep moving forward. Instead of just existing, I began to live again. I started reflecting on the daily lessons, writing things down, and preparing for group sessions. It was a shift I never thought possible.

“Soon, I began to see myself as a leader. I even helped organize a group activity and was honored with the Founders Award. That recognition was huge for me—it made me realize that I could contribute in ways I never imagined.

“Cara also opened doors for me professionally. Through Cara, I connected with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, who was impressed with my background. They asked about my short-term and long-term goals, and I shared my vision of growing within the company. Not long after, I was offered a position as an Operations Worker.

“Today, I’m excited because I see so many opportunities ahead of me. I plan to learn as much as I can in the next few years, absorbing everything like a sponge. I want to rise within the company, maybe even become a plant manager or take on a leadership role. “I know it won’t be easy, but I’m ready. Cara has shown me that transformation is possible. After my son died, I was closed off from the world and couldn’t see a path forward. Now I’m able to learn and grow again. Cara helped me relocate my purpose, and now I’m moving forward with hope, determination, and my eyes set on a bright future.”

Your support this Cara Day of Giving means another job seeker like Kelvin gets the chance to transform their life. Click here to make a gift today.

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