CSBG Pilot Programs

Northwestern Indiana Community Action Corporation
(NWICA)

NWICA, located near Chicago, used the bulk of their ARRA allocation in excess of $1.5 million to employ 587 young people from ages 14 to 24 in a host of non-profi t agencies and governmental organizations for the summer. Th e young people worked about 20 hours per week for approximately 13 weeks at the rate of $7.80 per hour. With this infl ux of summer employment, the host sites were able to accomplish many projects to improve and enhance their communities. Th e young workers gained work skills to benefi t them into the future. Th eir families gained additional household income to help weather the economic downturn.

NWICA hired four full-time staff for six months to design and manage the project. Th e number of thank you notes from the young people and the organizations that employed them fi lled two large binders. What a successful employment project that was on target with the spirit of ARRA!