Since 1996, The Enterprising Kitchen (TEK) has been a valuable resource for low-income women in Chicago.  More than 600 women have interviewed for our program, of these TEK has provided support and employment training to 397 women and referral services to an additional 200 women.  The average wage for a TEK graduate is approximately $9 per hour.  What distinguishes TEK from traditional job training programs is that we:

1. Serve a diverse group of women in a collaborative environment
2. Provide one-on-one attention and support to address each woman’s individual needs
3. Produce and market a tangible product from start to finish with the purpose of creating multiple training avenues

TEK graduates move into positions at varying skill levels and types.  Social service agencies, health care, manufacturing, and transportation companies have employed TEK graduates.

Program Update Report, June 30, 2010

Meet Pat – a recent TEK graduate.  Pat’s young life was a constant struggle.  She grew up as one of eight children to a single mother and joined a gang in her teenage years.  According to Pat, her biggest struggle was with herself.  “I was very closed off to the world,” Pat said.  “It wasn’t easy for me to warm up to people or for them to warm up to me.”  Pat joined TEK in September 2007 after years of working as an assembly line operator and in housekeeping at a warehouse.

While filling an order for the Kohler Company featuring sink-shaped soap on the rope, Pat quickly learned that she had a hidden talent.  “They let me loose and I must have carved 30 ropes a day”, Pat explained.  “My mind is relaxed and my soul is at peace when I am carving.  I never felt that before.”

Pat graduated from TEK in the summer of 2009.  She did a stint as a forklift driver, but now works as an employment retention specialist in the Humboldt Park neighborhood in Chicago.  Pat now uses her experiences to guide others.

I want to thank TEK for allowing me the opportunity to grow,” she said.  “It was a blessing to be given an honest chance.”