Greater West Town Project

Since 1988, the mission of Greater West Town Project (GWTP) has been to build a community-based response to expanding educational and economic opportunities for residents of Chicago, with a focus on the Greater West Town communities of Humboldt Park, East and West Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and Austin. GWTP is a 501c3 nonprofit agency that develops practical, model solutions to the related problems of unemployment, poverty, and barriers to occupational training and educational opportunity across three divisions: West Town Academy: an alternative high school for young people ready to take the important step of completing their high school diploma. Vocational Training: certificate-granting vocational training programs in two high-growth industries: Woodworking & Solid Surface Manufacturing and Shipping & Receiving (TDL). Jobs Placement Services: holistic career development including career planning, resume preparation, job readiness training, placement and post-placement supports. All programs are no-cost to participants. Since it's founding, GWTP is proud to have- Established on-the-job training programs for neighborhood workers at more than 450 local companies- Trained, supported, and placed more than 9,200 low-income community residents and dislocated workers into sustainable employment- Provided more than 4,980 high school-aged students with alternative education, job training, job placement, youth mentoring, career planning assistance, and dropout prevention services- Delivered comprehensive employment preparation, support services, training, and job placement to more than 650 people experiencing homelessness- Trained and placed more than 2,700 unemployed, low-income community residents in jobs with local companies.