Conscious Choice: Greencorps Helps Make Chicago Green

September 2008 | From the Commish

Greencorps Helps
Make Chicago Green

Each year approximately 20,000 people are released from prison and come home to Chicago. Mayor Daley had the vision to understand that the city of Chicago had an obligation to assist Chicagoans with regard to re-entry into society. There is a story behind each and every individual who has made some missteps along the way and paid their debt to society. In many cases, they have families that are depending on them to remain gainfully employed and productive.

Greencorps Chicago provides opportunities in the horticultural and landscaping fields to formerly incarcerated individuals who are looking for a way to get reconnected to the fabric of this great city. Greencorps Chicago is a nine month paid job training program where apprenticeship and job placement is the goal. We’ve even had success stories of Greencorps graduates finishing the program and starting their very own business. Established in 1994, Greencorps is run by Chicago’s Department of Environment in partnership with WRD Environmental, and over 250 trainees have graduated from the program. Individuals joining the program are referred by social service partners and receive assistance during and following the program with housing, substance-abuse, and job placement issues. Many participants are first-time job seekers, including a majority of ex-offenders that are recently released from the Department of Corrections.

Greencorps has provided assistance and materials to over 800 gardens across Chicago. From maintaining medians and planting fruit trees and vegetable gardens to installing rain gardens, the city is greener because of the trainee’s work. Greencorps crews assist with community gardens and learn the difference between perennials and annuals. Greencorps crews have built rain barrels, weatherized homes, safely disposed of household chemicals and processed old computers at the city’s permanent Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility at Goose Island. Greencorps crews have even built bird platforms and bat boxes that provide habitat for the wildlife in Chicago’s parks and lunker boxes and floating islands that provide habitat in the Chicago River.

Economic development, job creation and, more importantly, green jobs will play an integral role in Chicago’s economic and environmental future. We’ve been able to provide Greencorps graduates with the tools they need to succeed in the green jobs field as well as life skills that will serve them well, including how to interview for a job or how to manage money. The program is a benefit to the community and improves the quality of life for Chicagoans across the city as well as for the participants themselves.

Each spring, approximately 40 men and women join Greencorps Chicago and get hands-on experience. The next time you see a vacant lot or piece of land go from an eyesore to a beautiful community garden its possible that a Geencorps crew lent a helping hand. Greencorps is more than a job training program — it is an opportunity for individuals to rebuild their lives and make positive contributions to their environment and communities.

To find out more information about Greencorps Chicago job training program or to request community garden assistance from Greencorps email or call 312.744.8691.

Suzanne Malec-McKenna is the Commissioner of Environment for the City of Chicago.

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