Career Vision and the Career Resource Center: Partners in Re-Careering and Re-Employing Adults

Career Resource Center (CRC) in Lake Forest, Illinois serves as a benchmark for area non-profit career transition centers. Started over 17 years ago to address the needs of individuals caught in downsizing and reduction—in-force activities by local businesses, CRC recognized early that many adults were not career literate—essentially lacking the knowledge and skills to quickly regain employment.

CRC provides unique programs and personal support for adults caught in career transition. These programs have been delivered to 1,000 residents each year by a cadre of over 110 volunteers. CRC services are comprehensive, including individual advising sessions; interview training, educational programs, and internet job search. Clients also have access to PCs, fax machines and reference materials, and listings of job opportunities.

In keeping with Career Vision's and CRC's common mission of outreach and education, we have formed a partnership to further promote our services to north suburban communities. A basic tenet of growth is networking and referrals. CRC makes our brochures and literature available to their clients, while we list CRC as a resource for career changers and Career Vision alumni on our website's list of Chicago Area Job Search Groups. Career Vision alums from the north suburbs are referred to the center for assistance with their job search activities.

Career Vision also presents educational programs for CRC, typically on adult career management topics. For instance, "How to Make Great Career Choices at Any Age" will be offered at CRC on June 21.

However, CRC hosted a Career Literacy™ presentation for the first time last year targeted to parents and students. This year, "Backwards Planning: How to Choose a Motivating College Major and Career" is scheduled for September 18.

"Our clients are always thinking about how to help their teens through the career choice process, according to Jan Cline Leahy, CRC Director. "We don't work with this younger age group, so this is a terrific way to add value to the community and to build strong partnerships with area high schools and Career Vision."

The program is open to all area parents and their students, and is publicized through the guidance departments at five schools: Lake Forest, Deerfield, and Highland Park High Schools, Lake Forest Academy and Woodlands Academy.

If your local or regional organization would be interested in a Career Literacy program or partnership, please email us and include "Partnership" in the subject line.

© Copyright 2007, Career Vision. Article may be reprinted with permission.

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