Career Readiness
Resume support, interview practice, financial literacy and opportunity-ready portfolios turn aspirations into action.
All service areas
Skills, confidence and pathways to opportunity
Workforce Development
CAP and its affiliates help young people and adults prepare for employment, explore careers and build the practical confidence needed to take a next step.
A pathway becomes real when career exposure is paired with trusted guidance, transportation awareness, documents, interview practice and an employer connection.
Programs and approach
How this service area works.
Career Exposure
Youth meet professionals and explore aviation, health sciences, public safety, media and other growing fields.
Work-Based Learning
Summer jobs, project-based learning and employer partnerships help participants build experience and networks.
2025-2026 activities and events
Career preparation combined practice with real-world exposure.
Affiliates offered life-skills activities, educational workshops, referrals and career connections.
Common activitiesCareer explorationResume and interview preparationCollege exposureInternshipsWork-based learningCivic and professional skills
Some activities support more than one service area. Figures describe activities and events, not unique participants or annual outcomes.CAP objectives
Goals supported by this service area.
The same eight objectives are used across CAP's affiliate network.
Resource connection
Youth gain knowledge of, referrals to and practical access to services and employment opportunities.
1,005 activities and events across the networkCollege & career readiness
Young people explore careers, training, financial aid, work experience and the pathways that connect learning to goals.
1,146 activities and events across the networkLife skills & prevention
Youth practice decision-making, conflict resolution, communication, coping, money management and positive recreation.
2,812 activities and events across the networkFamily aspirations
Parents strengthen expectations, advocacy and support for their children’s academic and career aspirations.
493 activities and events across the networkOne activity or event may support more than one objective, so these figures should not be added together.
Community resources
Find current programs, jobs and services.
Affiliates maintain public resource boards with local listings and events.
Browse all 31 resource boardsWaukegan resources
View current programs, services, jobs and community updates.
Open board Community profilePilsen resources
View current programs, services, jobs and community updates.
Open board Community profileEast Garfield Park resources
View current programs, services, jobs and community updates.
Open board Community profileFrom the CAP highlights archive
Recent stories from across the network.
These examples show how the service area takes shape in different communities. Figures reflect the supplied monthly reports and are not annualized.
Individual coaching leads to employment
One-on-one resume development and interview preparation helped a youth participant successfully navigate the job market and secure employment.
1:1coaching tailored to the participant
Auburn Gresham Community Committee
A network of youth pathways
A community-bank meeting connected participants to aviation, healthcare, civic engagement, job readiness, mental health supports and work-based learning.
30participants connected to opportunities
Employee Connections
Summer work becomes a launchpad
Students reflected on their One Summer Chicago work experiences, shared completed projects and celebrated the skills and personal growth they gained.
45students completed the summer experience
Westside Community Services OrganizationPowered by neighborhood leadership
Affiliates helping bring this work to life.
This is a starting set drawn from the supplied highlights. Many CAP affiliates contribute across more than one service area.
Waukegan
Employee Connections
Aviation, job readiness, work-based learning and wraparound support.
View affiliate profileEast Garfield Park
Westside Community Services Organization
Summer youth employment, career development and project experience.
View affiliate profilePilsen
Pilsen Community Committee / Legacy Youth Committee
Education, health-science exposure, civic learning and postsecondary support.
View affiliate profileCicero
Cicero Area Project
Leadership, FAFSA guidance, volunteer experience and career preparation.
View affiliate profileNew City
New City Community Committee
Entrepreneurship, public-service exposure and transferable life skills.
View affiliate profileWest Garfield Park
Fathers Who Care
Media exposure, employment resources and community leadership pathways.
View affiliate profileBuild Stronger Communities With Us.
Stay Connected
Sign up for news, stories and opportunities from across the CAP network.