A Burr Ridge, Illinois law firm that advises real estate professionals, Codilis & Associates and its employees donate to and volunteer at local charities. Codilis and Associates assists the Cara Collective, formerly the Cara Program, to improve the local economy and benefit individuals who need it most.
The Cara Collective began in 1991 when entrepreneur Tom Owens began offering job interview preparation to individuals experiencing homelessness and lower-income residents by using his car as a makeshift office. He drew upon his preexisting contacts to place these individuals in positions where companies needed employees most. In modern times, the Cara Collective continues this mission by providing career experience or personalized job training that accounts for experience gained outside formal academics. In particular, it helps applicants find roles in temporary positions around Chicago as a stepping stone to applying for more permanent jobs later.
Since its founding, the Cara Collective has served nearly 8,200 individuals and placed them in almost 13,400 jobs. About 79 percent of applicants obtain permanent housing within one year of beginning their job. Beneficiaries have earned over $1.5 million since 1991, with a conversion rate of $5.97 contributed to Chicago’s economy for every dollar donated.
