READI Chicago Program Earns National Recognition from Mutual of America

NEW YORK, March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Heartland Alliance will be recognized by Mutual of America for its READI Chicago program during a special hometown luncheon and award presentation at the Palmer House in Chicago on March 19 at 12:00 p.m. The program was named a Merit Finalist Award recipient in the Mutual of America 2018 Community Partnership Award competition, which received entries from organizations nationwide.

READI Chicago (Rapid Employment and Development Initiative) was launched in 2017 by Heartland Alliance, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to advancing the human rights of marginalized populations around the world, in partnership with the University of Chicago Crime and Poverty Labs and six other service organizations to address the root causes of gun violence in four of the city's hardest-hit neighborhoods.

The program recognizes that many individuals at a high risk to commit or to be victimized by gun violence lack access to mental-health counseling, life-skills support, and job training and placement. Moreover, it pairs paid employment up to 29 hours per week with regular participation in individual and group-based cognitive behavioral therapy, coaching and other support services. At the end of 18 months, participants can access an additional six months of case management and coaching to help them successfully transition to unsubsidized employment.

"READI Chicago set bold and courageous goals ? to engage nearly 1,200 of the hardest to reach young men in our city and to connect 500 of them to our innovative program by this spring," said Evelyn Diaz, President of Heartland Alliance. "I am proud to say that together we are well on our way to achieving this goal. As of a few weeks ago, we had engaged more than 825 people in READI Chicago, and 430 have been connected to a transitional job. Nearly 60% of our participants are actively working."

About the Mutual of America Community Partnership Award
The Mutual of America Community Partnership Award annually honors the outstanding contributions that nonprofit organizations, in partnership with public, private and other social sector organizations, make to society. Since 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 230 partnerships from cities and towns across America. To watch videos of all of the national award-winning programs, visit the Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award channel on YouTube.

About Mutual of America
Mutual of America is a leading provider of retirement products, offering personalized service at a competitive price to help plan participants and individuals build and preserve assets for a financially secure future. Integrity, prudence and reliability are the values that have guided us since our inception in 1945 and that continue to serve us well. For more information, visit mutualofamerica.com, and connect with us via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Mutual of America