Putting Chicago To Work

A 33-year-old single mom working as a cashier in North Carolina, making $45K a year, just bought a $350K townhome — without putting any money down.

She did it through Habitat for Humanity’s program, trading 200 hours of “sweat equity” instead of cash. That meant helping build homes, taking homeownership classes, and putting in volunteer time at their ReStore.

From there, Habitat helped her secure a low-interest loan with payments capped at 27% of her income — landing her monthly payment right around $1,100.

Did you know Habitat for Humanity had such an amazing homeownership program?

This public resource started as "Christopher Watts Presents: The Chicagoland Jobs Board" in 2010. It has undergone a few name changes over the past decade plus. This public resource, public in that it is not a closed group or private (you do not need to be a member or Facebook account holder to view the content), has "expanded to include education, career training, housing, financial literacy, technology access and social issues.

I cannot directly contact anyone on this page unless the account holder messages me first or replies to a post. When contact is initiated first by a member, I can see things such as if the person is a member of the page or just visits, interactions (like, shares, comments, etc) and the "class" (Facebook rates members by interaction).

This public service expanded its content to meet the needs of the audience. For example, 70% of the members are women. 74% reside in Chicago while 26% reside in areas not Chicago (suburbs, NWI Indiana, etc). This public service receives dozens of messages daily (no less than 30) requesting specific information and assistance.

This public service has also been requested to "ignite a conversation" around social issues, such as the importance of voting, black reparations, community ownership, living wages, rent control and more -- all that has NOTHING to do with jobs or "Putting Chicago To Work. "

70% of the members on this page are women but when I make post such as "men not catcalling" or "men not giving nicknames to women they do not know", 90% of the engagement is men despite men representing 30% of the page. Why do more men, mostly men who are not members, respond? Because they feel targeted. Women do not respond because they are not the ones catcalling other women or giving women they do not know nicknames.

When I post about black reparations, social justice or police brutality, I get a majority overwhelming response from non-members not from Chicago who do not have real photos on their page. The overwhelming minority Chicagoans on this page do not become offended or "hyper engaged".

Summarily, people do not respond to things that does not apply to them.

When there is a post that talks of the advantages of homeownership, this is not an attack on renters. However, it over engaged by "offended renters". When there is a post about minimum wage being more than $0, people unhappy with their current earnings, if any, are over engaged.

Please note that I do not know most of the people on this public service. We have never met or engaged. I know absolutely nothing about most members besides the insights provided by Facebook -- nothing personal that you did not agree to allow Facebook to share.

The "non employment related posts" will continue. Homeownership posts will continue. Reparations posts will continue. If you do not like it or it does not fit you, just ignore it.

- Putting Chicago To Work

🚨HOW TO PREPARE FOR A RECESSION🚨

Preparing for a recession involves strengthening your financial foundation and creating a safety net. Here are 5 key actions to take:

1) Build a Robust Emergency Fund:
Aim for 3 to 6 months' worth of essential living expenses in a readily accessible savings account. This will provide a cushion if you lose your job or face unexpected expenses.

2) Reduce High-Interest Debt:
Prioritize paying down high-interest debt, such as credit card balances. This will free up cash flow and reduce your financial burden during a downturn.

3) Review and Adjust Your Budget:
Carefully examine your spending habits and identify areas where you can cut back. Focus on essential expenses and eliminate unnecessary spending.

4) Diversify Income Streams:
Consider exploring opportunities to generate additional income, such as a side hustle or part-time work. This can provide a financial buffer during uncertain times.

5) Review and Update Your Resume & Network:
Ensure your resume is up-to-date and actively network with professional contacts. This will be beneficial if you need to seek new employment.

By taking these steps, you can enhance your financial resilience and better navigate a potential recession.

Mark your calendar! The Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation is hosting a Career Fair!
June 3rd: 10:30AM–12:30PM
mHUB: 1623 W. Fulton St.
Whether you’re preparing for your first job or looking for new opportunities, this event is designed to help you level up your future. RSVP now on Eventbrite to secure your spot!