National nonprofit has supported nearly 3,000 immigrants and refugees in rebuilding lives and careers in Chicago and throughout the Midwest
CHICAGO—September 20, 2019—Upwardly Global, a national nonprofit that supports work-authorized immigrants and refugees in rebuilding lives and professional careers in the United States, will celebrate decade of creating success stories at a “ChiGlo” reception and fundraiser, set for October 16 from 6.30-10.00pm at Venue West (221 N. Paulina, Chicago.)
“For generations, the contributions of newcomers have helped make Chicago the ‘city that works,’” said Rebecca Tancredi, founding director of Upwardly Global’s Chicago office and currently the organization’s national vice president of programs. “And for a decade, Upwardly Global has continued Chicago’s proud heritage. We exist to ensure that everyone—including immigrants and refugees—can fully contribute and thrive in this city. Our program transforms the lives of Chicagoans as it powers Chicago’s economy.”
Since opening its Chicago office in 2009, Upwardly Global’s innovative job coaching and network-building program has supported 3,000 foreign-born professionals in re-launching careers in Chicago and throughout the Midwest, half of whom bring experience in in-demand industries such as healthcare, IT, and finance. The organization also engages a network of area employers, coaching them in building inclusive, equitable hiring practices that embrace the talents of a diverse, future-ready workforce.
Research from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs points to the promise of immigrants and refugees in boosting the demographic and economic vitality of Midwestern cities like Chicago, assuaging recent population loss and the effects of an aging workforce. Yet immigrant and refugees face barriers—ranging from limited professional networks to linguistic hurdles to employment discrimination—in fully contributing their skills, experience, and credentials to local economies. An estimated two million college-educated immigrants and refugees living in the U.S. are either unemployed or underemployed, according to the Migration Policy Institute.
Upwardly Global’s program addresses employment barriers via an innovative job coaching, skill-building, and network-building program designed to connect foreign-born professionals with employers eager to tap the skills of global professionals. In 2018, Upwardly Global’s program alumni earned an average salary of $55,300, contributing $12.5 million in tax revenues; half worked in STEM, healthcare, and finance fields, industries with documented worker shortages.
Proceeds from “ChiGlo: A Decade of Opportunity” will support Upwardly Global’s programs in Chicago and across the country. The event will be headlined by Funkadesi, a Chicago-based band featuring music from across the globe. Tickets and sponsorship details at: https://www.upwardlyglobal.org/events/chicago-gala/
Upwardly Global, founded in 2000, is the leading nonprofit organization in the U.S. helping work-authorized immigrants and refugees successfully translate their education, skills and previous careers into the U.S. workforce. To date, the organization has trained more than 14,000 foreign-educated immigrants and has assisted nearly 7,000 individuals back into their career fields.