Manufacturing Connect: Partnering with Chicago Public Schools
Photo of recent fieldtrip to Matot in Bellwood, IL As Manufacturing Renaissance keeps training young people for jobs in the manufacturing sector, the organization is working to build its capacity to deliver programming in Chicago’s public schools. That’s what has been happening early this year, as the organization takes steps to work directly with four […]
Young Manufacturers Association: Update from Program Participants, Part 2
For Davon Hazelwood, learning about the field of manufacturing in recent weeks has been about learning specific technical skills, how to present himself in job interviews – and what the actual day-to-day activities inside a manufacturing company are like. Hazelwood is participating in the Young Manufacturers Association (YMA) program, Manufacturing Renaissance’s nationally recognized career pathways […]
Getting Started: Latest YMA Training Cohort Underway, Part 1
Davon Hazelwood, fourth from the left in back row. Alexandria Parlor, second from the left in front row. YMA trainees visit to Dakkota Integrated Systems for Manufacturing Day event October 2022. The latest session of the Young Manufacturers Association (YMA), Manufacturing Renaissance’s nationally recognized career pathways program for adults, aged 18-24, started in September. YMA, […]
Profile: Sarah Mercado, MR’s New Director of Career Pathway Services
Sarah Mercado started her position as Director of Career Pathways Services at Manufacturing Renaissance in August of this year. However, her family background and career path prepared her for this work well before this year. She was born in the Dominican Republic; her life there and here has often been tied to social justice issues, […]
A Look at the Future: Students Visit the International Manufacturing Technology Show
For 74 students from John Marshall Metropolitan High School on Chicago’s West Side, the world of manufacturing opened up their eyes in new ways in September. Students attended the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), which was held by the Association for Manufacturing Technology in Chicago between September 12 and September 17. Staff from Manufacturing Renaissance […]
Andrew Crowe: Bringing Youth and Manufacturing Communities Together
Andrew Crowe has seen it all – enough to fill a very long story about his life. These days, he is doing something else: sharing his story and what he has learned to inspire young people in underserved communities about the great potential of working in the manufacturing sector. Andrew “the Mfg” Crowe works to […]
An International Exchange, and Friendship, Continues between Chicago and Australia
Above, Peter Botsman (right) looks on as Chaseley Walker, high school student from Australia (2nd from right) listens to two Austin Polytech students (first two from the left) share their experience in Mr. McIlrath’s math class (2011). Manufacturing Renaissance programs serve youth and young adults in underserved Chicago communities, but the reach and relevance of […]
Welcome Newest Board Member, Lucy Minturn, Founder and CEO, FosterWorks
Young Manufacturers Association Member and Employee of FosterWorks, Isaiah McMullen and Lucy Minturn on the shop floor 2021. Lucy Minturn, Founder and CEO of FosterWorks in Chicago, brings a wide-ranging and diverse set of experiences to the manufacturing field. She purchased FosterWorks in 2020. A native of upstate New York, her career includes 15 years […]
Success Story: Two Brothers On Their Way!
Kevin and William both completed our last YMA Training and worked with DeeDee Jones, MR’s Industry Coordinator, to find good jobs. They both applied to Novolex Duro Bag in Alsip, IL, but only Kevin was called back for an interview. Kevin relies on William, who owns a car, for transportation. Kevin’s interview went well but […]
Looking Forward: Latest Ministers for Manufacturing Meeting Update
The faith community in the region continues to support manufacturing as a tool for social inclusion and sustainable community development through the Ministers for Manufacturing committee of the Chicagoland Manufacturing Renaissance Council (CMRC). On June 21, the committee and stakeholders met at the state-of-the-art Manufacturing Technology & Engineering Center (MTEC) at Daley College. The meeting […]