Success Stories

Graduates from the Manufacturing Connect and Young Manufacturers Association programs

Mandrell

2021: Completed YMA Training Program
2021 – Present: Berry Global
Read more about Mandrell here
 

Isaiah

2021: Graduated Academy of Scholastic Achievement, MC Completer, YMA Member
2021 – Present: FosterWorks
Read more about Isaiah here. 
 

Terrence

2011: Graduated Austin Polytech Academy, MC Completer, YMA Member
2014 – Present: Tool and Die Maker at Dudek & Bock Spring Manufacturing
2018: Graduated from the TMA Tool and Die Apprentice Program
 

Rahkeem

2012: Graduated Austin Polytech Academy, MC Completer, YMA Member
2012 – 2018: Machinist and Union Steward at Paasche Airbrush
2018 – 2019:  Machinist at Krygier Design Inc. 
2019 – Current:  CNC Lathe Operator/Programmer at L&J Technologies

Jazzmine

2018: Graduated from Austin College & Career Academy, MC Completer and YMA Member
2018: Enrolled at Wilbur Wright College, as Computer Engineering Major
2017 – Present:  Packaging Machine Operator at Ferrara Candy Company 
 

Travis

2018: Graduated from Austin College & Career Academy as Valedictorian, MC Completer
Job Shadowed at Chicago Metal Supply and completed Summer Job at Dudek & Bock Spring Manufacturing
2018: Enrolled at Paul Quinn College, Dallas Texas as Engineering Major
 

Deandre

2017: Graduated Austin College & Career Academy, MC Completer, YMA Member
2017 – Present:  Assembler at Freedman Seating Company
2018: Enrolled at Daley College for Advanced Machining courses

Christian

2018: Graduated Austin College & Career Academy, MC Completer
2018: Enrolled at University of IL at Urbana-Champaign as Robotics Engineering Major

Shameka

2018: Graduated Austin College & Career Academy, MC Completer, YMA Member
2018 – Present:  Packaging Machine Operator at Ferrara Candy Company

Kyana

2019: Graduated Austin College & Career Academy, MC Completer, YMA Member
2019 – Present:  Mogul Operator at Ferrara Candy Company
​"If more people had jobs like these, there would be a whole lot less violence"
RAHKEEM
Machinist and Union Steward at Paasche Airbrush Inc.

AWARDS

Recognition of our accomplishments and leadership

Community Empowerment Award

Manufacturing Renaissance is humbled to have received the Community Empowerment Award at the 3rd Annual 4th Revolution Awards presented by MHub and MxD on October 2, 2019 at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Civic Leadership Academy Fellowship

MR’s Executive Director, Erica Staley was accepted into the 2018 Cohort. CLA is a competitive, interdisciplinary leadership development program for emerging leaders in the non-profit and local government.

USDOL Grant Award

Manufacturing Renaissance was awarded 2.7 million through a competitive grant process by the US Department of Labor’s Youth Career Connect program in 2014. MR was the only grant recipient in the State of Illinois.