JVS Career & Employment

JCFS Chicago received an AARP Foundation grant in February to help fund job training for individuals over 50 through Project EM.

It’s probably no surprise that jobseekers face emotional challenges while looking for that next position.

“I think a lot of it is the employment marketplace today. People feel qualified and apply to positions, get interviews, maybe second interviews, but never hear from anyone again,” said JVS Career Counselor Sandra Saltzman. “That is a frustration."

When Alan reflects on his career and personal journey since working with JVS Career & Employment, he can’t believe how far he has come.

People turn to JVS Career & Employment when they need help with their job search. Oftentimes, after gaining employment, those same people will contact JVS to share a career update.

In the early 2000s, Sarah was struggling to pay her bills while living in Chicago and attending medical school. Her grueling academic schedule didn’t allow time for a job to help. A classmate, who also was Jewish, told her about a JVS Career & Employment scholarship offered to Jewish students studying in the health field.

When Alex moved from Israel to be closer to family in the Chicago suburbs, he did not have a plan in place for employment.

“My transition to the U.S. was a little stressful,” he admits.

Among the hundreds of negative effects the pandemic caused people across the United States, one of the most distressing was the rapid rise in unemployment and underemployment. People who had been working in the same industries and companies for years suddenly saw their lives upended

The “EM” in Project EM represents: Employment, Empowerment, and Embracing new opportunities. The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA) created the program two years ago as a direct response to Covid-driven unemployment.

When Natalie’s job turned into a toxic work environment, she left the position after 15 years and turned to JVS Career Services, lacking self-confidence and unsure of her next steps.  

Sergio Camarillo was an exceptional person, not only at JCFS but with everyone he met throughout his life. Thus, it was with much sadness to everyone who knew him when he passed away from Covid-19 last year. The Sergio Camarillo Impact Award was created to honor his memory and legacy.