Chicago-based community organization, Instituto del Progreso Latino (Instituto), has announced the opening of a college that will prepare Latinos and other underrepresented communities for high-demand, middle-skills jobs by offering them access to lower-tuition Associate’s Degrees, starting with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing in the fall of 2018.
The new Instituto college is being funded by JPMorgan Chase & Co as part of its commitment to invest $40 million over three years to create economic opportunities in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods on the South and West Sides with a focus on job skills training, revitalizing neighborhoods, investing in small businesses and improving financial health.
According to Karina Ayala-Bermejo, President and CEO of Instituto del Progreso Latino, the Instituto’s programs were built with the mission of connecting the Latino immigrant community with jobs that would lead to stability for the whole family.
“Instituto College expands our ability to serve the greater Chicago community by bringing students high-quality, low-cost education that will help them meet their goals and aspirations while bringing employers the bi-lingual, skilled employees they need to fill critical positions. Many have dreamed about this day for years and with the generous support of JPMorgan Chase, that day has arrived,” the CEO said.
“Education that prepares adults and young people for the job market is the key to creating economic opportunity in underserved neighborhoods. That’s why JPMorgan Chase is proud to support Instituto’s work to do just that within the Latino community in Chicago and other underrepresented communities that are still being left behind,” said Whitney Smith, Head of Midwest Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase.
The college will serve approximately 30 students in its first semester with a goal of reaching 500 learners within five years. In addition to training students for middle-skills positions that Chicago’s employers have trouble filling, the college will also offer students resources such as financial coaching and employment counseling. The Illinois Board of Higher Education has also approved Instituto to provide six programs of study over the next five years.