Chinese Mutual Aid Association

Department of Education and Workforce Development (DEWD): 
EMPLOYMENT
DEWD helps immigrants, refugees, and other residents of Chicago's Uptown community achieve economic self-sufficiency through comprehensive employment services. CMAA specializes in placing those who have the hardest time finding jobs, especially individuals who do not speak English and have cultural barriers to overcome. CMAA also works with Uptown's large homeless population to help find employment. The quality of DEWD also attracts many native-born Americans who take advantage of the job services available. In addition to job placement, staff evaluates work skills and works with employers to make sure CMAA clients fit their needs. 1500 individuals were served in 2008. Currently, DEWD is looking to expanding the Certified Nurse's Assistant (CNA) program, discussed in detail below.

Certified Nurse's Assistant (CNA) Program
Since 2001, CMAA has partnered with Illinois Department of Public Health-approved training facilities to help  low-income immigrants, refugees and others train to be Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs).  The program offers a six-week intensive practicum with classroom theory and hands-on clinical training.  The program usually trains 40-80 students per year depending on funding. Currently, the program is funded through the generosity of private healthcare foundations, especially Michael Reese Health Trust.

The CNA program meets the tuition and transportation needs of qualified students and also provides them with uniforms, stethoscopes, and textbooks. CMAA also pays for the Student Certification Exam the first time it is taken by the student. Once the students pass the Certification exam and fulfill pre-employment requirements they can work as CNAs in Illinois. Some students continue their training to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurses (RNs).

Job Placement
In 2008, 1,512 individuals came to CMAA seeking employment. 151 of these were placed in jobs and another 605 were referred to programs both within and outside of CMAA to improve their vocational or language skills.

Bilingual brochure 2008 PDF documents are attached.