Project Wright Access
Noel McNally
nmcnally@ccc.edu
Project Wright Access will create a workforce pathway for young adults with developmental and cognitive disabilities. Wilbur Wright College has partnered with Chicago Public Schools to train students with intellectual and related disabilities to ensure they are ready to meet the specific staffing needs of local employers like you.
“Individuals with disabilities bring endless skills to the workforce and we hope this project shows other employers what an asset they are to all of us.”
-Marc Schulman, President of Eli’s Cheesecake
2023-25 Impact
- 40 participants
- 8 business partners
- 13 participants employed
- 2.5x higher employment rate than national average for people with disabilities
- 100% of students obtained food handlers’ certification
Our Partners
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DECO) has funded Project Wright Access for more than $800,000 over 4 years (2022-2026) through
the Job Training and Economic Development grant.
- Jacqueline B. Vaughn Occupational High School and Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences serve large numbers of diverse learners in their vocational transition programs for youth 18-22 and have ties with both Wright College and Eli’s Cheesecake.
- Eli’s Cheesecake is our founding sponsor of on-the-job training and employer.
- New partners include Plot Twist Used Books, Horse Thief Hollow, Lurie Children’s Hospital, and Mariano’s.
Wilbur Wright College has been at the forefront of this work by partnering with Vaughn Occupational High School in the creation of
the Community, Occupational, Recreational and Educational(CORE) Program. This program provides a college experience to students that historically have been denied college access.
Benefits of Partnership
| Receive holistic support with recruitment and placement of pre-screened applicants who have the skills you need |
Utilize custom job training for candidates, including industry certifications, soft skills, and postplacement job coaching on-site |
Save money on recruitment and training, engage new markets, and receive IRS tax benefits |
Meet DEI goals, grow inclusive culture, and enhance reputation in the community |
Please help by exploring part-time employment opportunities directly supported by Wilbur Wright College. Businesses should contact Noel McNally, Project Wright Access Program Director at nmcnally@ccc.edu to participate in this groundbreaking initiative.
