One of the challenges refugee job seekers in Chicago face is transportation.
When refugees and migrants seek support from Upwardly Global, they often don’t have a job. And if they do, they’re what the team calls “survival jobs” – jobs they need to take to get by. But they can be highly demanding on time and energy, and don’t leave a lot behind to support the search for something different that might suit their skills a bit better.
So for our second day with Upwardly Global, we’re solving one problem for a group of job seekers – an easier way to get around.
We got 10 cards good for $50 each, that job seekers can use toward Chicago’s public transportation system.
“Public transportation, while it’s accessible and everywhere, it adds up,” says Favin from the Upwardly Global team. “It’s the idea of alleviating that and removing that barrier for them for a little while.”
These professionals don’t have the odds on their side when it comes to landing a job that they’re qualified for – there can just be so many obstacles in the way. But this is one thing they won’t have to worry about for a while.
And hopefully, it’ll be just what they need to land the job they’re looking for.
“It’s about making the commute a little easier,” said Favin. “Taking one less thing off their plate.”
Give a listen to what Favin has to say about this bright idea!
