Made in Chicago. By Chicagoans. For Chicagoans.
As a company, our top priority is providing jobs to locals. We believe that creating manufacturing jobs with good pay, good benefits, and good working conditions is the key to growing the global middle class and aggregate demand that is needed to power the economy. Without good pay, workers cannot become powerful consumers. And without the rights they deserve, workers lack the economic stability they need before making big investments in themselves, their children, and their societies.
As a company, our top priority is to provide jobs to locals. We are creating traditional opportunities, that offer benefits (health, dental, 401k), good work environment, and a place to develop them. By creating this social capital, the community begins to change, it creates an ecosystem in which we can be proud.
These manufacturing jobs are not only a driver of economic growth—they are also the vehicle through which economic growth is broadly shared to raise living standards city-wide.
Made in Chicag
MADE IN CHICAGO.
BY CHICAGOANS.
FOR CHICAGOANS.
Made in Chicag
MADE IN CHICAGO.
BY CHICAGOANS.
FOR CHICAGOANS.
MEET SOME OF THE TEAM
The Will Group is also opening up possibilities and giving second chances to ex-offenders living in Chicago.
“Women have a place in manufacturing and we have skills that perfectly contribute to these jobs. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty to get the job done. Whatever I do represents me so I give my all to the things I do. That’s how I know it’s going to be done right. If you have the skills and capability to be successful, you can do whatever you put your mind to do. Do not allow the unknown or unforeseen limit you. See success in your mind, embrace the changes in your journey and claim your own success.”
LaDonna, Logistics Manager
Just looking for an opportunity
OPPORTUNITY IS ALWAYS WHERE YOU ARE. AND NEVER WHERE YOU WERE.
Just looking for an opportunity
OPPORTUNITY IS ALWAYS WHERE YOU ARE. AND NEVER WHERE YOU WERE.
Lyons View’s Partnership with St. Sabina
Violence Intervention Program | STRONG FUTURES
The Strong Futures initiative first began in June 2016 as a pilot by the City of Chicago, Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) in partnership with St. Sabina Church. Strong Futures addresses the needs of disconnected young adult males, between the ages of 18-28, who are justice-involved and/or have other barriers to stability by connecting them with full-time employment.
Strong Futures provides intensive coaching, comprehensive wrap-around services, and support that will enable them to stabilize economically, retain employment, and develop into productive, responsible men in society. Lyons View is proud to partner with Strong Futures, and currently employs young men from the program.
GOALS
The Strong Futures model was designed to create a more efficient way to service young men by connecting them to existing workforces and supportive resources, thereby paving a way for them to be successful in the workplace. The goal is to increase the chances of participants to be able to identify and sustain meaningful employment. This is accomplished by providing intensive coaching and mentoring, as well as aligning the efforts among service providers across the city.
RESULTS
As of November 2017, the Strong Futures Program has 43 of its 61 participants employed in a full-time capacity, and an additional 14 of its 61 participants are currently employed either part-time or are in job training paid internships. Overall employment rate is currently at 93%! The program currently has two members who went on to enroll in college full-time as well. The Strong Futures team has also assisted several individuals with securing permanent housing in the community.
“We provide training, resume building, we interview candidates, and if they meet our expectations, then we are happy to provide them with a 401K, a competitive salary, health care, and dental care. They are some of our most loyal employees. To give someone a second chance and see their chest rise with confidence and pride – that’s what our company is all about.”
Copy of Copy of ASSEMBLE
WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY.
Copy of Copy of ASSEMBLE
WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY.
Giving Back To The Community
Not only does The Will Group serve its employees, but also the Chicago community. Our company does toy giveaways during Christmastime, volunteers locally, and donates to foundations and organizations in the community. Steve Davis, Chairman of The Will Group, founded The Tuskegee NEXT Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that provides programs to immerse young urban at-risk men and women in an intensive eight-week aviation class. Whether or not they continue their careers in aviation does not matter to Steve – what matters is that the students learn about themselves and all the possibilities that are waiting for them in the world.
“Our company’s motto is, Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way. Thanks to the Smart City Street Lighting Project, our company has been able to expand. Opposed to having our 15,000 square foot facility, we are now growing into a 60,000 square foot facility , all as a spring-broad to the Smart City Street Light Project. We do have an ex-offender re-entry program, in which we actually do hire ex-offenders and allow them employment at Lyons View. We believe that everyone should have an opportunity, especially right here in Chicago. Often times individuals are overlooked when all they really need is an opportunity.
That second chance gives our employees a sense of pride when they see the lights they have assembled in throughout the city.”
- Joshua Davis, President, Lyons View