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New Mother Initiative

Getting a job or education can be tough when you are pregnant or caring for newborns. It is even tougher when you are living with HIV.

In 2016 our moms and their case managers let us know they needed help with their financial, educational, and workforce goals.

Launched in 2017 and funded by Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA/Chicago) the New Mothers Initiative (NMI) focuses on and supports moms living with HIV who need to add skills and find jobs.

Our staff helps moms get linked to specific vocational training resources. Through one-on-one meetings, clients and staff work together to create a personalized plan to achieve each participant’s goals.

MACA hosts Career Counseling Fairs where community agencies specializing in vocational training and employment services are invited to offer their resources to our mothers.

Depending on the individual needs, we support:

  • Childcare costs
  • Transportation for interviews
  • Uniforms and career clothing
  • Resume assistance
  • Class and testing fees
  • Books and materials

NMI program partners have included donors of funding, resources and facilities: DIFFA/Chicago, City Colleges of Chicago, Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC), Chicago House, No Adult Left Behind, Chicago Public Library – Austin Branch, New Moms, Chicago Women in Trades and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

To directly support our New Mother Initiative, please contact development@maca-us.org.  For example, some of our donors pledge $100 per mom per year. Some have donated new or gently used women’s professional clothing.

COVID-19

For more on how we are managing COVID-19 impacts or to help our mission, please visit our COVID-19 Response page.