WHAT OTHER COLLEGE STUDENT SUPPORT DOES CHA PROVIDE TO ITS RESIDENTS?
For information on CHA’s college funding support visit our CHA Scholarship and Partners in Education pages.
Project Soar
CHA Residents (ages 14-20) can receive one-on-one coaching from an Education Program Specialist to support post-high school plans, or to assist in continued post-secondary enrollment through Project S.O.A.R (Students + Outcomes + Achievements = Results).
Think of an Education Program Specialist as an extra coach for future success that can help to:
- FIND THE RIGHT COLLEGE OR PROGRAM – identify schools and programs that are a good match and fit
- COMPLETE APPLICATIONS – including college admissions, program and scholarship applications
- SAVE MONEY – help to complete the FAFSA, maximize financial aid & find scholarships
- PERSIST TO GRADUATION – help through common college ‘road blocks,’ identify internships and summer employment opportunities, build a network for future success
This opportunity is specifically for CHA Public Housing Residents; Education Program Specialists serve region by home zip code listed below. Services through CHA’s S.O.A.R program are entirely free and participation is voluntary. If you have any questions about the program, please call (312) 786-3409 or email education@thecha.org
Complete the PROJECT SOAR Consent Form and reach out to your Education Program Specialist below!
See how CHA’s SOAR program offers one-on-one coaching from our Education Program Specialists to support post-high school plans and assist in continued post-secondary enrollment. Think of it as an extra coach for future success!
MEET OUR PROGRAM SPECIALISTS
GRANT VITALE
Serving Public Housing Youth Ages 14-20 at Dearborn Homes, Cabrini Area, Scattered Sites
Zip Codes include: 60607, 60610, 60613, 60614, 60616, 60622, 60624, 60625, 60626, 60630, 60634, 60639, 60640, 60641, 60642, 60644, 60645, 60646, 60647, 60651, 60656, 60657, 60660
Grant Vitale is committed and dedicated to supporting Chicago youth, especially youth who are first-generation college students and low-income. As an Education Navigator with the CHA, he is thrilled and excited to work with Project SOAR youth and families to support them in achieving their academic and career goals. Grant earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and a Minor in Marketing from Old Dominion University.
ASHLEY THOMPSON
asthompson@thecha.org
Serving Public Housing Youth Ages 14-20 at Oakwood Shores, Lake Park, Horner Westhaven, West End, City Gardens, ABLA, Lawndale & Bridgeport
Zip Codes include: 60608, 60612, 60615, 60623, 60653
Ashley Thompson is passionate about providing high school youth and young adults with opportunities for educational and professional development. She earned a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) and a Masters in Educational Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).
Ashley Ryan
aryan@thecha.org
Serving Public Housing Youth Ages 14-20 at Altgeld Gardens, Wentworth Gardens, Trumbull Park Homes, Washington Park and Scattered Sites
Zip Codes include: 60609, 60617, 60620, 60621, 60628, 60629, 60632, 60636, 60637, 60638, 60643, 60649, 60652, 60827
Ashley Ryan will be serving Centers for New Horizons and Employment & Employer Services FamilyWorks providers. Within her 3 years of experience, she has worked with youth to prepare them for leadership, college and career counseling, financial aid awareness and youth development. Her education portfolio includes a Bachelors Degree in Family and Consumer Science and a Masters Degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University. She looks forward to working with students and helping them S.O.A.R to college success!
Coursera
Illinois residents can now join Coursera, an online learning platform where millions of learners from around the world come to develop the career-relevant skills necessary to remain competitive in a rapidly changing job market. Many of the world’s top company and industry educators partner with Coursera to offer courses and professional certificates aimed at preparing individuals for high-demand jobs.
In partnership with Coursera for Governments and the Coursera Workforce Recovery Initiative, Coursera is providing Illinois dislocated workers with access to online courses at no cost through the end of 2020. Learn more and get started by clicking here.