Make a difference

At NLEN, we believe in the power of community engagement. Join us in making a difference through various opportunities that extend beyond financial contributions.

CAREERS AT NLEN

Join the team creating a community that works.

At NLEN, we don’t just offer jobs — we build futures.

We’re a team of changemakers, mentors, and innovators working together to reduce unemployment, support returning citizens, and close the racial wealth gap — one job at a time.

If you’re passionate about social impact, equity, and economic empowerment, you’ll feel right at home here.

Browse open positions

GET INVOLVED

Volunteer and make an impact.

At NLEN, there are so many ways to get involved and give back. Volunteer opportunities at NLEN are primarily group-oriented.

We’ve hosted volunteer groups for everything from planting native plants on our campus, to running mock interviews to support our program participants, to packing hygiene kits for our LISC Chicago Financial Opportunity Center® resource room, to supporting our annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway where we distribute hundreds of turkeys and Thanksgiving sides to families in need.

Ways to give back:

Mentorship Programs: Volunteer to be a mentor to one — or several — of our program participants.
Event Support: Table at an upcoming NLEN event and get ready to get inspired by the people you meet.
Community Service Days: Plant native perennials and pollinators to help our bees on their sweet honey-making journey.

Ready to get involved? Email info@nlen.org

Team-building experiences

One of our most popular volunteer opportunities doubles as team building.

Our Sweet Beginnings social enterprise invites teams of all sizes to spend the afternoon getting hands-on in creating our signature beelove® products. Tour our bee hives, join the assembly line in our production facility, and learn directly from our program participants about how we use the power of honey to break barriers to employment.

The sweet bonus: At the end of your visit, you get to take home the products you've created!

Explore team building experiences

Donate

Change lives in North Lawndale

Your investment makes it possible for individuals with barriers to employment to move forward on their pathway to self-sufficiency and brighter futures.

Give today

$25

Provides a transit card for job seekers attending our programs or traveling to job interviews

$75

Provides new tools, uniforms, sturdy shoes, or tech equipment to job seekers starting work

$150

Provides mental health support, job training certifications, or professional support services to individuals seeking a new beginning