BETHEL MAKING FINAL SELECTIONS FOR ITS FIFTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM CLASS

Bethel is currently completing the final screening process for selecting participants for the fifth cohort of its Entrepreneurship Training Program (ETP). The ETP program is offered through the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bethel New Life (SBDC) and is a highly competitive 14-15 week commitment where participants take part in classes on business plans, marketing, financing, accounting, risk management, legal issues, and more. This is followed by a year of personal mentoring from one of 31 volunteer business leaders.

13 PARTICIPANTS GRADUATE FROM BETHEL’S ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PROGRAM CLASS

On January 23, 2015 participants from Bethel’s latest Advanced Manufacturing Program (AMT) class graduated with the credentials and experience needed to prepare them for a rewarding new career.

Bethel operates the AMT program for West Side residents with classes covering academic skills, employment readiness training, and three weeks of introduction to manufacturing training before additional hard skills training in advanced manufacturing.

Over a 16-week period, participants also earn two high-demand CNC credentials in lathe and mill, and also acquire the necessary National Institute of Metal-

WEST SIDE FORWARD> WEB SITE GETS A NEW LOOK

Bethel New Life is embarking on an ambitious "expedition" to transform Chicago’s West Side by alleviating concentrated poverty within the community through a newly launched effort called West Side Forward>. West Side Forward> now serves as the framework around which all of Bethel’s programs and activities are centered. We believe that by making smart,strategic, sustainable investments we can move an entire community out of poverty.

Based on our thirty-five years of experience and decades of poverty research, we know that making investments in education and community economic development will be most likely to create transformative results.

BETHEL’S CEO SPEAKS ON PANEL AT LUTHERAN SERVICES IN AMERICA CEO ACADEMY

Bethel’s President & CEO, Lori Vallelunga, recently spoke on a panel during the CEO Academy hosted by Lutheran Services of America. The event was held from February 1 - 4, 2015 in Safety Harbor Florida.

Each year, the CEO Academy gathers the chief executives of Lutheran social ministry organizations from around the country for candid discussions, takeaways, camaraderie and ongoing reliable support - all wrapped in a trusted environment of faith and mission.

During the panel, Dr. Valleunga and other CEOs spoke on leadership and leading nonprofit organizations, as well as the challenges of transforming organizations.