Vision
i.c.stars was formed in 1999 to develop 1,000 Community Leaders by 2020. We are a non-profit organization in Chicago for adults with a high school diploma or GED.
Using project-based learning and full immersion teaching, i.c. stars provides an opportunity for change-driven, future leaders to develop skills in business and technology.
Approach
Our training is project-based. Participants work in teams of 3-4 people on three client projects over the 16-week course of training. This team orientation is intentional. Strong team skills and real experience differentiate our alumni more than any other skill. After the initial 16-week course, participants work with i.c.stars career services to find full-time work in the Information Technology and Internet professions. Career services are available to participants for the next 3-5 years of their career based on their individual efforts at personal and professional development. i.c.stars alums are eligible for special admission and automatic acceptance into the DePaul CTI or School for New Learning bachelors programs. i.c.stars runs 4 cycles of training each year with 10-15 participants in each cycle.
Employers
i.c.stars graduates get good jobs. We have had more jobs than graduates and 100% placement for the last four training cycles. We have placed alumni at major organizations including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Allstate, Grainger, Hewitt Associates, Accenture, Dade Behring, Siemens, Insight, Juno Lighting, ThoughtWorks, The Northern Trust, Microsoft, PepsiCo, CNA, Exelon, Loyola University, and Sonnenschein. Our participant population has an average annual income before the program of $11,600. The annual salary after the first year following the program ranges from $34,000-60,000, and $48,000-75,000 after 3 years on the job. Corporations utilize i.c.stars as a temporary IT staffing agency where a portion of the billable fees go to support the next cycle of training and create a self-sustaining form of income for the program that is also mission-related.
Participants
i.c.stars attracts candidates through a variety of partnerships and outreach programs with job training organizations, Chicago Public Schools, The Alternative Schools network, and Community Job Fairs and media. Using multiple interviews and written assessments, candidates are screened for experience overcoming adversity. Our participants have developed a set of resiliency skills that create a profound sense of purpose and ambition for long term community leadership. The same resiliency skills that form the basis of community leadership, also form the basis for business leadership. Our participants stand out from their competitors in the job market as a result of their ability to overcome adversity and thrive in the high pressure, high stress environment of technology and the internet.
Patrons
The i.c.stars organization is supported by Foundation grants, Corporate Sponsorships, Events, and Individuals' contributions. We actively engage our patrons as volunteers and members of the i.c.stars community of over 11,000 stakeholders in Chicago. i.c.stars leadership mission and vision attracts a very hands-on set of supporters who enjoy providing direction and seeing an organization respond to that direction very quickly. We are also fortunate to attract an entrepreneurial set of supporters who are helping us in the journey to identify and manage self-sustaining forms of income.
Board and volunteers
i.c.stars has a very active board of directors who participate through committees in driving and managing the organization towards its vision. Those committees and the program are fortunate to work with 400-700 volunteers each year. Volunteers range from 1 hour per year "high tea" speakers, to 2 hours per week committee members.
Community Impact
i.c.stars measures its progress towards 1,000 Community Leaders through the efforts of its alums to bring much needed changes to our local communities by making opportunities for others. While measuring the changes in earnings and employment are relatively easy, measuring "leadership" is ultimately our fundamental challenge as a board and an organization. i.c.stars graduates are creating Community Policing programs, setting up Chambers of Commerce, serving on their Local School Councils, teaching and mentoring at non-profits, creating companies that employ residents, and building websites that enable local organizations to meet the needs of residents.
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