New start
begins here.

We help young adults ages 18-30 find safe shelter and provide resources to build stable, fulfilling, independent lives.

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Our Programs

Empowering young adults toward independence.

Housing

Emergency Shelter

Our network of safe houses and emergency shelters provides immediate support for young adults facing housing insecurity or homelessness.

Development

Career Readiness

Skills training, resume building, and job placement assistance to help young adults secure stable employment and financial independence.

Education

GED & College Support

Educational resources and scholarships to help young adults complete their education and build credentials for better opportunities.

Community

Peer Support Network

Connection with peers who have overcome similar challenges, providing inspiration and practical guidance for those starting their journey.

Wellness

Mental Health Services

Counseling, therapy, and wellness programs to address trauma and build resilience as young adults transition to independence.

Impact

Creating lasting change in young lives.

Success Stories

From homeless to hopeful

Our graduates have gone on to stable housing, college degrees, and career paths that once seemed impossible. Their stories inspire others to take the first step.

Partnerships

Community collaboration

We work with local businesses, colleges, and agencies to create comprehensive support systems for young adults in transition.

Mentorship

Guidance & Support

Our mentorship program pairs young adults with professionals who provide career guidance and personal support throughout their transition.

Advocacy

Systemic change

We advocate for policies that address youth homelessness and provide better support systems for young adults transitioning to independence.

Success Stories

Lives transformed through support.

Working alongside Excel Into Independence has shown me the power of giving youth a chance. Their program transforms lives, and I'm proud to be part of that mission.

Francisco Sosa

Community Partner & Job Corps Counselor

Francisco Sosa

Francisco Sosa, affectionately known as Franco, is 35 years old and works as an Outreach and Admissions counselor for DESI Job Corps on the Illinois OA/CTS contract. He has been honored for his superior work by the Job Corps National Call Center. He is also an enthusiastic alumnus of the Job Corps program.

Sosa grew up in a difficult environment, surrounded by drugs, death, negativity, and incarceration. As a result, he believed minorities were not expected to succeed. He describes his life before Job Corps as boring, unfocused, and void of any goals. After hearing about the Job Corps program, however, Sosa hoped to gain the skills to challenge and prepare himself for the job market. At age 19, he enrolled at the Joliet Job Corps Center and chose Information Technology as his career technical training area.

Although initially homesick, Sosa quickly adapted to the program because it challenged him and made him appreciate the opportunity to work as part of a team. He enjoyed the social skills classes, which allowed him to improve his communication and interpersonal skills. Through the dorm life, he learned about independent living, taking care of himself, and the meaning of responsibility. Living with others gave him the opportunity to use improved interpersonal skills in getting along with roommates and others.

Upon completion of his technical training, Sosa went on to advanced training in Business Office at the Humphrey Job Corps Center in Minnesota. There he completed his training.

Sosa believes that Job Corps taught him to humble himself and helped him become the individual he is today. Sosa enjoys interacting with other staff as he introduces potential students to the benefits of enrolling in and completing the Job Corps Program. "Mentoring youth who have childhoods similar to the one I survived is my passion. It makes me very happy to see a student choose to change his or her life for the better."

Enrollment Information

If you are looking to enroll into the program, you will be required to attend an ORIENTATION SESSION:

Every Friday 10:30 a.m. @ The Northside Workforce Center

5050-5060 North Broadway St., Suite 690

Chicago, IL 60640

No appointment is necessary, walk-ins are welcome.

Mr. Francisco Sosa may be reached by phone at (773)334-4747 or by e-mail at Sosa.Francisco@jobcorps.org.

A chance encounter at a shelter on MLK Day changed everything. Through Excel Into Independence, I went from homeless in Chicago to graduating college and starting a corporate career. They didn't just change my circumstances - they transformed my entire future.

D'Marco

From Homeless to Corporate Success

D'Marco

From Shelter to Success: D'Marco's Journey

It began on MLK Day, 2017, in a homeless shelter on Chicago's South Side. During a community meal service, a conversation with Minister John Harvey from OverFlow Ministries would change my life forever. Through Excel Into Independence and their partnership with OverFlow Ministries, I discovered not just hope, but a clear path forward.

The Journey Begins Within just three weeks of that pivotal meeting, I was enrolled at Philander Smith College. With nothing but a suitcase and a worn duffle bag, I took a leap of faith - boarding a Megabus from Chicago to Little Rock, Arkansas, leaving behind everything I knew to pursue education and stability.

Academic Achievements • Maintained consistent Dean's List status (GPA above 3.0) • Selected as student leader for NAACP • Represented college at Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus • Completed internship at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles • Member of the prestigious Omega Psi Phi Fraternity • Earned Bachelor's in Business Administration (2021)

Personal Growth Moving into my first apartment at age 22 marked a significant milestone. Through opportunities provided by Excel Into Independence, I discovered my talents in public speaking and writing, leading to several speaking engagements. The program didn't just help me escape homelessness - it helped me discover who I could become.

Professional Success Today, I'm proud to work in Geico's Management Development Program at their corporate office in Richardson, Texas. This journey from homelessness to corporate success proves that with the right support and determination, any life trajectory can be transformed.

A Message of Gratitude To Ms. Myrtle Jackson, Ms. Tiffany Holloway, Minister John Harvey, and everyone at Excel Into Independence - your selfless service doesn't just provide shelter, it builds futures. You changed my life, and I'm eternally grateful.

My story stands as a testament to what's possible when organizations like Excel Into Independence invest in young people's potential. They don't just offer temporary solutions - they create lasting transformations.

The mentorship I received helped me not just find housing, but build the confidence to pursue my education again.

Quentin

Howard Alum, Class of 2019

Quentin

To whom this may concern,

My matriculation to college wasn't a traditional one. Growing up, college was rarely discussed nor was expected of me during my high school years. By the time I was a graduating senior in 2012 I had no plan for what I wanted to do with my future. During my post-high school years, I worked many dead-end jobs which proved to no avail. Wanting better for myself and better job opportunities. I went to an open enrollment with a friend who was registering for classes at a local community college. That friend led me to start my college journey back in 2015 enrolling at Harold Washington City Colleges of Chicago, with a concentration in business. I never intended on furthering my education at a 4-year university once I earned my associates degree until I connected with Myrtle Jackson who was an old friend of my mother, who invited me to a workshop for young adults who had missed opportunities going into college.

I had a close friend who at the time was attending Howard University School of Business who had encouraged me to apply for the next fall semester. During the workshop I expressed my interest in attending Howard to Ms. Jackson and she was fully supportive of that goal. During my last year of community college Ms. Jackson kept in contact with me making sure I kept my grades up and submitted my college application on time. In the spring of 2017 I received my acceptance letter from Howard University School of Business for the fall semester.

Transfering in at the age of 24 I was a bit older than a traditional college student and amongst my peers as well. Despite my age difference my experience was very enriching and changed me for the better. Not only have I made lifelong friends who I still keep in touch with till this very day. Attending Howard University has contributed immensely to my character development, problem solving skills, and even improved my people skills that I use in everyday life now. I attribute that to the rigorous courses that challenged and put me out of my comfort zone thus proving to myself I can achieve anything I put my mind to. It was truly a flourishing experience serving as an ultimate life hack for me looking back. College was a fun experience but it had its fair share of hardships. I don't say this to discourage anyone from following their goals to higher education but anything you set to achieve in life there will always be a challenge.

I eventually graduated in the spring of 2019 with my bachelors degree in supply chain management. I was fortunate to land a full time job right out of college working as a procurement specialist for an amazing infrastructure company in the greater D.C area, up until the covid pandemic hit in 2020. Today I have switched roles and now working for a private consulting firm in Maryland where I help solve everyday problems which I attribute to my Howard experience. Even though the pandemic has brought unforeseen changes to my career path I remain optimistic for the near future.

I am not sure if I would be where I am today if it wasn't for Myrtle Jackson and her amazing program. What was once seen as an impossible feat was made a reality thanks to her. I am forever grateful for her help.

Help us empower more young adults to find stability and build independent lives with dignity and purpose.

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