THE MISSION OF SKILLS IS TO STAND AS A LIFE-CHANGING EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE CONNECTING UNDERREPRESENTED JOB SEEKERS TO EMPLOYERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS INDUSTRIES. WE DO THIS BY BUILDING MULTI-LEVEL, TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR EMPLOYER PARTNERS TO BREAK DOWN BARRIERS IN THE HIRING PROCESS AND CONNECT THEM TO OVERLOOKED TALENT. WE WORK WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PREPARE UNEMPLOYED TALENT FOR JOBS AND TO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ENSURE THOSE PLACED CAN STAY IN THOSE JOBS. THE VAST MAJORITY OF SKILLS' CANDIDATES COME FROM DISINVESTED COMMUNITIES ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES OF CHICAGO, WHICH EXPERIENCE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES 3-5X HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. SKILLS COLOCATES IN OFFICES IN SOUTH, WEST AND SOUTHWEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS TO MAKE ITS SERVICES CONVENIENT TO JOB SEEKERS AND TO MAINTAIN A CLOSE PULSE ON COMMUNITY NEEDS.