Did You Know?

Economic opportunities and financial resources such as a stable job breaks the cycle of recidivism. 82% of returning citizens who find steady employment do not recidivate. However, returned citizens have great difficulty finding regular employment, since many businesses will not hire individuals with criminal records.

WHAT IS PERC?

PERC is an innovative program, founded by Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Micro Finance Group, to address the ongoing dilemma of high recidivism rates in the Chicago metropolitan area. PERC provides entrepreneurial training for both incarcerated and previously incarcerated citizens with aspirations of starting or expanding a business. After completing PERC training, eligible participants may apply for small business loans offered by, Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Micro Finance Group.

Through this program, PERC will provide resources to returned and returning citizens by facilitating talent identification, business education, business coaching and mentorship. After completing the PERC training program, eligible participants may apply for specialized financing up to $50,000 through Chicago Neighborhood Initiative Micro Finance Group’s Perks for PERC loan program. PERC intends to create long lasting success for each company by opening doors to the business ecosystem which is typically unavailable for this underserved population.

Program Model

Through this program, PERC will provide opportunities to businesses and entrepreneurs by facilitating talent identification, business education, mentorship/coaching and access to capital. There will also be opportunities upon program completion to access capital through Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Micro Finance Group’s PERKS for PERC loan program. The intent is to create long-lasting success for each company by opening the doors to the business ecosystem which is typically unavailable for this underserved population.

SOFT SKILLS TRAINING
LIFE SKILLS TRAINING
BUSINESS TRAINING
COACHING & MENTORING
ACCESS TO CAPITAL
NETWORKS AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Our Programs

PRE-RELEASE TRAINING

PERC is partnering with Defy Ventures, a nonprofit organization that provides entrepreneurship, employment readiness, and personal development training programs to men and women in correctional facilities across the United States.

PERC recognizes that many incarcerated people can achieve positive well-being, become successfully employed, and launch successful, legal entrepreneurial endeavors. This program will facilitate a 6 to 8 month in custody training that empowers individuals to become the CEO of their new life.

The curriculum, CEO of Your New Life provides entrepreneurial training, employment readiness, and other personal development tools to men and women in correctional facilities across the United States. The in-custody training concludes with a business pitch, where Entrepreneurs in Training (EIT) will be required to present their business idea for an opportunity to compete for grant funds to assist with starting their business.

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COMMUNITY TRAINING

This PERC track is designed for those entrepreneurially minded individuals that have already transitioned back to their communities yet continue to be plagued with economic barriers that impede on the ability to live a meaningful life.

PERC’s community training is provided by its training partner, Sunshine Enterprises through its Community Business Academy (CBA).   The Community Business Academy is a 12-week course offering hands-on training in business planning and business management.

The course covers topics like budgeting, marketing, bookkeeping, cash flow, pricing strategies, and credit building in a dynamic learning environment. Classes are held once a week in the evenings at various locations throughout Chicago.

The small business lab is a part of CBA that presents a unique environment where participants gain hands-on experience in running a business under real-world conditions.

Each session simulates a month of business activity in the marketplace, where teams compete for business while striving to earn a profit. Teams track sales, expenses and monitor cash flow, all while sharpening essential marketing and finance skills.

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VOLUNTEER

Join us for a coaching day in the correctional facility, become a post-release mentor, or share your expertise as a workshop leader or guest instructor. PERC along with Defy seeks successful business executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and other skilled professionals to coach and mentor EITs. You will use your core competencies to “pay it forward.” If you believe in underdogs, you’ll love volunteering with PERC, along with Defy in its CEO of Your New Life program. Through this event, EITs will become inspired to be enthusiastic participants in the CEO of Your New Life program.

OUR PARTNERS

OUR FUNDERS

Pathway To Enterprise For Returning Citizens

A Program of
Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Micro Finance Group
1000 East 111th Street, 10th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60628
(773) 341-2070