'WE' Program Receives $3500 Grant from Chamber of Commerce MashUp Event

The Evanston Chamber of Commerce awarded the Forrest E. Powell Foundation’s Work Ethic (WE)program a $3500 grant at the annual MashUp, held recently.

The Chamber agreed to donate 10% of the proceeds from its Mash-Up gathering of business, academics and arts personages, to a local non-profit. Prior to the award, President Morton Schapiro and Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl had determined that the annual Catalyst award would recognize an organization in Evanston focused on workforce development, the Skilled Trades Program.

“The MashUP committee was delighted to learn about the ‘WE’ Foundation (Work Ethic) which is creating opportunities for ETHS students to successfully purse careers in the trades,” according to Steve Hagerty, one of the original Mash-Up founders. “We wanted to support an innovative development program led by two proven leaders in Evanston, Hecky Powell and Nancy Baker.”

Jim Pepa. a director of Porte Brown and president of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce, added, “Students that opt to pursue a trade deserve the same type of wraparound services that programs for college bound students receive. The Chamber is very proud to support this program.”

“The WE program is so grateful for the generous gift from the Chamber’s MashUp team. In addition to the financial impact it will have on the program’s startup and its students, it’s also a wonderful recognition by the business community,” added Executive Director, Nancy Baker.