2025 was the year that ended as it had begun – with uncertainty and disruption for organizations and communities. 2026 begins with the certainty that change is the only constant, and organizations and communities need to be ready to pivot, which is only possible through preparedness in personal and professional development.

Our inaugural CRC Train-the-Trainer session was a resounding success! Designed to make the Career Readiness Curriculum more accessible, this session provided actionable strategies for guiding job seekers, overcoming barriers, and inspiring long-term career planning.

 At Chicago Jobs Council (CJC), our recent Workforce Convo highlighted key strategies for navigating this changed political landscape. While methods may evolve, our core values of equity, opportunity, and systemic change remain constant. Here are ten actionable takeaways from our conversation to help you stay mission-driven and impactful in the year ahead.

Building on the work we started last year, we’ve continued to bridge the gap between funders and community-based organizations through The Funders' Project, a six-session series focused on creating more equitable funding practices. The initiative aims to make application and reporting processes fairer and more accessible, especially for underrepresented organizations.