OAI, Inc. is Paving the Way for Clean Energy Jobs in the Southland Through NICI Support
For more than 40 years, OAI, Inc. has partnered with community-based organizations to meet the needs of men and women struggling to join the workforce. OAI’s Park Forest office serves the South Suburban Cook County region as a bridge between the region's employers and its historically underserved workforce.
OAI’s first Northern Illinois Community Initiatives (NICI) Impact Grant of $100,000 will support the organization’s renovation of their upcoming clean energy demonstration space. The site will serve as a space for community organizations, businesses, educational institutions, and youth-serving programs to connect and collaborate. Additionally, NICI’s support of the new facility is a vital step towards OAI’s Chicago Southland EV Clean Energy Workforce Initiative, a program aiming to provide job training around electric vehicle charging station installation. NICI proudly supports the development of this facility as a hub for both communal and educational opportunities for the region.
“Investing in local economies is critical to building stronger communities. We are grateful for NICI’s support, which will empower us as a nonprofit to implement innovative solutions that can lead to meaningful progress.”
— Dr. Sandra Dafiaghor, PhD, Sr. Director