Partner Spotlight: Accenture

Young people gather at CHIL with a shared purpose: to build a brighter future. Our dynamic partnership with Accenture is making that dream a reality. 

The partnership between Accenture Chicago and CHIL began when the drop-in center opened in 2017, and has flourished under the guidance of relationship managers like Lauryn Walker, a management consultant in T&O. "Our primary goal is to bridge the gap between education and employment for youth," says Walker, who has been involved with CHIL as a relationship manager since 2020. "We want to ensure they have the skills and confidence to pursue meaningful careers." 

Central to this partnership are the workforce development workshops conducted by Accenture. These workshops are designed to equip youth with essential professional and life skills, including financial literacy, mental health, self-branding, navigating professional communications, mock interviews, and reproductive health. "Our youth and location engagement  team, including Veronica Vergara, Kevin Joyce, and Ria Otwani, creates the curriculum and conducts the sessions," explains Walker. "We come once a month on-site, and each workshop lasts about an hour, often followed by a 30-minute office hour period for additional support." 

The workshops are open to all youth, whether they reside at CHIL or participate in the Youth Development Center programs. In addition to on-site sessions, Accenture has co-organized activities like an ice-skating field trip, providing opportunities for youth to engage in diverse experiences. 

Walker’s vision for the relationship with CHIL includes several key initiatives: 

1. Encourage increased engagement by arranging visits to Accenture, expanding workshop topics, and involving clients and other partners to broaden CHIL’s support network 

1. Pilot a mentorship/career coaching program that can be utilized with CHIL’s other interested partners 

1. Create pathways for youth to join programs like Accenture’s Skills to Succeed Internship, where they can work, learn, and earn money. 

These initiatives are designed to provide comprehensive support and opportunities for youth, helping them build successful futures. 

For Walker, this partnership is more than just a corporate responsibility; it’s a personal mission. "My mom is a CPS teacher and my father is a minister, so wanting to be involved in the community comes naturally to me," she shares. "I really believe in the value of educating people, and it stems from what I do at work. Everything I do comes from helping people navigate challenges." 

The establishment of the Employment and Education Program (EEP) at CHIL has allowed for a more intentional focus on helping youth achieve their educational and employment goals. "Over the years, I’ve seen a more intentional focus on getting youth what they need to either achieve education or get employed in the lanes they choose," says Walker. "Our team builds curriculum and stays in lockstep with CHIL, pivoting when needed." 

The alignment and consistency of these efforts are key to their success. "We plan for the whole year in January and reassess each quarter based on feedback from CHIL staff and youth," Walker explains. "The EEP team is great at reviewing content before we come to ensure it aligns with their programming. We really lean on the CHIL team." 

The partnership with Accenture goes beyond these workshops. Since CHIL’s inaugural Sleep Out, Accenture has supported fundraising efforts by creating a team, raising funds, and even sponsoring the event. 

• Accenture provides an annual programmatic cash grant of $25,000 to support our Education and Employment Program

• Anil Kar, Managing Director | Lead - Technology, Growth, Midwest Financial Services, serves on our Board of Directors and has participated in Sleep Out for multiple years

• Accenture is one of our Champion Sponsors at Sleep Out, raising more than $100,000 annually

• Shiv Iyer, Market Unit Lead - US Midwest, is our Sleep Out Corporate Chair and has supported CHIL in countless ways since we've been in Chicago

The work we do at CHIL is made possible by consistent partnerships like this. As Accenture and CHIL continue to work hand in hand, the future looks bright for the young individuals they support.  

If your company is interested in partnering with CHIL, please email chilinfo@covenanthouse.org for more information.