About
Cara Collective is a Chicago-based workforce development nonprofit whose mission is to build an inclusive economy by developing employment pathways that advance transformative individual and community success. Founded in 1991 as The Cara Program by entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom Owens — who initially worked out of his car, traveling between shelters to coach people for job interviews — the organization rebranded as Cara Collective in 2021 to reflect its expanded family of enterprises. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (legal name Cara Program, EIN 36-4268095).
Mission
To build an inclusive economy by developing employment pathways to advance transformative individual and community success, with a vision to fuel a courageous national movement to eradicate relational and financial poverty.
What they do
- Cara — the flagship workforce training and job placement program serving Chicagoans affected by poverty
- Cleanslate — a social enterprise that creates hundreds of jobs annually through community beautification work across Chicago neighborhoods, headquartered in Englewood
- Cara Connects — a mission-driven staffing firm, winner of the Social Innovator of the Year Award at the Chicago Innovation Awards
- Cara Plus — the organization's expansion arm, providing training and partnerships nationally, including affiliates LSSI Works in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Atlanta Mission @Work
History
The Cara Program began in 1991 with founder Tom Owens coaching shelter residents for interviews, and established its first physical location at Old St. Patrick's Church in downtown Chicago. Today the organization operates from the Thomas and Mary Owens Center, a 30,000-square-foot training facility in downtown Chicago, along with a South Side Campus in Bronzeville at Rosenwald Courts. It rebranded from The Cara Program to Cara Collective in 2021.
Scale and impact
According to the organization's impact reporting (as of the end of FY2026), Cara Collective has generated 18,526 jobs for 11,824 people since 1991. It reports a 75 percent one-year retention rate at the same firm, 90 percent participant satisfaction with program outcomes, and $16.1 million in annual earnings by Cara participants. The organization calculates that for every dollar invested, $5.97 is reinvested in society over five years.
Financials
According to ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (IRS Form 990, fiscal year ending June 2025), Cara Program reported total revenue of $20,870,682, total expenses of $16,565,889, and total assets of $26,522,087.
Governance
Cara Collective is led by President and CEO Kathleen Caliento. The IRS granted the organization tax-exempt status in March 1999, and it is classified under employment procurement assistance and job training.