Powering Change Investment

Championing Economic Equity through Workforce Development

As part of our work to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free future, we strive to act as a catalyst for change in our communities. This includes workforce development initiatives that provide access to STEM learning opportunities, and create economic access, generational wealth, and family supporting careers.

Below are the six flagship community organizations Constellation has partnered with in the Powering Change Investment initiative.

Chicago Women in Trades

Founded in 1981, Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) is a non-profit organization committed to improving women’s economic equity by increasing the number of women working in well-paid, skilled trades jobs traditionally held by men. Originally established by tradeswomen as a support network, CWIT addresses the barriers that prohibit women and girls from entering and succeeding in male-dominated industries by creating opportunities and promoting equitable workplaces and conditions.

“Because Constellation is a major employer in the industry, its leadership in expanding equity for women matters, and we are excited about what can be accomplished together.”

 - Jayne Vellinga, executive director, CWIT

InRoads

Founded in 1970, INROADS delivers innovative programs and creative solutions that identify, accelerate, and elevate the development of underrepresented talent throughout their careers. Through this development, students become equipped for corporate and community leadership that affects community renewal, social change and elevates economic status and quality of life. INROADS has more than 30,000 alumni, over 900 interns and serves 4,000+ students and 200 corporate clients. Learn more at INROADS.org and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn: @INROADSInc.

“Constellation’s investment in INROADS not only prepares deserving students for career success, but also expands our reach into clean energy careers.”

- Forest T. Harper, president and CEO, INROADS.

View our 2023 Scholars

National Urban League

The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its 92 local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people annually nationwide. Visit www.nul.org and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @NatUrbanLeague.

“This newly forged partnership will allow us to continue to provide essential services like job training and workforce development to our constituents and close the employment gap.”

- Marc H. Morial, president and CEO, National Urban League

SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The organization helps students excel. A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.

“SkillsUSA is thrilled to partner with Constellation. With their support, we can continue our essential work to close the skills gap, while presenting robust opportunities for young workers who enjoy challenging careers that offer stability and benefits.”

- Chelle Travis, executive director, SkillsUSA.

Vehicles for Change

Since 1999, Vehicles for Change has provided the tools necessary to achieve financial stability for families through their car donation and reentry internship programs. Whether a family needs a car or an individual needs a new job, the nonprofit promotes respect and independence.

Vehicles for Change has awarded 6,900 cars to low-income families, changing the lives of more than 24,000 people. Their study found that 75 percent of Vehicles for Change recipients got better jobs and/or boosted their earnings by an average of $7,000 within the first year.

HIRE360

Through localized mentorship, direct investment and specialized services, HIRE360 will strengthen the participation of underrepresented populations in the Chicago area — with a special focus on engaging youth to consider the trades as a viable and inspiring career path, mentoring and growing Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) firms and creating a supply chain of partners that are accountable to higher participation standards.

"We are excited to partner with Constellation to increase opportunities in construction and the trades to those populations who are currently underrepresented. Too many Chicagoans work multiple low-wage jobs and still struggle to make ends meet. With $100 billion in projects breaking ground in Chicago over the next 15 years, our hope is to give diverse candidates a better opportunity to be part of the city’s construction future.”

- Jay Rowell, Executive Director, HIRE360.