Economic Empowerment Center (EEC)

Center for Changing Lives is an Economic Empowerment Center (EEC)

Our EEC is supported by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through the Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3). Our entrepreneurship training offers a comprehensive, holistic approach designed to enhance your skills.

Whether you're starting a new business or looking to streamline and grow your existing operations, we'll guide you through every step to help you achieve your goals more efficiently.

EEC programs are open to our community with a focus on individuals from communities, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), women, disabled individuals, youth, dislocated workers, and veterans. We offer flexible learning options, with both in-person and virtual opportunities to accommodate your needs. CCL’s EEC is bilingual and all services and coaching is available in English and Spanish.

Our Economic Empowerment Center (EEC) partners with subject matter experts from government agencies, major corporations, nonprofits, and small businesses to offer free, high-quality training. Participants will gain valuable knowledge in areas such as business planning, financial management, legal issues, and more. To further support your success, our EEC hosts events and provides weekly one-on-one coaching. Each graduate will pitch and showcase their newly acquired skills at a pop-up market event and will receive a Certificate of Completion to recognize their achievement!

We have an Introductory Cohort focused on entrepreneurs who have a business idea and no federal EIN number. Our Advanced Cohort will focus on small business owners who have been in business for a minimum of 2 years, have a federal EIN number, at least two full-time employees (including themself), and an annual revenue of at least $20,000.