A creative, enterprising group of UCP Seguin participants who have started their own business, Windy City Plates, are the recipients of a Boost Grant, provided by 36Squared, a small business development center based in Chicago. The group completed and submitted their own application for a special business development grant, to assist their efforts in producing custom ordered, specially designed plates using images of Chicago. As part of a special ceremony at the 36Squared site, Andrew Fogaty, the Executive Director of 36Squared business incubator and expert advisor of the Illinois CEED program (Chicagoland Entrepreneurship Education for People with Disabilities), presented $1,000 checks to three applicants – including Windy City Plates. Mr. Fogaty shared his background and his passion for advocating for people with disabilities whom have small companies to continue to stay afloat despite the many challenges they face.
The group was also interviewed by a reporter with WBEZ 91.5 Chicago, the local National Public Radio affiliate, and their story was aired on WBEZ on their Wednesday news broadcast at 3pm and 5:30 pm. You can hear the story by going to www.wbez.org, scroll to the bottom listening “bar” and click backwards to Tuesday’s “All Things Considered - 3 P.M. Newscast”. Then click to the 4:54 mark and the minute-long Windy City story is featured, along with comments from team member Candace G.
