Gordie's Foundation

- 6430 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60636

Gordie's Foundation is not a typical local business; it is a vital non-profit organization operating in the heart of the Englewood community on Chicago's South Side. Its address at 6430 S Ashland Ave serves a dual purpose: it functions as a Barber Shop, providing essential grooming services to the community, and an Education center, offering crucial vocational training and life-skills development. The organization was founded over two decades ago by Audrey Wright, who created the foundation in honor of her son, Gordie, who was lost to violent crime. This deeply personal mission drives the foundation’s goal to spread a message of hope and provide alternatives to violence, crime, and poverty.

The foundation is dedicated to helping individuals, particularly those on the south and west sides of Chicago, overcome economic, societal, and educational barriers. It focuses on integrating unskilled labor and providing high-demand skills training to ex-felons, veterans, and young men and women. The services, therefore, encompass not only hair care but also extensive workforce development programs, making it a unique and multi-faceted pillar of the Illinois community. While the reviews mention serious concerns regarding communication and professionalism, the organization's core mission of providing education and job training remains a crucial resource for the community it serves.

Gordie's Foundation is located at 6430 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60636, USA. This central location in the Englewood neighborhood makes it accessible to the residents it is primarily intended to serve. The proximity to major streets and public transport routes aids in making the facility reachable for individuals traveling from various parts of Chicago and Cook County.

The organization has thoughtfully addressed the needs of all community members by ensuring essential physical accessibility. Key amenities include:

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: This critical feature ensures that the facility is accessible to individuals with mobility challenges, making the educational and barbershop services available to everyone.
• Restroom: A standard amenity provided for the comfort and convenience of students, clients, and staff during their time at the center.

The services at Gordie's Foundation are categorized into two primary areas: the commercial and community-focused Barber Shop services, and the non-profit's extensive Educational and Workforce Development programs.

The Barber Shop component (sometimes referred to in public data as Gordy's Barbershop or Gordie's Barber School) generally offers the traditional grooming services expected in the Chicagoland area, including:

• Haircuts and Trims: Including custom cuts, fades, tapers, buzz cuts, and other modern and classic styles.
• Shaving Services: Including straight blade shaves and beard trimming/shaping.
• Shampooing and Styling.
• Facials and Massages: Light self-care treatments often offered in conjunction with a shave or trim.

The Education and Vocational Training programs, which form the core of the foundation’s mission, include:

• Skilled Trades Training: Certified programs approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) in fields such as HVAC, Carpentry/Construction Services, and Industrial Sewing.
• Technology Training: Courses in Computer Networking, Cyber Security, Coding, and Computer Repair.
• Developmental Training: Programs for individuals with special needs, focusing on grooming, dressing, toiletry, eating, and communication skills.
• Mentoring and Life Skills: Coaching services to develop soft skills, time management, teamwork, and workplace professionalism, with continued support after job placement.

The standout features of Gordie's Foundation revolve around its unique dual nature and its profound commitment to community betterment in Illinois:

• Mission-Driven Organization: The foundation's primary highlight is its mission to combat violence, poverty, and unemployment on Chicago's South Side through education and job skills training.
• Accredited Vocational Training: The organization is approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to offer certificate programs in high-demand, high-paying fields.
• Community Re-Entry Focus: Gordie's Foundation provides critical support for ex-felons and veterans, helping them transition back into society and the workforce through hands-on training and career coaching.
• Barbershop with a Purpose: The barbershop component is integrated with the foundation’s mission, providing a revenue stream and potentially serving as a practical training ground (Barber School) while offering affordable and professional grooming services to the community.
• Physical Accessibility: The Wheelchair accessible entrance is a significant highlight, demonstrating a commitment to serving all members of the community, regardless of physical ability.

For general inquiries about the vocational programs, or to contact the barbershop for services, Illinois residents can use the following details:

• Address: 6430 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60636, USA
• Primary Phone: (773) 434-3920
• Mobile Phone: +1 773-434-3920

For users in the Illinois region, choosing to engage with Gordie's Foundation, whether for a haircut or to support its mission, is a decision with a clear social impact. While acknowledging the customer reviews that cite serious concerns regarding communication, professionalism, and follow-up on training inquiries, the inherent value of the organization's mission must be recognized.

The foundation's primary strength lies in its expansive, accredited vocational training programs. It is one of the few local organizations offering concrete skills in trades like HVAC and Carpentry, directly addressing the need for skilled labor and providing life-changing economic opportunities for underserved populations in Chicago. The commitment to ex-felons, veterans, and at-risk youth offers a powerful, tangible alternative to violence and poverty—a critical service in the city.

Clients seeking a haircut are supporting a community institution, as the barbershop directly contributes to the foundation's financial sustainability and community presence. Furthermore, for individuals with disabilities or mobility concerns, the Wheelchair accessible entrance ensures the physical space is fully inclusive.

Therefore, for Illinois residents prioritizing social good and seeking to support an organization with a verifiable, long-standing commitment to community empowerment through education and job creation—despite the noted operational challenges in customer service—Gordie's Foundation represents a powerful, purpose-driven choice.

Gordie's Foundation

6430 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60636, USA