| Philadelphia,
PA
Delancey
EARN Center
KRA Delancey hosted an on-site job fair that allowed
its customers to network with potential employers.
The diverse line-up of potential employers was
consistent with the variety of career ambitions
held by our customers. The job fair was organized
and executed by the Job Development Team and included
such participants as Bank of America, Fresh Grocer,
Sister's Day Care, Play and Learn Child Care Center,
Bayada Nurses, City of Philadelphia Prison System,
Germantown Boys and Girls Club, and Save-A-Lot.
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Germantown
EARN Center
Philadelphia's Germantown EARN Center work-certified
class participated in the graduation reception
at Center in the Park. (Many of our work-certified
students have secured employment and were not
able to attend the graduation.) Some of the special
guests in attendance included Michael Walker,
KRA Vice President, Nate' Gordon, program director
of the Germantown EARN Center, Carrie Kitchen-Santiago,
PWDC Director of Training and Policy; and Councilwoman
Donna Reid Miller. The students donned blue caps
and gowns and received diplomas, as well as a
special gift for their completion of work-certified.
There was a great sense of pride and empowerment
in the air.
The Germantown EARN Center had its fourth annual
Networking Night. Cheltenham Mall Regional Manager
Porsche Edwards was on site collecting resumes
and talking to potential job candidates. Thirty-seven
customers showed up; four were hired; and four
more applicants' resumes are being processed.
Vice
President Michael Walker, Finance Person Kierstan
Williams, and Director Nate' Gordon went to Hershey,
PA, for the PA Partners Conference. Nate' Gordon
presented to vendors and CAO workers throughout
Pennsylvania on the Philadelphia Show Rate. Philadelphia
has the highest rate of individuals who report
being referred. The audience was extremely engaged
and thankful for the best practices shared.
KRA's
Germantown EARN Center hosted its first annual
Youth Explosions events. Germantown EARN customers
and their teenage children ages 14 to 18 were
invited. Germantown EARN staff gave out information
regarding Work Ready Philadelphia, a program designed
to provide high-school students from TANF households
with internships at area businesses for six weeks
during the summer. During the summer, teens who
enroll and start working will receive $7.15 an
hour, which is equivalent to $858 for the summer.
Youth will be able to gain valuable work experience
at prominent organizations. The Germantown EARN
Center was able to provide 77 youth with applications,
provide dinner to Germantown EARN families, and
motivate teens and customers about working!
Every month Germantown EARN employees give money
to a different charity that employees believe
has a worthy cause. Last month, Nicole Burton,
a retention customer, informed staff that she
is affiliated with an organization that provides
services for children with physical and/or developmental
disabilities. In honor of Autism Awareness month
and in addition to providing services, the Variety
Club held a walk and accepted donations for more
program funding for children with disabilities.
Burton's goal for her team was to raise $100 and
Germantown EARN staff helped her exceed that goal
by donating $ 300! Burton and the Variety Club
were humbled and thankful for the donation.
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Philadelphia
KRA Delancey hosted an Open House to welcome community
partners to its new location in West Philadelphia.
KRA hosted over 75 individuals including representatives
from the Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation,
the University of Pennsylvania, and newly elected
Mayor Nutter's office. Festivities included guided
tours provided by KRA staff, several speakers,
and lots of food.
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Kentucky
In Kentucky we have several students placed in
employment through the Youth Program, many of
whom have never held a job before. We are working
with a number of employers in various fields to
provide employment for the students, employers
in healthcare, business, customer service, tourism,
the arts, parks and recreation, and numerous others.
The students have an opportunity to gain experience
in a career field of their interest and get a
better understanding of the world of work; being
part of a team, getting to work on time, and being
productive.
Most importantly, students are receiving their
first paychecks. Their happiness, the pride they
feel, and their sense of accomplishment is contagious.
This excitement is common throughout the youth
program in Kentucky.
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Tidewater,
VA
KRA recognized for community
involvement
KRA received the Dress for Success Corporate Award
at the 3rd Annual Spring Suits and Salads Fundraiser.
KRA President & CEO Knowlton R. Atterbeary
was on hand to receive the award presented by
Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success. The award
recognizes corporations that facilitate the mission
of Dress for Success through monetary contributions.
KRA was commended for supporting over 300 clients
who have received professional clothing and career
development from Dress for Success, Norfolk chapter.
Ninette Adams, KRA (Norfolk) employment specialist,
was also recognized for her support of the Dress-for-Success
partnership.
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KRA Tidewater Employment
Fair
Kudos to the Employment
Specialist Team in Norfolk for the recent successes
of the monthly employment fairs. In the past two
months, over 300 eager job seekers have filed
into the Workforce Development Center to meet
with over 30 local employers in hopes of landing
the right opportunity. 15 participants were offered
jobs on the spot. Employment fairs highlight opportunities
in various industries including administrative,
hotel and hospitality, and general labor. Employment
fairs are free events and open to the public and
are held monthly at the city's Workforce Development
Center.
Evening amongst the stars: KRA Tidewater shows
support of local partner
KRA Tidewater attended the Urban League of Hampton
Roads' 18th Annual Whitney M. Young Awards Banquet.
KRA served as an at-large sponsor for this luxurious
fundraiser, which featured the actress, author,
and activist Ruby Dee as the keynote speaker.
KRA is a strong supporter of the Urban League,
which is the nation's oldest and largest community-based
movement empowering African Americans and others
to enter the economic and social mainstream.
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Norfolk,
VA
The In-School-Youth students
had an opportunity to participate in two career
explorative field trips to the Norfolk Nauticus
Museum and The Spirit of Norfolk Cruise Ship.
The students learned about the study of marine
biology along with associated career opportunities.
Students also learned about oceanography careers
as they enjoyed a two-hour ship ride along the
Elizabeth River on board the Spirit of Norfolk
Cruise Ship. Both field trips provided the students
with necessary information to explore unique careers.
The
Youth Program currently has 245 excited youth
eligible to participate in the summer employment
program. Summer employment provides youth with
the opportunity to apply the workforce-readiness
skills learned during the course of the school
year. To kick off the summer employment program,
KRA hosted an employer appreciation luncheon at
the Norfolk Marriott. The luncheon was well attended
with over 80 employers coming out to take part
in Opportunity Inc.'s first employer luncheon.
On
May 15th our Out-of-School Program celebrated
the success of six program participants who received
their GEDs during our program year. A special
graduation, I Made It Graduation Ceremony, was
held for GED graduates in the Hampton Roads area.
This graduation recognized youth for their accomplishments
and allowed them the chance to dress in caps and
gowns for their big achievement.
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Norfolk
January was the third consecutive month in which
KRA Norfolk's VIEW Team exceeded WPR goals, achieving
a WPR of 58 percent, the highest recorded WPR
to date for the Norfolk VIEW Team. In addition,
KRA Norfolk has the highest Work Percentage Rating
in the region. KRA Norfolk is the only Employment
Services Division in the region that is operated
by an outside contractor, which demonstrates the
value and productivity of this great company.
Congratulations to the Norfolk VIEW Team for their
hard work.
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KRA
Recognizes Black History Month With Essay Contest
In
recognition of Black History month, KRA staff
participated in a contest in which they responded
to the question, "What event in U.S. history
has contributed the most to the achievement of
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream?"
Vivica Aycox's essay "Achieving the Dream
in 2008," was the winning essay; she received
a $25 gift certificate. Congratulations Vivica!
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