Monthly Archives October 2014

Career Agent Rhonda Feimster met with David Veney—38, single, two children—to assess his eligibility for the Non-Custodial Parent Employment Program (NPEP), and knew immediately he was qualified for an open KRA position. NPEP, a component of PGWorks, funded by the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, offers employment and training opportunities to individuals struggling to stay current with their child-support cases due to a lack of steady income. Veney’s background in Case Management, Family/Youth Advocacy, and Social Services, as well as his knowledge of the community-at-large, made him an excellent candidate for a KRA Job Developer position.  During assessment, Feimster
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For the third year, Charles Botts III, Subject Matter Expert and Trainer for CTWorks—operated by KRA Corporation for Capital Workforce Partners—volunteered to facilitate a Train-The-Trainers workshop at the University of Connecticut’s (UCONN) West Hartford campus. This year, Charles presented effective job-search techniques for a group of eight student leaders— “Ambassadors” for the UCONN Student Support Services (SSS) program. Although they represent all four class levels, diverse backgrounds, and different majors and career goals, the SSS Ambassadors share a common passion—helping their fellow students. A dual-Certified Professional Resume Writer and Workforce Development Professional, Charles focused on four major job-hunting tools: writing a
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Tarshae Brown enrolled in KRA’s Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program, funded by the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, in April 2013.  A 21 year-old, homeless, high-school dropout—as a result of her first pregnancy—she, not surprisingly, had an “attitude” problem, really a defense mechanism fueled by a crippling sense of hopelessness. Ernestine Chambers, Operations Manager, and Johnetta Pierce and Angela Smith, Lead Career Agents, understood totally how customers’ seemingly hopeless situations lead to disinterest and that “nobody really cares” attitude.  As a team, they provided Tarshae with the coaching, guidance, and “tough love” she needed to break through
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A career-pathway goal combining Criminal Justice and Human Services might seem incongruous to some.  After all, from Federal agencies—as in “Department of Health & Human Services” and “Justice Department”—to municipal administrations, these are two very  different service providers. For Bernette Makuson, not only is there no disconnect, there is a definite connection, believing that true sensitivity to “the human condition” will make her more effective when interacting with those embroiled in the justice system. Already pursuing a BS in Criminal Justice, Bernette’s goal was to find employment in the Human Services arena.  But, after 6-month stints with three different TANF Employment Program
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Recently, the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP) News reported the organization had received proclamations by the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors (SDBOS) and the San Diego City Council (SDCC) “naming September Workforce Development Month and recognizing SDWP’s leadership.” SDBOS presented its proclamation September 16th, with SDCC presenting theirs September 23rd.   “We are honored to receive these proclamations from the City and County,” stated Peter Callstrom, SDWP President/CEO.  “We are proud of the work we do to ensure that every business in our region has access to a skilled workforce and every job seeker has access to employment.” Maxine Suka,
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In June 2010, Candas Taylor was working as a Contract Attorney with a DC law firm that handles family law cases—divorce, child custody, child support—but 3 years later, found herself unemployed, job-hunting, and surviving on UI benefits. Martha Holman, KRA Case Manger, reported, “Candas exhausted her benefits, and despite a Juris Doctorate and two BA degrees, couldn’t find permanent work!  Out of options, she applied for public assistance, and was assigned to KRA Corporation—by our Department of Human Services client—to the KRA/TANF Employment Program for our  Job Development and Placement Services.” In May 2014, under a Community Work Experience (CWE) contract developed
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Benefit recipients of Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—formerly the “Food Stamp Program”—qualify for the PGWorks Employment and Training Program, operated by KRA Corporation for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services. A Sociology degree and 8+ years’ Customer Service experience did not shield Lamar Childers from unemployment, when the entire staff of a DC agency was laid off.  “Thirteen months of job-hunting, and lapsed unemployment benefits, led me to SNAP and to KRA”, Lamar said. Career Agent Ashelley Wilder, herself a former KRA customer, reported, “I empathized with Lamar’s situation, and worked with him on a Career Pathway Plan
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On September 24, the National Association of Workforce Development’s (NAWDP) 2014 Youth Development Symposium came to a close.  But for 500+ youth-development workers and stakeholders, the end of the Symposium was also the beginning of a renewed resolve to address the challenges presented by our at-risk youth. KRA Corporation, the only Platinum Sponsor, was pleased to provide this level of support for the Symposium, and proud that, for the second time, NAWDP selected Joe Seymour, CTWorks/KRA Trainer and Subject Matter Expert, to create the video for the Youth Symposium Plenary.  Also, KRA provided sponsorship for two keycards for each participant staying
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Recently, the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP), KRA’s client for the operation of the San Diego Metro Region Career Centers, sponsored a Workforce Conference: Future Employment in Our Priority Sectors, to share research data related to the Advanced Manufacturing, Clean/Renewable Energy, Health Care, Information Communication Technologies, and Life Sciences sectors, which are vital to the regional economy, experiencing rapid growth, and projecting skills shortages. Approximately 150 career counselors and other economic/workforce development professionals; jobseekers; and policymakers, including Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) viewed PowerPoints and listened to panels of industry experts and employers. Research findings, specific to each of the
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