Monthly Archives December 2014

Shaqueeda entered the PGWorks Program, operated by KRA Corporation for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, on November 17, 2014, intent on applying for Temporary Cash Assistance, a public-assistance benefit.  However, on December 17, 2014, exited the program…with a job instead. LaCresha Jones, reports, “Shaqueeda, a 27-year old high school graduate and single mother, came to KRA/PGWorks with a positive attitude, drive, and an updated resume—some of the many tools needed for successful job-searching.  Also, she knew what she wanted: a meaningful job with a sustainable wage and options for career advancement to provide for herself and her two little girls. After Orientation,
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For the second time in 3 months, the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) has selected a KRA Corporation employee—from the same program—to facilitate a webinar, this one on January 22, 2015, re: Connecting, Communicating and Coaching in the Four Generation Workforce. Joseph Seymour, the sole presenter, is a Trainer/Subject Matter Expert for the CTWorks Program, operated by KRA for Capital Workforce Partners, the WIB for North Central Connecticut.  He will be facilitating the webinar as part of NAWDP’s ongoing professional development offerings for both members and non-members. Joseph has worked extensively with NAWDP over the years as a
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The two applicants had much in common—both were in their early 20’s, high school graduates, single mothers of one child…and unemployed.  During the 2nd week in October, both visited PGWorks—operated by KRA Corporation for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services—to apply for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), i.e., welfare.  Instead, both were enrolled in KRA/PGWorks, a pre-TCA requirement, the goal of which is job placement, i.e., welfare avoidance. Their Career Pathways took different, but equally productive, directions. Working with Career Agent LaCresha Jones, Dominique enrolled in FUSE (Focus on Utilizing Self-Sufficient Energy), an intensive KRA Job-Readiness Course. And, advised
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Our December Spotlight! is shining brightly on a new partnership established with the DC Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management by the DC TANF Employment Program (TEP) operated by KRA Corporation for the Department of Human Services. At a networking event, Shawna Wright, KRA Operations Manager, re-connected with Danviere Battle, Georgetown Hospital, who had shared her expertise previously with customers enrolled in KRA/PGWorks’ Job–Readiness Workshops.  Shawna commented, “I learned that Danviere was a member of SHRM, and I had always wanted to explore a partnership with them.  So, we exchanged numbers, planned for about a month as to what we wanted
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Kathy Confer, Instructor, VIEW (Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare) Program—operated by KRA Corporation for the Norfolk Department of Human Services—gave her GED class a writing assignment on goal-setting.  Participant Dawn Franklin wrote about her 5-year struggle with homelessness, and her goal of having a place to call “home”. Dawn had ended 10 years of unemployment by landing a job with the Hunton YMCA, a KRA/VIEW Partnership organization, but had not yet saved enough money to secure permanent housing; she was still moving from house to house, which was taking a heavy toll on her, and an even heavier one
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Harlenia Ray enrolled in the Norfolk VIEW (Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare) Program, operated by KRA Corporation for the Department of Human Services, lacking work experience and job skills, making her an ideal candidate for the KRA/VIEW Job Readiness Program (JRP). During  a JRP class, Harlenia was introduced to an opportunity with Tidewater Home Care (THC) as a Personal Care Assistant, through the Virginia Full Employment Program (FEP), which includes skills training, followed by 6 months of state-subsidized employment. At the end of the 6 months, the employer is expected to hire the trainee—which THC did on October 1, 2014! In
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When Adalberto Barbosa, his wife, and two children moved from Puerto Rico to Hartford, he discovered they were eligible for  Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) benefits through the Connecticut Department of Social Services.  TFA also qualified Adalberto for the CTWorks Jobs First Employment Services (JFES) Program, operated by KRA Corporation for Capital Workforce Partners. Career Agent Madelyn Cruz-Javier, who began coaching Adalberto on his resume-development and job-interviewing skills, soon recognized that despite limited-English skills, his drive and determination made him an excellent candidate for JFES’ Subsidized Employment Program (SEP), through which Adalberto got a job with Burlington Coat Factory. After his 12-week
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Monet, a single, 24-year old high school graduate with 2 children, enrolled in the PGWorks Program—operated by KRA Corporation for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services—on July 23rd, knowing only that she needed to know a lot more about enhancing her employability. Career Agent Terance Washington, commented, “Some people believe all they need is a resume—external representation of what they have to offer an employer—to eventually get a job.  Actually, they need internal examination of what they have to offer, build on that information, and present ‘a total package’ to the employer.” So, after Orientation, using various assessment
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