Posts by Marcie Dingle

Honoring America’s Veterans and Families

In 1996, the Armed Services YMCA organization designated November as National Veterans and Military Families Month, with the U.S. Government commemorating the occasion every year since. This November, the Defense Department launched a new National Veterans and Military Families Month landing page, Military OneSource, celebrating the sacrifices and contributions of service members, veterans, and military families. Falling within this month-long time-span is Veterans Day—first called Armistice Day in 1926—recognized officially on November 11, due to the eerie timing of the end of the end of WW I in 1918, i.e. November 11 at 11 am—the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. KRA is grateful to
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Disability Employment Trends and Innovations from Maryland

As we continue to raise awareness during the month of October by honoring Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM), we are thrilled to share one of the latest’s podcasts from KRA’s THE HUB, featuring Jade Gingerich, Director of Employment Policy at the Maryland Department of Disabilities. Episode 18 provides an insightful discussion on disability employment, during which Ms. Gingerich provides background on her agency’s mission to improve coordination of services and promote equal opportunity for people with disabilities, outlining key state initiatives including eliminating subminimum wages. She stresses the importance of changing expectations around disability and work, customized employment approaches, and
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Unleashing the Power of Leadership

KRA’s Leadership Edge Convening Focuses on Mental Health First Aid Certification Since its inception in 1981, KRA has been committed to developing its leadership to face today’s and tomorrow’s workforce challenges. As part of this commitment, KRA launched Leadership Edge (LE), a comprehensive yearlong professional-development program to nurture leaders and future leaders. LE equips individuals with the competencies needed for management- and executive-level success, fostering their growth and preparing them for their next role. This year’s fall session will convene, October 18-19, in Chicago, “home” to the KRA Westside American Job Center and Chatham Workforce and Education Center, operated for
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NDEAM 2023: Advancing Access and Equity

A reprint: Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy If it’s October, it’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year, there are a number of new resources available to help employers and employees participate in this annual celebration of the skills and talents people with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy. To start, the official 2023 NDEAM poster is available for download and mail order. Illustrating this year’s NDEAM theme, “Advancing Access and Equity,” the poster conveys the importance of ensuring disabled people have equal opportunity to prepare for and succeed in employment.
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KRA Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month!

Each year, we observe National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15, celebrating the cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from the Caribbean; Central, South, and North America, i.e. Mexico; and Spain. Sixteen percent of the KRA family identify as Hispanic American, and we thank those, who, given several topics, volunteered to share something about their heritage with us. One area in particular seemed to resonate with everyone, “Do you have a favorite dish that is a significant aspect of your Hispanic heritage?” Rosal Chavira, Operations Manager: Mexico “During El Día De Los Muertos, celebrated October
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KRA Supports SETA 2023 Fall Conference

On September 17, 2023, the Southeastern Employment and Training Association (SETA) will convene its 4-day Fall Conference, which includes a Celebration of its 50th Year Anniversary. KRA is especially honored this year: To sponsor the Conference; To congratulate SETA President, Joseph L. Seymour, who for 14+ years distinguished himself as a leader in pivotal and progressively advanced  program-and corporate-level training and development positions; and To support members of our outstanding Corporate Leadership & Program Management Team, who are facilitating workshops on September 19, 2023: Nieal Marie Ross, Director, Midwest Workforce Operations, will present Uplifting the Unhoused: Serving Unhoused Young People from
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KRA HUB Podcast Series Still Going Strong!

In October 2022, we launched THE HUB, the official podcast of KRA Corporation, as a platform dedicated to providing valuable insights and knowledge to our listeners.  We believe that sharing diverse workforce-services perspectives and experiences is essential for our audience to learn about industry trends, and to explore various professional journeys. Hosting the podcasts is the talented Doug Foresta, with frequent appearances by Jonathan Overall, KRA Senior Director, Workforce Operations, as co-host. We have an exciting lineup of broadcasts prepared for the upcoming months, with a new episode to be released approximately every 2 weeks. Each podcast is packed with engaging
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The Trajectory of KRA Corporation…A Black-owned Business Enterprise

August 1, 2023, marked the beginning of Black Business Month that celebrates the success and innovation of African-American entrepreneurs. In February 2023, the SBA Office of Advocacy released a report, indicating that 3.12 million Black-owned businesses generate $206 billion in annual revenue, supporting 3.56 million U.S. jobs.  “That’s millions of people filling the needs of our local communities and creating jobs for workers of all backgrounds.” KRA, founded in 1981 by Knowlton R. Atterbeary, is proud to be one of those 3.12 million enterprises, and of its recognition as a National Leader in Workforce Development Services. Early in a career devoted
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Endings and Beginnings: A Celebration of Career Transitions

I joined KRA as a Job Developer on a contract with the North Central Connecticut WDB, never envisioning that this job would develop into a 14-year, life-changing journey, and that… …I’d be promoted six times in 12 years, culminating in my position as Managing Director of Operational Excellence; …co-facilitating a Dislocated Workers’ workshop at the 2010 NAWB Annual Forum would lead to 30+ in-person and virtual presentations for our industry’s premier associations’ training and development (T&D) events; …in 2015, NAWDP would honor me with its Professional Development Award; and …a neophyte Job Developer in July 2009 would assume the Office
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Congratulations to George Wright, the new CEO of the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership!

In June, The Partnership, which oversees the largest public workforce development system in the country, issued a press release announcing Mr. Wright’s appointment as chief executive officer. Since 2016, KRA has valued its relationship with The Partnership, beginning with our operation of the Garfield One-Stop Career Center, and expanding over time to include the Westside AJC and the Chatham Workforce and Education Center on the South Side. Through career services for jobseekers and business services for the region’s employers, KRA supports The Partnership in the operation of many diverse programs, including many in the construction sector. For example, KRA plays
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