Archives for Latest News

KRA Clients Support Walmart Foundation Grant Initiative

January 23, 2017 | No Comments

In March 2016, the Chicago Tribune announced that the Walmart Foundation had funded the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership—KRA client for the operation of the Garfield One Stop Center—to select 10 WDBs, from a field of 550 nationwide, seeking funding for innovative retail job-training services. In September 2016, the San Diego Metro Region Career Centers, operated by KRA for the San Diego Workforce Partnership, hosted a Grant and Program Announcement ceremony, during which Angela M. Wilson, San Diego Regional Manager of Walmart Stores, presented a $400,000 check to SDWP for the operation of a Walmart Foundation Retail Grant for customized incumbent-worker
Read More

KRA Celebrates Workforce Development Week

January 20, 2017 | No Comments

A nationwide effort spearheaded by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Workforce Development Council—of which KRA President & CEO Knowlton R. Atterbeary is a member—Workforce Development Week (WDW), January 23-27, promotes the invaluable services offered through Workforce Development Boards across the country. To maximize impact, the Workforce Development Council’s Target Population Communications Task Group suggests several WDW activities that program administrators and communications professionals can implement to advocate for their special-needs customers. The Task Group recommends a coordinated, nationwide campaign, utilizing some of the ideas below, in addition to your own creative WDW plans: Use WDW to connect with local, regional, and state officials.
Read More

KRA Services Youth Challenged by Trauma

January 9, 2017 | No Comments

It is both appropriate and timely that KRA chose its 2016 Community Care Campaign (CCC) to focus on two devastating consequences of neighborhood violence…PTSD in youth and young ex-offenders returning to the community seeking education, job-training and/or employment opportunities. A September 2016 Washington Post article stated, “As a number of major American cities are reporting more homicides this year than last year, the overall number of killings in the country’s biggest cities has increased in 2016, with one city accounting for nearly half of the total spike. Chicago has experienced almost half of the overall increase in homicides…along with Washington
Read More

KRA Brightens Holiday for Prison Fellowship Family

January 9, 2017 | No Comments

Through the Angel Tree® Prison Fellowship Program, the KRA San Diego Metro Region Centers, operated for the San Diego Workforce Partnership, “adopted” a family—a mother; children, 5 and 7; and a father…who was incarcerated. Career Agent Catherine McLean, reports, “As part of our 2016 Community Care Campaign, KRA/San Diego staff donated both time and money to provide some Holiday cheer for our adopted family. Gifts were given to the children as if they were from their parents, with each receiving toys from their Angel Tree wish lists, as well as books, clothes, and a Holiday stocking filled with more goodies.
Read More

KRA Monthly Spotlight!

December 30, 2016 | No Comments

Our December Spotlight! is shining brightly and aptly—as another spectacular year comes to an end—on KRA Employee Achievements! In Connecticut, Maryland, and California, on December 8, 9, and 12, respectively, hundreds of employees, family members, and friends gathered to celebrate those employees whose performance most exemplified KRA’s Core Values…Knowledge, Responsibility, and Achievement…in 2016. During three Evenings of Excellence, more than 185 employees were honored for having distinguished themselves in three arenas pivotal to KRA’s expansion, growth, and success throughout its 35th year of operation. Leadership Edge (LE) is KRA’s proprietary staff development and training program for expanding employees’ knowledge, skills,
Read More

KRA Partners with YALLA to Support Exploited Youth

December 5, 2016 | No Comments

Recently, KRA announced that its 2016 Community Care Campaign (CCC) focuses on two special jobseeker-populations: ex-offenders and youth symptomatic of PTSD-related behavior. The KRA/San Diego Metro Career Centers, operated for the San Diego Workforce Partnership, report that California is ranked in the top five states for human trafficking, and in recent news, the FBI designated San Diego as a “high intensity child prostitution area.” To support the targets—refugees, immigrants, and under-served youth—of this appalling exploitation KRA/San Diego partnered with YALLA (Youth Leaders Living Actively), which uses athletic and academic programs to assist this victimized population in rebuilding their lives. Prior
Read More

KRA Monthly Spotlight!

November 30, 2016 | No Comments

Last month, KRA Customer Gains Employment…and a Place to Call Home featured a homeless-jobseeker served by our Greater Hartford AJC. This month, another tale emerges from our San Diego Metro Career Centers. Sadly, from Connecticut to California—and every KRA program in between—there is no shortage of stories. One east-coast operation reports that 1/3 of customers have experienced homelessness. Regardless of the contributing circumstances, job-hunting as a homeless person presents a harsh, and perhaps—for those without assistance and support—insurmountable barrier to sustainable employment. As November draws to a close, so does National Homelessness Awareness Month for 2016. However, the end of November is also the end of an OJT
Read More

KRA Staff Honored for Contributions to Community

November 29, 2016 | No Comments

Recently, a black-tie gala honored One Hundred Men of Color for positive contributions and long-term commitments to their respective Connecticut and Western Massachusetts communities. Artie Owens and Anthony Harrington were among these 100 dedicated and distinguished men, acknowledged for their unwavering support of business, civic, and education sectors in the community, positively impacting the lives of individuals, especially our youth, throughout the Greater Hartford area. Owens, Program Director of a KRA/AJC network that covers 37 towns in Connecticut’s North Central Region for Capital Workforce Partners, provides guidance, oversight, and support for 70+ staff members who operate and manage specialized WIOA
Read More

KRA Launches 8th Annual Community Care Campaign

November 28, 2016 | No Comments

Recently, KRA announced that its 2016 Community Care Campaign (CCC) focuses on two special jobseeker-populations, whose obstacles to meaningful and sustainable employment are not necessarily mutually exclusive: youth suffering from a form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and individuals with criminal backgrounds, i.e., ex-offenders. CCC Committee Coordinator, Nate’ Gordon, reports, “Most often, PTSD is used to describe a debilitating condition exhibited by Veterans who have served in war-torn areas of the world. However, as incidences of inner-city violence increase right here at home, we are encountering PTSD-type symptoms of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness in our young-adult customers—fueled by challenges of un- and
Read More

KRA Partnership Hosts Successful Career Expo

November 21, 2016 | No Comments

Recently, KRA hosted the 1st Annual Alameda County Career Expo in collaboration with the Alameda County Workforce Development Board (WDB), the Oakland WDB, and the City of San Leandro, CA. Convened at the Zero Net Energy Center in San Leandro, the huge event was also supported by the Contra Costa County WDB, the East Bay Economic Development Alliance, the EASTBAY Works America’s Job Centers network, and the Oakland Private Industry Council. Expo numbers were beyond impressive—more than 50 private- and public-sector employers, with 750 job opportunities, invested $250-$500 to take advantage of varying levels of participation; 500 jobseekers pre-registered; and
Read More