We are all familiar with the phrase: the three most important factors for success in the real-estate industry are location, location, location! In the workforce-services industry, we have our own three most important factors for success: preparation, preparation, preparation!!
Total workplace-readiness is important for all KRA customers, but even more critical for participants with major obstacles to gainful employment. Jobseekers with criminal records, low-or-no marketable skills, little-or-no work experience, and/or a history of dependence on public-assistance programs sometimes require an even more heightened level of job-preparation service.
Our Spotlight! is shining brightly on two customers—among an average of 170 a month—who have bid farewell to welfare through Innovative, Exceptional, and Trusted KRA workfare programs, and the collaborative support of dedicated community partner-stakeholders.
“I will prepare and someday my chance will come.” Abraham Lincoln. When Latrease enrolled in the Abled Bodied Adult Without Dependents Work Program, a resource of KRA/PGWorks—operated for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services—she feared that her record of multiple felony charges would prevent her from ever working again.
However, KRA/PGWorks collaborated with the PG County One-Stop Career Center to secure Latrease a Fidelity Bond under the Federal Bonding Program, insuring an employer for any type of embezzlement, forgery, larceny, or theft during the first 6 months of employment.
Bonded and equipped with job-search skills gained through the KRA Job-Readiness Academy, Latrease’s chance came when she found employment as a Donations Attendant with a metropolitan-area, non-profit thrift store.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Benjamin Franklin. Through KRA/Baltimore Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services—operated for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services—Maya expanded her employment options through workplace-skills enhancement, participating in Professional Development and Microsoft Digital Literacy Courses.
Also, Maya attended “Turnaround Tuesday”, a BUILD initiative through which she learned of five University of Maryland Medical Center job openings, interviewing for one, but not hired. Two weeks later, she interviewed again and was hired as a Unit Secretary. Recently, the Human Services Director e-mailed KRA/Baltimore that “Maya is one of the best employees she has had in 15 years of working at UMMC.”