On the way to his 4th-floor office at 200 East Lexington Street, David Clements, Founder/Executive Director, House of David Advocates for Fathers (HOD), always observed a flurry of activity on the 2nd floor. Curious, he paid a visit and discovered the Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program, operated by KRA Corporation, and funded by the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (DSS).
David Clements
Clements was welcomed warmly by KRA staff, who were eager to learn about HOD and how it assists fathers in assuming a more participatory role in their children’s growth and development. Since 90% of KRA/DSS customers are women with dependent children, a potential linkage between the two operations was pretty clear: where there are mothers and kids, there may be fathers in need of assistance not far away—several of whom have already been referred by KRA/DSS to HOD for services.
Eagerness turned into excitement when staff learned that soon Clements intends to apply for a DOL Ready to Work Grant, and realizing the value of our long-standing expertise in this industry, asked KRA to collaborate as a partner. Independent of our DSS obligation, KRA will provide case management/workforce-readiness services leading to careers in high-growth industries for Baltimore’s long-term unemployed fathers.
Dr. Boone’s 20+ years’ experience in the industry is extensive and her expertise in private-, public-, and non-profit sector workforce-services organizations is unparalleled, particularly in the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan area.
