Search Results for Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program

Usually, KRA/Baltimore hosts Career Fairs, such as those organized monthly for the Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program–operated for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services.  Recently, however, Ernestine Chambers, Operations Manager, and Jermietra Carroll, Business Services Representative, attended a Job Fair sponsored by a local church. Ernestine explained, “Apparently, Judge Claudia Barber–previously a Hearing Officer for Baltimore City Public Schools–after visiting the KRA website, contacted us with an invitation to attend, which we eagerly accepted. Our goal was to meet with other local businesses and organizations, and invite them to partner with us as potential sources of volunteer opportunities
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In mid-June, we reported on a new partnership developed by the Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program for jobseekers receiving TANF benefits, KRA-operated for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, with the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC). Ernestine Chambers, Operations Manager, reports, “Recently, with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake cutting the ceremonial ribbon, customers and staff from KRA/Baltimore, and other JARC partners, celebrated the official opening of the Baltimore Technical Training Center (BTTC), specializing in job-skills development for the Advanced Manufacturing industry. Actually, the event was a kind of re-launch.  In October 2005, an international Canadian-based company opened the Magna Baltimore Technical Training Center in the then-vacant Park Heights
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For the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, KRA operates the Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program for jobseekers receiving TANF benefits, actively collaborating with local agencies and organizations to create training and employment opportunities for KRA/Baltimore customers. In March,  KRA/Baltimore developed a partnership with the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC), founded in 1985 as an economic development agency in the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor, with initial efforts dedicated to developing and operating commercial buildings for industrial use. Today, JARC operates the Center for Working Families, which specializes in job-training and certification programs that target skill-gap positions in the Manufacturing and IT
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In 1993, a City Health Department Social Worker, Joseph T. Jones, Jr.–now CEO, Center for Urban Families–established what is today The Baltimore Responsible Fatherhood Project, and since then, has been the driving force behind many ground-breaking programs for underserved Baltimoreans. Ernestine Chambers, KRA Operations Manager, TANF Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program–operated for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services–reported, “KRA/Baltimore’s partnership with CFUF has impacted our customers tremendously through STRIVE Baltimore, a training and job-placement program for hard-to-employ jobseekers.” STRIVE acceptance is extremely competitive, and completion very challenging.  Many participants do not make it to graduation.  But for those who
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Angela Smith, Career Advancement Team Lead, reports, “In April 2014, when Yolanda enrolled in the Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program–which KRA operates for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services–she was apathetic, disengaged from activities, and rarely even smiled.” However, Angela and her Team successfully began to draw Yolanda, 31, out of her shell, encouraging and motivating her until she was convinced that active participation in the Work-Readiness Workshops was not only for her benefit, but that of her child as well. “After training, Yolanda was placed with a staffing agency, and when she came to pick up her
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Indispensable to the success of the KRA/Baltimore Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program,funded by the Department of Social Services, is the Community Work Experience component, which provides jobseeker-customers with two invaluable opportunities: one, hands-on workplace experience for those with little or no work history, and two…about one-third of the time…employment for those who are work-ready! For the CWE to succeed, KRA depends on community agencies and organizations to provide 3-month volunteer positions for our customers.  One such valuable partner is the New Antioch Baptist Church, pastored by Bishop Orlando A. Wilson, and its Outreach Program, directed by Reverend Harriett
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Research studies agree: ex-offenders are less likely to return to crime—and prison—if they have jobs, a place to live, and a serious commitment to succeed.  But, more often than not, even a serious commitment is not enough for success, unless paired with an equal-or-better dose of support, from every corner of society. An indispensable ‘corner’ is represented by private- and public-sector employers willing to hire ex-offenders who are struggling to achieve a crime-free life. Recently, the Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program, KRA-operated for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, made a small—but economically and socially significant—dent in
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Tarshae Brown enrolled in KRA’s Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program, funded by the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, in April 2013.  A 21 year-old, homeless, high-school dropout—as a result of her first pregnancy—she, not surprisingly, had an “attitude” problem, really a defense mechanism fueled by a crippling sense of hopelessness. Ernestine Chambers, Operations Manager, and Johnetta Pierce and Angela Smith, Lead Career Agents, understood totally how customers’ seemingly hopeless situations lead to disinterest and that “nobody really cares” attitude.  As a team, they provided Tarshae with the coaching, guidance, and “tough love” she needed to break through
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Every KRA jobseeker-customer coming through the doors of the Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program—funded by the Baltimore City Department of Social Services for public-assistance recipients—receives a warm welcome.  However, some receive a second welcome, when they return as KRA employees! To date, KRA Corporation has hired eight customers, representing approximately 40% of the Baltimore program staff.  According to Greg Alexander, Job Coach Team Lead, “Because of their unique experiences as former KRA customers, these employees are able to apply their own special blend of knowledge, skills, and empathy to their jobs.  Their passion adds immeasurable  value  to our success in
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Recently, the Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program, operated by KRA Corporation for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, hosted a 4-hour Job Fair,  attracting 75 jobseekers and 11 employers, including The Wyndam Peabody Hotel, Dream Management Mobility, and Don Pablos’s Restaurant. Pre-screened candidates were interviewing for Administrative, Food Service, General Labor, Hospitality, Law Enforcement, Retail, and Security positions.  KRA Business Services Team members Robert Banks, Kevin Hillenburg, and Matt Lewis offered these comments: “The McDonalds recruiter was very pleased with the turn out and the overall caliber of the candidates.   Seven customers are being considered for management positions!”
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