Weekly Roundup of the news on women and supportive services in job training programs.
Job training can provide an entry into family-sustaining jobs and careers. Many women in job training programs, however, face obstacles to success. Wraparound services—such as child care assistance, access to public benefits, and transportation or housing assistance—can help adults, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, to complete programs that will ultimately improve their economic standing.
April 15, 2016
NPR: This Bakery Offers A Second Chance for Women After Prison
It’s [Together We Bake] a bakery in Alexandria, Va. that makes granola, cookies and kale chips for local eateries and a local Whole Foods store. It’s also a job-training and coaching program for women in need of a second chance — many of whom have served time in prison, or are on probation following criminal charges.
[…] Together We Bake also weaves in resilience training and empowerment classes to help trainees cope with their challenges. The sessions are overseen by Wright, who has a background in social work, and they’re often led by women who’ve been through the program. The curriculum is based on a book titled Houses of Healing, which lays out a mindfulness-based, research driven approach to help people change their behavior and overcome feelings of negativity and lack of self worth.
April 14, 2016
The Hour: FESP program helps women in need continue education
Now, The Family Economic Security Program, which comes from the Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls, is expanding, having started in September at Bridgeport’s Housatonic Community College. […] For five years, Norwalk Community College has been at the forefront of a program that provides low-income women with scholarships, emergency funds, financial and achievement coaching, and peer-to-peer mentoring.
[…] Citing trends that show younger, single mothers often working in low-wage jobs, if they are able to be employed at all, the program’s founders decided to tackle a skills gap that is keeping more women and families in poverty. Today, the enhanced FESP entails a workforce development component, coaching support, financial literacy development and access to community supports and more.
April 11, 2016
Richmond Times-Dispatch: Va., CVS collaborate on training program for young adults with disabilities
After graduating from Varina High School in Henrico in June 2014, Rushing entered a job training program at the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center in Augusta County.
Each year, the center helps about 3,000 people with disabilities attain independence, medical rehabilitation and employment through a variety of services. The center offers training in more than half a dozen trades, including automotive maintenance, food service, information technology and manufacturing.
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