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.
August 23, 2016
Juneau Empire: Central Council abruptly reduces employment training, support services
Due to a $650,000 cut in federal funding, Southeast’s largest tribal organization is discontinuing employment training and other services impacting more than 230 tribal citizens throughout the region.
[…] CCTHITA’s work experience program is just one of the effects of the federal budget cut. CCTHITA has received funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs since 1995 for programs that help low-income individuals get off public assistance through job training and support services. These programs are collectively known at 477 services, which refers to the federal Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992. This year, CCTHITA had budgeted $2.6 million for 477 programs. Corrine Garza, CCTHITA chief operating officer, said the budget shortfall stems from a lower than expected congressional appropriation to BIA.
[…] Support services were crucial, Martin said. “Just those basic extras that are needed in certain jobs or to assist them to retain employment, like the child care or get them a bus pass, interview clothing, work clothing — all those types of things we’re no longer able to provide to them,” he said.
August 22, 2016
Forbes: Inside Eat Offbeat, The Refugee-Run Kitchen That’s Satisfying Adventurous Eaters with a Taste for Social Good.
Chef Dhuha Jasim grew up eating potato kibbeh croquettes at home in Iraq. Now she earns a living wage preparing her mother’s exact recipe for New Yorkers at Eat Offbeat. The for-profit caterer specializes in authentic cuisine cooked by recently arrived refugee chefs for a growing list of corporate and non-profit clients in New York City. The small business currently employs a dozen of them, and right now, all of them are women.
[…] The women come to Eat Offbeat with a passion for home cooking but no commercial kitchen experience and minimal English skills. That’s where Juan Suarez de Lezo comes in. He’s Eat Offbeat’s chief culinary officer, and an alumnus of Michelin-starred restaurants like El Bulli and Per Se.
[…] The biggest problem is getting new employees to the Long Island City kitchen.
August 19, 2016
The Sparta Independent: Youth Corps offers a brighter future with diplomas and jobs
Project Self-Sufficiency, at a press conference last Thursday morning, announced the launch of the New Jersey Youth Corps to serve Sussex and Northern Warren County residents, ages 16 – 25, who have not completed high school.
[…] The sixteen-week program launches on October 10 and includes assessments, testing, employability skills training, life skills workshops, academic instruction, community service projects, field trips, and counseling services. Program participants will prepare for the high school equivalency examination, and receive a stipend of $100 per week, based on attendance for the full week. Free transportation is provided. Childcare is also provided free of charge at the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center.
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