January 2017

In This Newsletter
Employer Spotlight
Peoplestown Community Safety Partnership
STRIVE Training
Tax Season is here
New Workforce Manager
Donor Spotlight

UPCOMING EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS

Mon. Jan. 23  - Construction Ready Training begins; 7am

Mon. Jan. 23 - VITA Tax Preparation Begins; Make an appointment at 404-223-3303

Mon. Jan. 30 - All Services Orientation; 9am

Sat. Feb. 4  -  Homebuyers Education Course; 8am

Mon. Feb. 6 - First STRIVE Training begins; 9am 

Mon. Feb. 6 - Driver Ready Training begins; 7am 

Wed. Mar. 8 - TCWFI host International Women's Day Lunch & Discussion; 12pm
 
Partner Highlight
 
The Center for Black Women's Wellness is recruiting for its Women Economic Self-Sufficiency Program. The 17-week course runs from February through June covering everything from ideation to business plan development.  In addition to workshop style trainings, program benefits include peer-to-peer support; one-on-one coaching, access to financial resources; and networking opportunities. All persons interested must attend the next information session on January 24th at 6pm. Call 404-688-9202 ext 123 for details. 



 
Employer Spotlight
 
Our work is made whole with the support of our Employer Partner network. Special recognition to Duty Free Americas for helping us place participants in entry-level positions. Kudos partner!



If you're interested in employing well-trained candidates, contact Africa Roberson at aroberson@tcwfi.org.
DONATE TO TCWFI

Dear Reader, 

Exciting things are happening at The Center for Working Families everyday and we want you to be in the know! In this review, you will learn about the Center's recent news, upcoming events , employer partnerships and other news. Read on and enjoy!
Peoplestown Community Safety Partnership
The Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI) Program is a part of the Obama Administration's larger Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI) that helps local and tribal communities develop place-based, community-oriented strategies with coordinated federal support to change neighborhoods of distress into neighborhoods of opportunity.

In neighborhoods across the country, BCJI projects work to reduce crime and improve community safety as part of a comprehensive strategy to advance neighborhood revitalization goals. Through a broad cross-sector partnership team, including residents, BCJI sites focus resources in community "hotspots" to improve safety through social, economic, or environmental strategies.

In 2016, a host of partners in the Peoplestown community launched a collective entitled, the Peoplestown Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) to create a plan with the intend of addressing crime in the neighborhood. Since launching, the group has surveyed over 270 residents and hosted large focus group conversations with 60 young people.  Read the full report  here.  The collective plans to use the gathered data to apply for a solution implementation grant later this year. 

PCSP partners include:
  • Atlanta Restorative Justice Center
  • Annie E. Casey Foundation, Atlanta Civic Site
  • D.H. Stanton Elementary School
  • Emmaus House
  • Fountain Temple A.M.E.
  • Masjid Al-M'uminun
  • Peoplestown Neighborhood Association
  • The Center for Working Families, Inc.
  • The Study Hall, Inc.
  • Atlanta Police Department, Zone 3
Peoplestown residents can get involved by contacting Marcus Hall ( mhall@tcwfi.org).  
TCWFI to Adopt the STRIVE Training Model
For eight years, The Center provided soft skills training under our Job Readiness model.  The curriculum helped prepare individuals seeking to improve workforce search strategies and skills. The curriculum included six skill areas: workforce preparation, communication, interpersonal skills, life management, decision making and customer service. Additionally, our 20 day Computer Training Course covered business software applications and helps participants become more proficient and confident in using the computer for daily work activities. 

While we are proud of this work, we look forward to working with national partners under the STRIVE curriculum. STRIVE has a 30 year proven track record of successful training, job placement and job retention. We will host an orientation on January 30th to discuss our training programs. Interested candidates can RSVP by calling 404-223-3303. 
It's tax season!
January 23 - April 18 we will provide free tax prep   for persons who earned less than $54,000 in 2016. Schedule your appointment today by calling 404-223-3303!

Since 2009 TCWFI has participated in United Way of Greater Atlanta's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) campaign, resulting in more than $10 million returned to the community in tandem with a suite of financial literacy and asset building supports. In 2016, TCWFI was the second highest VITA site in Atlanta, preparing more than 1,300 returns for residents, free of charge; contributing over $1.8 million back into the community with more than $940,000 in earned income tax credit returned to low to moderate income working individuals and couples.
Are you looking to enter the Construction or Driver fields?
Construction and Driver Ready  at TCWFI equips participants with the fundamental tools, long term supports and access to jumpstart careers in construction and mixer driver. In its pilot year, 60 residents were trained in Construction and Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class B, earning over eight (8) nationally recognized certifications. The Construction Ready training is a partnership between The Center for Working Families and the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia. The  Driver Ready training is in partnership with Georgia Piedmont Technical College and The Center for Working Families. These programs are made possible with the support of The Atlanta CareerRise, Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds provided by the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency and The Annie E. Casey Foundation.  

Our next class will start on January 23 and February 6, 2017. Interested candidates can read more or register  here.
Cooking Matters at The Center for Working Families
As part of the Share Our Strength No Kid Hungry campaign, Cooking Matters helps families shop for and cook healthy meals on a budget. The Center for Working Families is partnering with local Cooking Matters lead, Open Hand to present a six week class where students will explore how to cook budget efficient and healthy recipes for the whole family. This is an exclusive opportunity for our Two Generation parents.  We will host two demo classes on February 9 & 23, 2017. 

Two Generation families interested in enrolling should contact Keren Cadet at kcadet@tcwfi.org or 404-230-7155. 
Meet Africa Roberson, TCWFI Workforce Manager
In November 2016, Africa Roberson joined The Center to serve as our new Workforce Manager.  Africa brings over 15 years of workforce development management and leadership experience from working with local entities including Quest Workforce Development Center and Urban League of Greater Atlanta.  Africa is dedicated to community empowerment and improvement as well as workforce development.  She has maintained the thought that education and employment are the keys to success.   Africa will manage The Center's employer partnerships, activities and strategies.  She can be reached at aroberson@tcwfi.org.  

Download Africa's full biography here.
Donor Spotlight: Olivia Alston
I became involved with the Center for Working Families as a result of being an employee. I was hired under an one year contract to offer asset building courses to Atlanta residents. That one year contract turned into a six year stay to support the mission and work of TCWFI. After leaving as an employee I remain an active volunteer and donor because I believe the organization has a  serious dedication to improving the lives of families in some of Atlanta's most under-served communities. As a volunteer, I offer asset building lessons to the Center's Construction Ready cohorts. While at the Center  I had the pleasure of meeting many families that have been positively impacted by their  programs and services. I've seen the work up close. I know that it is hard, long hours, but such rewarding work. In order to build stronger and better communities, families need an advocate. Everyday, the Center is helping families build.

Olivia Alston is the  Income Manager at  United Way of Greater Atlanta