United Way’s WPN Addresses Poverty by Preparing Workers

 

The Workforce Preparation Network (WPN), a United Way of Monroe County initiative, is making an impact on youth and displaced workers. Forty community partners in business, industry, social service, education, government, and labor are working together to help Monroe County residents increase economic self-sufficiency and decrease poverty. With $178,000 in support from the Lilly Endowment (through the Indiana Association of United Ways 4Community program), WPN partners are coordinating their resources to help students and adults achieve their educational, vocational, and life goals.

The 2003 SCAN assessment revealed that poverty is one of the most pressing issues in Monroe County. Further research attributed this, in part, to a lack of youth work skills, high drop-out rates, and under-employment. Through WPN, a diverse group of dedicated partners work to reverse this trend by equipping our youth and transitional workers with tools to succeed in the highly competitive and rapidly changing 21st century economy.

United Way of Monroe County is dedicated to ensuring that all residents have access to the skills and supports that will allow them to be economically self-sufficient.  Several WPN initiatives help achieve this goal:

Student Skill Sets Expand

The Strategic and Tactical Solutions Implementation, coordinated by Bloomington Life Sciences Partnership (BLSP) and the Franklin Initiative, will instill crucial workforce skills in high school students through the expansion of existing programs that have proven results.  Two interactive tools will be introduced into the student curriculum. They will help students highlight job skills that need improvement and provide training in areas such as team work, listening skills, and technology. These WPN partners will also foster lasting relationships between students and potential employers through job shadowing and internship opportunities.

Real World Life Sciences: Teachers and Businesses Team Up

Through the BLSP and Franklin Initiative, high-tech employers in Monroe County partner with K-12 teachers to expose students to “real-world” life sciences concepts. By working with local employers, students learn about rewarding career opportunities within Monroe County and are prepared to solve real challenges in the life sciences field.

Helping Students Graduate

Nurturing Each To Success (NETS) strives to ensure that students achieve their high school diploma or GED. Collaboration between Monroe County Community School Corporation and vital social services ensures that students feel safe and connected to their school. Through the development of key indicators, students identified as at-risk of dropping out are provided with the additional support they need to graduate.

Resource Center

United Way and the Monroe County Public Library are working to increase access to career development tools through their partnership. A new resource center at United Way offers specialized materials for nonprofits. The Monroe County Public Library will house more workforce development literature in its collection. This initiative will allow our community’s workforce access to relevant and up-to-date career information.

Teen Work Skills through Digital Media

Members of Rhino’s Youth Center and Girls Inc. of Monroe County are teaching their peers about skills necessary for the workplace through digital media, audio public service announcements, and even a comic book. After interviewing employers and gathering information, these young professionals produce scripts and materials that show examples of important work skills. After the approved projects are completed, they will be used at schools and organizations across Monroe County.  This program provides participating youth with “real world” experiences, following the Junior Achievement model.

Social Entrepreneurship

In the upcoming year, Middle Way House will be expanding its food service business, Middleway Food Works. It is also working with other WPN partners to develop a referral program for transitional workers. Through this program, adults from local social service agencies and successful graduates of the drug rehabilitation court will be able to find employment in an encouraging environment. With its Social Entrepreneurship program, Middleway Food Works will act as a training and business model for new initiatives. WPN partners and SEED Corp. will develop business planning classes, and a regional marketing program will be implemented to support new ventures.

HIRE Certification

Coordinated by Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington, Work One Bloomington/ Indiana Department of Workforce Development, MCCSC Adult Education, and Franklin Initiative/Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, the Help In Reaching Employment (H.I.R.E) program will provide students and adults with certification in areas such as computer operations, general office administration, applied math and science skills, and soft skill development.  Using the WorkKeys program (Indiana DWD) as a baseline, H.I.R.E. will provide specific skill-set training, as identified by local employers.  H.I.R.E. also offers flexibility in the training methods to better accommodate individual needs, offering, for the first time, a choice between classroom-based learning and computer-aided self study.  A key element of the H.I.R.E. program is the marketing to employers so that a certificate holder will receive preferential treatment in securing a job interview.  

Latino Outreach

MCCSC and the Latino Outreach Division of the City of Bloomington Department of Family Resources will team up for the Latino GED Outreach program. The Latino GED program will help ensure all members of our Latino community are afforded the opportunity to earn, at least, a GED certificate.  Initial lessons can be taught in Spanish so the student may make progress towards a GED while learning the English language.  Counseling and encouragement of post-GED training, including referral to the H.I.R.E. Certification program, are an essential element of the program.