NEWARK, N.J. (September 22, 2015) -- The National Urban League marked the two-year anniversary of its landmark, $100 million private-public partnership, Jobs Rebuild America, with the announcement of a $2 million, multi-year expansion in Essex County, New Jersey.
“Through Jobs Rebuild America, the Urban League of Essex County has served hundreds of job-seekers, from teens to senior citizens, and is poised to serve at least 500 more in the coming year,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “Essex County has shown that public-private-nonprofit partnerships can drive job creation and the program innovation required to revitalize struggling communities.”
Vivian Cox Fraser, President and CEO of the Urban League of Essex County, said, “We believe that jobs provide much more than money. Work brings purpose, pride and dignity – assets that support our will and determination to lead productive lives. Working in partnership with our parent organization, as well as city and county government and local businesses, we’ve been able to put hundreds of people on the path to stable, family sustaining jobs. We’re gratified to be able to continue this incredibly important mission.”
The National Urban League in 2013 launched Jobs Rebuild America, a solutions-based, comprehensive approach to the nation’s employment and education crisis, brings together federal government, business, and nonprofit resources to create economic opportunity in 50 communities across the country through the Urban League affiliate network.
The community investment component is a $100 million, five-year multi-platform effort designed to reach job-seekers, vulnerable youth and entrepreneurs. The initiative uses a comprehensive community development model that includes program offerings such as job-training for youth (18-24) and mature workers (55+), college preparation, a jobs network, entrepreneurship support, small business financing and resources, and tax credits, among others.
Since the initial Jobs Rebuild America launch in 2012, Urban League of Essex County received nearly $2 million dollars in subgrants to expand their programs serving formerly incarcerated young adults and high school drop outs as well as unemployed seniors 55 years and older. Participants receive case management support, job readiness and placement services, mentoring, restorative justice and education and training opportunities as well as paid community service assignments and paid summer jobs/ internships.
Morial also announced an expansion of the National Urban League’s sector-based work through the National Supply Chain Skills Initiative (NSCSI). NSCSI will provide education and job placement support to over 3,000 individuals in nine cities in the supply chain sector for eight occupations. Specifically, the grant will address issues faced by the long-term unemployed/dislocated worker and prepare them for jobs in the supply chain industry.
The Urban League of Essex County, along with nearby Union County Urban League and seven other urban league affiliates, will partner with the National Urban League on this grant to support local community colleges efforts in connecting those individuals affected by trade adjustment layoffs with industry recognized credentials and jobs.
The Urban League of Essex County has received a two-year, $780,000 grant for its Urban Youth Empowerment Program, focused on formerly incarcerated young adults and high school dropouts.
Shonique Banks, Director of Youth and Young Adult Services at the Urban League of Essex County, expanded on the impact of the program.
“Our program has literally reshaped the lives of many young people in this community,” she said. “Participants come to us with a myriad of challenges, and we meet them where they are. We have created a program that tailors education and the workforce experience to meet immediate and long-term needs of our students. Building on that – there is also mentoring from positive and caring adults, service learning and leadership development that engages them in ways that lead to a sense of accomplishment and pride.
“UYEP is really a game changer for them,” Banks said. “They come with insecurities and leave with self-confidence. Where there was doubt that anyone cared or would give them a shot to succeed; now they have hope and determination to reach their goals. Through programs like UYEP, we are creating the next generation of leaders—and for that, we are proud.”
The affiliate also has received a one-year, $1.1 million grant for the Mature Worker Program, which serves unemployed seniors age 55 and older.
Alice Frazier, Director of the program at the Urban League of Essex County, spoke about the importance of the program.
“Technology and our global economy have changed the fabric of the workforce in ways that we never could have imagined,” she said. “Workers in every sector and every industry have been impacted. Relevant skill sets are necessary to enter and succeed in the workplace – education, industry-recognized certifications, and computer skills as just the start. For many mature workers, these requirements add to multiple pressures and barriers they experience in obtaining livable wage employment.
“Mature workers have a lot to offer employers – maturity, dependability, dedication and enthusiasm to say the least. They are ready to add value to businesses and our economy and are hungry for opportunity.
Frazier pointed to the success of Ms. Ernestine Norris, who after being unemployed for five years, joined our Mature Worker Program.
“In just a year, she was able to meet her education goals, earn an industry recognized SORA certification, and really ‘wow!’ her host agency leadership,” Frazier said, noting that the human resources director at the Lennard Clinic, where Norris was hired as a full-time receptionist and security officer said, “Ms. Norris has proven to be a valued staff member. She maintains a professional image at all times. She has great human relation skills…She is dependable, punctual and a team player.”
“Creating jobs and economically strengthening communities must be a collaborative effort among the government, corporate and nonprofit sectors,” Morial said. “We’re shifting the debate about the problem of unemployment to comprehensively doing what is required to solve it, and strong affiliates like the Urban League of Essex County are primed to do just that.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Teresa Candori, National Urban League
(212) 558-5362, tcandori@nul.org
Scharron Little, Urban League of Essex County
973-624-9535 x185, slittle@ulec.org
