Success Story - El Paso

With unemployment in El Paso almost double the national average, the need for a proper job training initiative became critical. Project ARRIBA (Advanced Retraining Redevelopment Initiative Border Areas) has demonstrated a model for success by graduating 60 participants into high demand occupations that were conventionally filled by people outside of our community. The El Paso EZ has supported Project ARRIBA for 2 years and believes that investing in human capital is economic development that WORKS! Project ARRIBA's mission is to provide long-term high skilled training and case management services to eligible El Paso County residents who require the occupational skills necessary to access jobs in hard to fill demand occupations that pay a living wage of at least $10.50 per hour, with benefits and a career path.

Norma Melendez, a participant of Project ARRIBA and an EZ resident, was displaced from a high paying job in February of 2002. She is a single parent of two special needs (school age) children. "Thanks in part to the Empowerment Zone and Project ARRIBA who believed in me, I was given an opportunity of a lifetime…that is to return to school and receive a College Degree. I will finish school in December 2004 as a Registered Nurse." Ms. Melendez added: "I will be able to pay back the community by staying in El Paso and become a contributing tax paying citizen of our society again. I will be able to set an example not only to my small children but also to the rest of the community and demonstrate where there is a will there is a way."

Currently Project ARRIBA has over 300 program participants sponsored in long-term training in Allied Health and Information Technology career fields. Over 74% of Project ARRIBA Participants are studying in the Allied Health field, which will help to alleviate the shortage of health professionals in our community. Combined with all fields of study, the retention rate is over 80%.

Demographically, the typical participant in the program is 33 years old, Hispanic married female with two children, and is receiving some form of government assistance in the form of TANF and/or food stamps. Over 66% of the total program participants fall at or below 150% of the Health and Human Services Poverty Guideline. Project ARRIBA participants excel in the classroom: on average 62% of participants are maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. The VIPs stress the importance of life skills needed in the business sector, including time management, establishing a good work ethic, showing responsibility, developing good communication skills, and demonstrating good critical thinking ability. Project ARRIBA works with participants after job placement, maintaining cohesive relationships with them and their employer to ensure job retention.

Through the assistance and collaboration Project ARRIBA shares with the El Paso Empowerment Zone Corporation, Project ARRIBA can continue their mission of bridging the skills gap in El Paso's labor market by training qualified El Paso EZ residents in long-term, in-demand occupations that pay a living wage.

For further information on Project ARRIBA, contact Kathy Cox, CEO at (915) 843-4055.

EZ Funding Leverages Additional Funds for Affordable Housing in South El Paso

El Paso's Southside, where El Paso got its start, was once a bustling neighborhood of resident and factories. The North American Free Trade Agreement has since sent this aging community's vibrant spirit spiraling downward. Employment in El Paso's Southside has declined as the neighborhood's garment factories have either closed their doors or relocated to other countries. In the absence of business, area properties are being left to deteriorate or are sold to developers, leading to a decline in property values.

The human spirit continues to grow and to combat this trend, the El Puente Community Development Corporation, a grassroots initiated 501 (c) (3) met these challenges head on by constructing eight new two-story, townhouse multi-family apartments, aptly named "Uxmal," which means 'thrice-built' in Mayan. El Puente demolished the existing building which was a safety hazard and been set on fire twice. With an EZ grant fund of $184,000, El Puente leveraged nearly 4:1 to complete the construction. EZ contractors were hired for the process and their businesses flourished. Three times was a charm for this edifice.

These spacious abodes were created to provide affordable, safe, decent housing to displaced workers and other low-income residents at 50% or below other Median Family Income level. They are larger than average and are designed to be used as an incubator for home ownership. Improving tenant's credit history, building a positive track record of responsible housing management, and accumulating resources towards a down payment all work towards El Puente's goal of shifting tenants from renters to owners within three years of entering the apartments.

To learn more about the El Puente Community Development Corporation, contact Carmen Felix, Project Manager, El Puente Housing at 915.544-9721.

EZ Funds Secures Vans for Transporting Residents to Work

What does one do when they have no personal means of transportation and must arrive to work daily so as to support his/her family? They MOVE about in one of four vans purchased with $120,000 EZ grant money through the Mobilize Occupation, Vocation and Education services called Job Express.

As evidence of its commitment to promoting welfare to work initiatives, Job Express is a project of Sun Metro in partnership with the El Paso Transportation Alliance. The mission of the Alliance is to support the efforts of those trying to move from welfare to work by eliminating the barrier of transportation. Job Express is responsive to requests for late night, weekend, and flexible shift transportation. Eligible clients can use Job Express wherever they need to get to school, work, job training or employment interviews and even assists in getting children to school or daycare. While the trip will cost $2.00 round trip, there are free or discounted tickets available at most employment and social service providers, many of whom are EZ partners such as Project Vida, CDBC, Opportunity Coalition for the Homeless and Centro Salud La Fe, Familiar La Fe, Inc.

Initiated in October 2002, first quarter reports indicate over 600 non-duplicate clients were served, the majority of those EZ residents. "One of fifteen trained drivers will arrive in a Job Express van at the designated time and location to take the individual to either their place of employment, or to job interviews," says Program Manager, Linda DeBeer. "We are also very pleased that we have created these 15 new jobs for former welfare recipients, several of whom are EZ residents."

For more information on the Job Express, M.O.V.E. El Paso! Program, contact Transit Community Relations Manager Paul Stresow at 915-534-5889.

Lofty Dreams Made for Lofty Living in an Effort to Revitalize Downtown El Paso

Build it and they will come, or at least that's the premise that architects, Frederic Dalbin and Geoffrey Wright and EZ business owner Enoch Kimmelman are realizing.

The Downtown Lofts project takes a bold step in this direction. The building, a Trost & Trost National Historic Landmark was renovated and rehabilitated into the first mixed-use development in Downtown El Paso. Union Fashion Center is home to the Bridge Center Café, Gift Shop and Art Gallery; a designer retail Clothing Store, and loft apartments on three upper floors of the building.

On several weekends a month the Bridge Center for Contemporary Arts is often bustling with patrons who come see a variety of performers. From poetry reading to cultural music, sounds of laughter and coffee or tea cups clanging can be heard in what was once a blighted neighborhood of Downtown.

$480,000 EZ funds were invested toward the two million dollar project that was a catalyst in making this dream come to fruition. "Our costs are already on the high end for El Paso," Dalbin said. "The Empowerment Zone funding keeps rent prices down." Floor plans range from an efficiency 1055 sq. ft. to a 1196 sq. ft. two bedroom. The waiting list for the twelve units went as high as 88 by the time the units were completed in December 2002.

Downtown El Paso can be revitalized only with the proper balance of entertainment, art & culture, retail, hospitality and mixed income housing. Union Fashion Center is the residential component that supports the economic and social base.

For more information on the Downtown Lofts contact Frederic Dalbin at 915-533-3777.