Create a Workforce Development Program with the Resources You Have

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Description:

The single-most important factor to achieving greater self-sufficiency is finding and keeping a job. However, if one does not possess the skills to compete in today’s job market, achieving greater economic independence is a difficult goal to accomplish. To equip residents with the skills they need to succeed, Neighborhood Networks centers across the country offer workforce development programs that are as diverse as their residents. From full-service job-training and -placement centers to small, one-on-one job search assistance, Neighborhood Networks centers are helping residents become more self-sufficient. This session discusses the benefits of a workforce development program and explains how centers can establish a workforce development program with the resources they have. Neighborhood Networks centers will describe their workforce development programs and offer tips on how participants can launch their own program that puts people to work and on the road to self-sufficiency.

Presenters:

Miles Graham
Assistant Vice President
St. Johns Empowerment Center
Phone: (501) 280-0037

Beth Southorn
Co-Executive Director
LifeSTEPS
Phone: (916) 730-8721

Miles Graham has worked hard to change the lives of people and families living in subsidized housing in Arkansas and around the country through his support for the Neighborhood Networks Initiative. He served at one of the most successful, nationally recognized Neighborhood Networks centers. Mr. Graham serves as president of Community Builders of Arkansas and the Arkansas Neighborhood Networks Consortium, and is president and executive board member of the Neighborhood Networks National Consortium. Mr. Graham is also involved with many community organizations and was previously the Governor's appointee to the School Education Reevaluation Project. Mr. Graham is the co-owner of Intrepid Management, Inc., a management agent specializing in troubled Section 8 properties. With the help of his business partners, Mr. Graham is changing the way Section 8 projects are being managed. He is also the compliance officer for United Properties Management, Inc. Mr. Graham earned a doctorate in psychology in 2003.

Beth Southorn has been working in the social service field for more than 19 years. Currently, she serves as the co-executive director for LifeSTEPS, a nonprofit organization that provides social services to more than 110 affordable housing communities throughout the states of California and Washington that serve more than 35,000 individuals each day. Ms. Southorn has experience with the mental health population, the aging, the homeless, the incarcerated, individuals in drug and alcohol recovery, domestic violence, and welfare recipients. Her experience in diversity, leadership, and program development has allowed her to form national models of success with vocational rehabilitation and affordable housing programs. Ms. Southorn earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Notre Dame de Namur and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Francisco State University.

	Presentation
	Developing a Workforce Development Program
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