• JumpStart Graduates its Fifth Class
• City Councilwoman Introduces 'Ban the Box' Bill
• Baltimore City Paper, "'Box'-ing Our Ears" (Letter to the Editor) (08/08/2007)

OTHER NEWS

• New York Times, "The Danger Zone" (03/15/2007)
• New York Times, "Education, Education, Education" (03/05/2007)

UPCOMING EVENTS

• The Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Network Baltimore Committee to Host Two Learing Events (09/07 and 09/12/2007)

OPPORTUNITIES

• Mayors Office of Employment Development (MOED) Seek Executive Liaison for Public Policy
• Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Announce Funding Availability for Building Program Capacity–Adult Education and Literacy Services
• The Workforce Strategy Center Invites Applications for the ABE Career Connections Project
• Open Society Institute - Baltimore Seeks Program Associate - National Initiative to Close the Drug Addiction Treatment Gap
• Open Society Institute - Baltimore Seeks Part-Time Communications Program Assistant
• Open Society Institute - Baltimore Seeks Part-Time Program Assistant - Baltimore Community Fellowships Program
• Primo Electric Company / Primenet Inc Job Opportunities

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Jumpstart Graduates its Fifth Class

On August 27, 2007, JOTF graduated 17 people from its Jumpstart program. Jumpstart trains Baltimore residents for carpentry, electrical and plumbing jobs. Graduates completed a 3-month program that taught the fundamentals of construction, CPR, and math that is needed on the job. They also received their OSHA certification.

The keynote speaker for the graduation was Ken Banks, president and CEO of Banks Construction/Development. Mr. Banks’ company is an integral part of the development team responsible for the 750-room Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel and the University of Maryland Biotech Building. Mr. Banks described his career path from one as a carpenter’s helper to the owner of a multi-million dollar company and urged the students to work hard and remain focused on their career goals.

Students will now begin working in the construction industry and become apprentices in their chosen field. Once completed, students will be earning a family-supporting wage that can exceed $50,000.

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City Council Woman Introduces 'Ban the Box' Bill

On July 16, 2007, Councilwoman Sharon Green Middleton introduced “Ban the Box” legislation before the Baltimore City Council. The bill, 07-0741, would promote fair criminal record screening practices by removing the question on City job applications where prospective employees are asked to check the box “yes” or “no” to indicate if they have ever been convicted of a crime.

It’s important to note that the measure does not prohibit Baltimore City from conducting background checks. It simply defers the criminal history check until the point in the process where applicants are deemed otherwise qualified for the position. This effort mirrors successful "ban-the-box" initiatives in other cities, and is championed by supporters as a way to ease employment discrimination against people with criminal records. By removing the question from applications, candidates will be interviewed based on their qualifications alone, instead of being automatically dismissed due to their checking of the box.

As of today, a hearing has not yet been scheduled. If you would like to be notified once the hearing is scheduled, or if you would like information on how you can support the effort in Baltimore (by testifying, contacting members of the City Council, etc.), please contact Melissa Chalmers Broome at 410-234-8046.

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Baltimore City Paper, "'Box'-ing Our Ears" (Letter to the Editor) (08/08/2007)

In a letter to the Baltimore City Paper, August 8, 2007, Jason Perkins-Cohen explains how an appropriate bill removes the box on the job application where prospective city employees are asked to check "yes" or "no" if they have ever been convicted of a crime.

Read "'Box'-ing Our Ears" (Letter to the editor)

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New York Times, "The Danger Zone" (03/15/2007)

At a recent hearing of the Joint Economic Committee on joblessness among black men, members of Congress heard that for black male dropouts, unemployment during the past few years has ranged from 59 – 72%, compared to 29% of white male dropouts and 19% of Hispanic dropouts. At the same time, the federal government has been steadily reducing funding for training and education programs that help move disadvantaged people into the labor market.

Read "The Danger Zone" (03/15/2007)

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New York Times, "Education, Education, Education" (03/05/2007)

A report from the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University in Boston shows that the level of educational attainment dramatically improves employment rates for men in three race/ethnic groups: blacks, Hispanics, and whites. The effects of education on employment are the greatest for black males, with lifetime earnings of graduates from four-year colleges of over a million dollars more than the mean lifetime earnings of black high school graduates.

Read "Education, Education, Education" (03/05/2007)

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UPCOMING EVENTS

The Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Network Baltimore Committee to Host Two Learing Events (09/07 and 09/12/2007)

Affordable Housing Market and Baltimore City Inclusionary Housing Law

To be held at
Stadium Place, Venable II
1030 East 33rd, Baltimore, MD 21218

Friday September 7, 2007
09.30 a.m. - 10.30 a.m

Presentations by:
Bibi Hidalgo, CPHA
Dunbar Brooks, Baltimore Metropolitan Council
Sally Scott, Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative

*Special Session*
10.30 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.

Next steps and Future Learning Events
What do we need to know to be more effective?

~ AND ~

Maryland Affordable Housing Trust Training

To be held at:
Office of Neighborhood Revitalization
1201 W Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21223

Wednesday September 12, 2007
09.00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m.

In partnership with:
Maryland DHCD Office of Neighborhood Revitalization and Catalyst Program

Please join your colleagues for training about how to apply for funds
from the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust

Please inform your colleagues and coworkers who may be interested in attending either or both of these events.

TO RSVP, please reply to jwilson@ihpip.com, include your name and organization – as well as which event date(s).

For more information contact Michelle Decker

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Mayors Office of Employment Development (MOED) Seek Executive Liaison for Public Policy

The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED), Baltimore’s workforce investment agency and one-stop career center operator, is seeking an experienced public policy/legislative professional to identify emerging issues in the workforce development arena, monitor developments, and ensure that the agency’s legislative and budgetary priorities receive attention at the federal, state and local levels.

Click here for full description.

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Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Announce Funding Availability for Building Program Capacity–Adult Education and Literacy Services

The mission of the Maryland State Department of Education’s Adult Education and Literacy Services Branch (MSDE-AELS) is to increase literacy acquisition for out-of-school youth, English Language Learners (ELLs), and other adult learners who do not have a high school diploma. Priority learners are those functioning at the lowest literacy level. Organizations selected for this grant will enhance their capacity to contribute to this mission. Grantees who meet success will be encouraged to apply for other public and private grants for Adult Education and Literacy Services.

The purpose of the Building Program Capacity grant program is to assist community-based organizations to develop the infrastructure to operate an instructional program which meets state adult education standards that result in increased learner outcomes. The focus of the grant is to develop grant leadership staff and to assist grantees to align standards, assessment, instruction, and accountability.

Click here for full RFP description.

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The Workforce Strategy Center Invites Applications for the ABE Career Connections Project

The Workforce Strategy Center and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, invite local adult basic education (ABE) programs across the country to apply for the ABE Career Connections project.

Five sites will be selected to receive support in the development and implementation of new or improved approaches to build upon their current involvement in career pathways. The ABE Career Connections project will demonstrate how ABE programs can operate within career pathways to prepare students for postsecondary courses leading to a degree or occupational certificate targeted toward an industry important to a regional economy.

Each winner will receive $75,000.00, technical assistance, and national recognition.

For more information, visit the Workforce Strategy Center.

Applications are due September 5, 2007.

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Open Society Institute - Baltimore Seeks Program Associate - National Initiative to Close the Drug Addiction Treatment Gap

The Open Society Institute works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens.

The Program Associate, based in Baltimore, provides critical administrative and programmatic support for the National Initiative to Close the Drug Addiction Treatment Gap based at OSI-Baltimore and the Baltimore-focused Tackling Drug Addiction Program at OSI-Baltimore.

Click here for full description.

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Open Society Institute - Baltimore Seeks Part-Time Communications Program Assistant

The Open Society Institute–Baltimore is seeking to fill a paid part-time position to provide program assistance to the communications program.

Click here for full description.

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Open Society Institute - Baltimore Seeks Part-Time Program Assistant - Baltimore Community Fellowships Program

The Open Society Institute–Baltimore is seeking to fill a paid part-time Office Assistant position to provide general program assistance to the Director of Community Fellowships and Initiatives.

Click here for full description.

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Since their founding more than 40 years ago, Primo Electric Company has promoted an environment where people take pride in their work. As a result, Primo employees enjoy challenging careers, valuable educational opportunities and a competitive wage and benefit package. All in a workplace that emphasizes teamwork, safety, commitment and mutual respect.

Whether seeking an apprenticeship, laborer, journeyman, foreman, or equipment operator position, Primo Electric offers numerous career opportunities.

PrimeNet Inc specializes in helping clients define, optimize, and manage their voice, data, video, and security communication systems. At PrimeNet, pride is more than just a feeling; its a concrete attitude and philosophy that influences every aspect of their business. As a result, employees enjoy challenging careers, valuable educational opportunities (Including onsite BICSI® certification) and a competitive wage and benefits package. All in a workplace that emphasizes teamwork, safety, commitment and mutual respect.

Click here to view Primo Electric Company and Primenet Inc job opportunities.

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Newsletter Editor: Jessica Traskey
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