• Valete: Kevin Griffin Moreno Leaves JOTF Taking a Position at the Baltimore Community Foundation
• Salvete: Melissa Chalmers Broome Joins JOTF
• Pre-Apprenticeship Program (Project JumpStart) Commence Classes
• Read JOTF's Research Paper on Effective Bridge Programs in Maryland
• Read the Summary from JOTF's Participation in a Community Conversation on Ex-Offender Re-Entry
• Listen to WYPR Radio Coverage of the Ex-Offender Community Conversation

OTHER NEWS

• Washington Post, "Report Calls Adult-Ed Programs Inadequate"
• MPT Spots Working Families Videos
• Daily Record; "Day Laborers Getting Shelter, Aid Center"
• Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. Introduces Fiscal Year 2007 Budget
• The Open Society Institute-Baltimore Announces the 2006 Baltimore Community Fellowships Program
• MVLS Offering Record Expungement Services

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Governor and Lt. Governor's Summit for Caring Communities in Maryland (02/27/2006)
• The Open Society Institute - Baltimore Presents "Rethinking Crime and Punishment in America: Report from the ABA Justice Kennedy Commission" (03/08/2006)
• Baltimore Sun to Host Diversity Career Fair (03/22/2006)
• MSDE Correctional Education Program Co-Sponsor Inmate Career Fair at MCIW (05/17/2006)
• ABAG to Host "Understanding Corporate Giving Programs and Foundations (05/16/2006)

OPPORTUNITIES

• Greater Homewood Community Corporation, Inc Announces the Position of Learner Advocate
• Baltimore Community Foundation Seeks Administrative Assistant to the Donor Services and Finance Departments
• MD National HIRE Network Promote the Baltimore City Mayoral Fellowship Application - Summer 2006
• Baltimore Community Foundation Seeks Major Gifts Officer and Administrative Assistant
• Baltimore Co. DSS Seeks Managers for Welfare to Work Program

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Valete: Kevin Griffin Moreno Leaves JOTF Taking a Position at the Baltimore Community Foundation

Kevin Griffin Moreno will be moving to the Baltimore Community Foundation as a Program Officer for Families, Health and Human Services. Kevin has worked at JOTF for 5 years in a variety of capacities and currently serves as our Senior Policy Advocate. He has made a huge contribution to JOTF and helped to shape policies and programs that have benefited low-income workers across the state. Kevin will remain with JOTF through the 2006 legislative session.

Salavate: Melissa Chalmers Broome Joins JOTF

Melissa Chalmers Broome has been hired as JOTF’s new Senior Policy Advocate. Melissa comes to JOTF from Catholic Charities of Maryland. She has an MBA from Loyola and significant experience working with low-income workers and job seekers.

Pre-Apprenticeship Program (Project JumpStart) Commence Classes

Twenty-two students started the Baltimore Pre-apprenticeship program (Project JumpStart) on January 30, 2006. The program targets low-skilled city residents and helps them become electricians, carpenters or plumbers. Students receive case management and job placement assistance as they prepare to enter a formal apprenticeship in their chosen field. Classes are offered two nights a week for 13 weeks. Four more classes will start during the year.

Read JOTF's Research Paper on Effective Bridge Programs in Maryland

JOTF’s research on effective bridge programs in Maryland is now available. Bridge programs help low-skilled adults access higher education and high paying jobs through intensive experiential learning and training. Programs typically involve partnerships between community colleges and the private sector. The JOTF report highlights 3 programs within the state that offer promising practices and lessons.

Click here to read Bridge Programs in Maryland: Helping Low-Skill Residents Access Postsecondary Training and High Wage Jobs.

Read the Summary from JOTF's Participation in a Community Conversation on Ex-Offender Re-Entry

On Friday, January 13, 2006, The Center for Fathers, Families, and Workforce Development, Open Society Institute - Baltimore and The Baltimore Sun presented a Community Conversation on Offender Re-Entry, featuring columnist Dan Rodricks and local and national experts on ex-prisoner reintegration policy.

Click here to read a summary of the event.

(Document is in PDF format.)

Listen to WYPR Radio Coverage of the Ex-Offender Community Conversation

WYPR 88.1-FM covers ex-offender community conversation: "Advocates aim to help ex-offenders stay out of penal system."

Click here to listen to audio file and read transcript.

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Washington Post, "Report Calls Adult-Ed Programs Inadequate"

Nearly 1 million Maryland adults lack high school diplomas or need English language instruction even as the demand for highly trained workers is increasing, according to a Maryland State Department of Education report.

The waiting list for adult education services across the state has about 5,000 people, with the largest number of people seeking instruction in English as a second language, the report said. The programs serve 36,000 to 38,000 people annually, the report said.

Maryland spent $77 per student in fiscal 2003 compared with an average of $477 per student in East Coast states on general equivalency classes, instruction in English as a second language and other literacy programs. Only Rhode Island fared worse. Maryland education officials do not promote their programs or recruit students because there's no room for additional students in classes, the study said.

Business leaders familiar with the study said this week that the shortage of skilled workers is driving businesses away from the area and damaging the economy.

"The higher the quality of the workforce, the more skilled the workforce, the more attractive the state of Maryland becomes to businesses and employers to want to relocate in Maryland . . . or to stay here in Maryland and expand their businesses," said Bob Burdon, president and chief executive of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.

Al Porter, chairman of the education committee for the Prince George's Chamber of Commerce, said he is particularly concerned about the impact on his county.

"We're on the cusp of a booming economy in Prince George's County, and if we don't have the employee base to take the jobs, I think it's going to speak to the long-term viability of our county," Porter said.

The task force that prepared the report recommended that the state spend $26.5 million over the next four or five years to strengthen adult education programs. The panel, consisting of business leaders, educators and politicians, was established by State Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick in 2004. The report was presented to the State Board of Education in December, and state officials briefed reporters this month.

Read "Report Calls Adult-Ed Programs Inadequate" in MS Word format.

MPT Spots Working Families Videos
Maryland Public Television (MPT) features 'Hard Working Families', a three video package consisting of personal stories from individuals who have used or are using services relating to reducing barriers to work. By sharing their stories, MPT captured a side of the Department of Human Resource's (DHR) work through the eyes of those who have truly changed their lives for the better, with the help of many dedicated employees and programs state-wide.

Click here to view MPT's three videos.

Daily Record: "Day Laborers Getting Shelter, Aid Center "

CASA de Maryland, an immigrant advocacy group, will open a facility offering English language classes, employment counseling and other services for Baltimore's day laborers. Two trailers will serve as an interim base while CASA searches for a permanent building to serve workers that sign on for brief stints with contractual employees.

Three similar centers have been successful in both Montgomery and Prince George's counties. "The community is more stable, the day-labor community is more accepted by the entire community, they have more jobs, they are learning English really fast", said Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA.

CASA received a $180,000 grant from the Abell Foundation for the project, and recently has been approved $75,000 by the Baltimore Board of Estimates to help fund the Baltimore aid center.

In Baltimore, day laborers are known to congregate outside convenience stores located at Lombard Street and Broadway, waiting each morning for that day's job offer. "The idea for this workers' center is that they have a space where they can be protected from bad weather and any unscrupulous employers," stated Torres.

Read the article. (Subscription required)

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. Introduces Fiscal Year 2007 Budget

On January 17, 2006, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. submitted the fiscal year 2007 operating budget for the state of Maryland.

Click here for press release from the Office of the Governor.
Click here for highlights of the Governor's FY 2007 Budget.

(Document is in PDF format.)

Open Society Institute-Baltimore Announces the 2006 Baltimore Community Fellowships Program

The Baltimore Community Fellowships Program is pleased to announce the ninth round of its Community Fellowships which will provide up to ten awards to individuals who wish to work in Baltimore City in public or community service. The Community Fellowships Program was established to assist individuals wishing to apply their educational and professional attainments in service to disadvantaged communities. The goals of these fellowships are to encourage public and community service careers, to expand the number of mentors and role models available to youth in inner-city neighborhoods, and to promote initiatives and entrepreneurship that will empower those communities to increase opportunities and improve the quality of life for their residents.

Funding Criteria

In 2006, Community Fellowships will be awarded for work in Baltimore City. Applicants may either: 1) apply for a fellowship to work at a nonprofit organization; or 2) apply for a fellowship to start a project. In cases where the fellowship takes place at an organization, applicants must secure sponsorship from that host organization. Up to 10 Community Fellowships are awarded.

Fellowship awards are in the amount of $48,750 for a term of 18 months. Other entities, including the host organization, may augment the stipend. The Fellowship Program may provide limited relief for graduate school debt payments on a case-by-case basis. The host organization is expected to provide medical benefits, space, and overhead costs as necessary. In cases of extreme hardship, the Program will reimburse the host organization or individual for the cost of medical insurance.

For more information about Community Fellowships or to receive an application, please call the Open Society Institute–Baltimore office at (410) 234-1092 ext. 214.

Deadline: Friday, April 7, 2006

MVLS Offering Record Expungement Services

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) has volunteers who provide free record expungement. Clients must be low-income and have a copy of their record.

To apply call (410) 547-6537 Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. and Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

More information about MVLS can be found at: www.mvlslaw.org

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Governor and Lt. Governor's Summit for Caring Communities in Maryland (02/27/2006)

The Governor's Summit, Building on the Commitment to Communities Initiative (BOCC) Theme: “Music to the Ears," will be held on February 27, 2006 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at Prince George's Community College, Largo, MD.

The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives is launching the BOCC Initiative, beginning with a complimentary, 1-day summit to offer a general overview of the Initiative, information about Federal and State funding processes, funding opportunities, and the requirements that come with the receipt of Federal and State funds. The Governor’s Summit is geared towards those who are new to the Initiative, have no history of applying for government grants, or have attempted to secure government funding, but have not yet been successful.

Invited speakers include First Lady Laura Bush and Jim Towey, Director of the White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

For more information click here to download the full invitation and details in MS Word format.

The Open Society Institute - Baltimore Presents "Rethinking Crime and Punishment in America: Report from the ABA Justice Kennedy Commission" (03/08/2006)

The Open Society Institute-Baltimore, University of Maryland School of Law, American Bar Association and the Maryland State Bar Association present the second in a three panel series: "Rethinking Crime and Punishment in America: Report from the ABA Justice Kennedy Commission" on Wednesday, March 8 from 4.30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the University of Maryland School of Law, Moot Courtroom, 500 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland.

Please RSVP to Justin Schaberg at (410) 234-1092 x213 or jschaberg@sorosny.org by Monday, March 6, 2006.

The School of Law is located at the corner of Paca and Baltimore Streets.  There is a parking garage located across the street from the Law School at 5 N. Paca Street, just after the intersection of Baltimore and Paca Streets.

Baltimore Sun to Host Diversity Career Fair (03/22/2006)

The Baltimore Sun will host a career fair on March 22, 2006 at Sports Legends at Camden Yards, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Baltimore Sun's Diversity Career Fair is an opportunity for employers and prospective employees from all backgrounds and communities to come together in one venue for Baltimore's premiere career event.

MSDE Correctional Education Program Co-Sponsor Inmate Career Fair at MCIW (05/17/2006)

Maryland State Department of Education Correctional Education Program, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the Governor's Advisory Council on Offender Employment Coordination host an Inmate Career Fair at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women, Brockbridge Road, Jessup, MD on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

MCIW needs assistance with professionals to provide interviewing training and service providers to educate inmates on your activities after realeas.

For more information contact: Diana M. Bailey or telephone (410) 767-0531

ABAG to Host "Understanding Corporate Giving Programs and Foundations (05/16/2006)

The Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers (ABAG) host "Understanding Corporate Giving Programs and Foundations" at 2 East Read Street, 2nd Floor, Baltimore on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Representatives from ABAG's corporate membership will share tips for successful corporate partnerships including leveraging volunteer opportunities, understanding corporate priorities and accessing  in-kind resources. This workshop is for nonprofit representatives.

Cost: $30 per participant, advance payment appreciated.

Register for this event

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Greater Homewood Community Corporation, Inc Announces the Position of Learner Advocate

The Greater Homewood Community Corporation, Inc. announces a vacancy in the Adult Literacy and ESOL Program for the position of Learner Advocate.

This 40-hour position takes the lead at the Program for outreach and supporting learners, including recruitment and community education, learner needs assessment, goal setting, professional referrals, and followup. Conducting part of the volunteer tutor training is also expected, as is participation at Program events.

Requirements for the position include:
• Bachelor’s degree required; education, psychology, or counseling preferred;
• Experience in and knowledge of adult education programs and related issues; teaching experience a plus;
• Experience and sensitivity in working collaboratively with diverse populations, including adult clients and volunteers;
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral; comfortable with public speaking and/or training;
• Computer literacy: knowledge of word processing, desktop publishing, and database software;
• Record keeping abilities;
• Must be able to work evenings and Saturdays.

Duties and responsibilities include:
• Providing educational advisement and support for adult learners, including needs assessment, goal setting, and professional referrals;
• Monitoring learner progress, including ongoing follow-up of learners’ changing needs, goal achievement, and evaluation of the Program;
• Taking the lead for outreach and recruitment of learners and volunteers, as well as helping build community awareness of adult education issues;
• Maintaining learner records, including proper documentation of communications and updates and maintaining confidentiality and integrity of participant information;
• Participating in training new volunteer tutors and in professional development workshops;
• Participating in team meetings for Program evaluation and improvement.

This position is grant-funded and reports to the Adult Literacy & ESOL Program Director.

Cover letters and resumes should be submitted:
via FAX to 410-261-3506, Attn: Todd Elliott, or via EMAIL to telliott@greaterhomewood.org

Please use “Learner Advocate” in the subject line. No phone calls.

Baltimore Community Foundation Seeks Administrative Assistant to the Donor Services and Finance Departments

The Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) seeks an Administrative Assistant to support two key departments with members of their Finance and Donor Services staff. The Administrative Assistant will join a fast-paced, dynamic organization dedicated to inspiring donors to improve the quality of life in the Baltimore region through grantmaking, civic leadership and strategic investments. The person holding this position must be self-motivated, well organized and able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Download Administrative Assistant job description in MS Word format.

MD National HIRE Network Promote the Baltimore City Mayoral Fellowship Application - Summer 2006

The Baltimore City Mayoral Fellowship is now accepting applications from undergrads in their junior, senior year or recently graduated and any students in or recently graduated from graduate school.

The summer 2006 Fellowship application deadline is March 1, 2006.

The 2005 stipend was $4,500 for graduate students and $3,500 for undergraduate students.

Baltimore's Ex-offender Initiative through the Mayor's Office of Employment Development invites students to apply for this outstanding opportunity.

Students placed within the Baltimore Ex-offender Initiative will:

* Assist returning ex-prisoners to needed services.
* Learn from Baltimore and Maryland policymakers.
* Provide needed research in national offender reentry best practices.
* Collaborate with community and faith-based organizations regarding Baltimore reentry activities.

Click here to learn more about this opportunity.

For more information contact: Felix Mata by telephone (410) 523-1060

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Please submit your resumes to:
America Works, Inc.
228 East 45 Street
16th Floor
New York, NY 10017

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