• JOTF Co-Hosts a Breakfast Highlighting the Need to Educate Employers about Hiring Ex-Offenders
• Pre-Apprenticeship Program (Project JumpStart) Update

OTHER NEWS

• Baltimore Sun, "The urban desert" (Opinion)
• Baltimore Sun, "Lowering the 'ghetto tax' " (Opinion)
• Baltimore Sun, "Poorer city residents pay more for goods "
• Baltimore Sun, "Finding a Way, Leaders and residents offer possible cures for the American Brewery neighborhood"

OPPORTUNITIES

• Baltimore CASH Campaign Seeks Tax Operations Coordinator
• The Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED) Posts a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the East Baltimore Neighborhood Pipeline Project
• University of Maryland School of Social Work Community Outreach Service Seeks Community School Site Coordinator
• Washington Village/Pigtown Neighborhood Planning Council Youth Services Program Seeks Literacy Instructor
• Primo Electric Company / Primenet Inc Job Opportunities

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Maryland employers are interested in hiring ex-offenders but want to know more about the risks and rewards. This was one of many important messages revealed at a July 17 th forum that brought together over 60 employers, business groups, government officials and workforce development leaders. Forum participants discussed the issue of hiring ex-offenders and brainstormed ways to increase workforce opportunities for people with criminal backgrounds.

The event was co-sponsored by the Job Opportunities Task Force (JOTF), the Greater Baltimore Committee, Open Society Institute – Baltimore, the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board.

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Baltimore Sun, "The urban desert" (Opinion)

A report released last week looked at what was termed the ‘food deserts’ of Chicago’s South and West Sides exploring their impact on the health of their residents. The study suggests correlation between access to good nutrition and public health. This year, University of Michigan researchers found that poor minority areas in Baltimore City and the County have fewer healthy food options than the more affluent communities.

Baltimore Sun, "Lowering the 'ghetto tax' " (Opinion)

It's an urban irony: The people least able to afford essential goods and services have to shell out more to get them. In the parlance of street economics, it's called the "ghetto tax."

The Brookings Institution's Matt Fellowes points out, in a recent study of poverty in Baltimore and 11 other metropolitan centers, that finding ways of reducing the ghetto tax - drawing banks and supermarkets into low-income neighborhoods and conjuring other price-dipping innovations - by just 1 percent could put $6.5 billion back into the hands of poor city residents across the country.

With support from the Abell Foundation JOTF is preparing a study that further explores this issue.

Read "Lowering the 'ghetto tax'"

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Baltimore Sun, "Poorer city residents pay more for goods "

The Baltimore Sun’s Eric Seigel reports on the Brookings Institution’s recently released study that says additional costs can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year per family. Low-income families in the Baltimore region and 11 other major metro areas seem to pay more than their wealthier counterparts for a wide variety of basic foods and services, money that could be used for education and healthcare expenses for children.

Baltimore Sun, "Finding a Way, Leaders and residents offer possible cures for the American Brewery neighborhood"

An array of Baltimore community and political leaders and citizens are asked, what can be done now to improve residents’ lives and raise hopes for a brighter future around the old American Brewery neighborhood?

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The Baltimore CASH Campaign works to promote economic stability and empowerment for low-income households in the Baltimore area.  The Campaign is entering its 6 th year and is the work of a coalition of that includes nonprofits, foundations, community-based organizations, Baltimore City government agencies, the IRS, and hundreds of volunteers.  The campaign focuses on helping working families maximize their financial opportunities and resources through the following activities:

• Conducting marketing and outreach about the EITC and the dangers and costs of Rapid Anticipation Loans and similar loan products
• Providing free income tax preparation to low- and moderate-income families to assist them in claiming the EITC and other available tax credits;
• And, connecting clients to asset development resources, including financial literacy counseling, home buying workshops, and matched savings programs.

For the 2005-2006 tax season, the Baltimore CASH Campaign prepared over 6,100 tax returns at 17 sites throughout Baltimore City and Baltimore County.  Over $11 million in federal and state refunds were brought back to Baltimore communities.

Requirements:

The Operations Coordinator will primarily provide technical assistance and support to community tax preparation sites throughout Baltimore City.  The coordinator will work under the supervision of the Operations Director and the Campaign Director and will be responsible for the following activities to support the campaign:  

Tax Site Operations (during season)

1.       Coordinate volunteer tax preparation training
2.       Manage web-based scheduling service contract
3.       Provide technical assistance and quality checks to sites as needed during tax season (including Saturdays from the beginning of January through March 10, 2007)
4.       Manage the data collection process  

Tax Site Support (off season)

1.               Assist in expansion of tax services in Baltimore – including identifying potential partners and resources, coordinating meetings of key stakeholders, and negotiating partnerships
2.       Develop training and capacity building opportunities
3.       Assist with hiring of short-term paid-staff support for campaign sites
4.       Prepare materials for tax season training and on-site procedures  

Qualifications

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree—preferably in accounting, law, or business, or have experience in accounting and tax preparation; with a minimum of 3 years experience. Candidate must be self-starter with excellent computer and project management skills.

This is a full-time position with salary range of $35,000-$40,000 depending on experience, plus benefits.

Resumes are due by September 6, 2006

Please send resumes to Joanna@mvlslaw.org or fax 410-837-0431.

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The East Baltimore Neighborhood Pipeline Project is funded through a grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF). It is to help:

• Build the pipeline of qualified East Baltimore residents who can fill Baltimore’s entry-level jobs,
• Build the capacity of individual organizations to assist individuals to become job ready through the use of a set of standardized training methods and curriculum which will deliver a more consistent pool of job ready candidates, and
• Build the network of employers who recognize the graduates of participating organizations as job ready candidates.

The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) with the Annie E. Casey Foundation will oversee a 12-month project with selected organizations who agree to:

• Integrate the East Baltimore Pipeline Job Readiness Curriculum and specific assessment, case management and placement tools into the organization’s job readiness protocols;
• Identify employers who will partner with the individual organization and hire project completers; and
• Participate in organizational capacity building / professional development activities.

Two to four organizations will be awarded grants in amounts between $25,000 and $35,000 to provide services to East Baltimore City residents.

Download instructions for responding to the RFQ in PDF format

The due date is August 28, 2006

All questions regarding this application should be submitted via email to pipeline[@]oedworks.com. The questions and answers will be posted on the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board (BWIB) and MOED websites by August 8, 2006. No questions will be answered by phone or in person.

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University of Maryland School of Social Work Community Outreach Service Seeks Community School Site Coordinator

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; it’s 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 in MS Word format

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