Jewish Family and Career Services, a Metro United Way partner agency, receives federal grant for state-wide online career assistance portal

 

During the economic downturn of the last two years, many Kentucky families have struggled to make ends meet after losing a source of income due to layoffs and company closings.  As the economy begins to recover, United Way organizations and their agencies now have a state-wide partner for career assistance referrals.  Jewish Family and Career Services (JFCS) in Louisville, a Metro United Way partner agency, is one of nine recipients of a $2.9 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.  This two year grant, called The Gateway Project, will allow JFCS to work across Kentucky with service providers, career changers, job seekers, and individuals returning to the workforce to help participants learn how to most effectively access and use on-line career information.

The Gateway to Careers - Job Seeker's Guide takes individuals through five sequential steps:  

• Assess Yourself: Skills, Interest and Work Values Assessments
• Explore Careers: Occupational Outlook, information on Careers
• Create a Plan and Set Goals: Information on setting long and short-term career goals, creating a realistic career plan, financial management
• Expand Skills: Information on training/education resources, how to apply for financial aid, how to keep advancing your career
• Find a Job: Information such as resume writing, networking and interviewing tips as well as links to local job boards

Throughout the site there are exercises and information on areas such as soft skills, budgeting and crafting an elevator speech.

Later this year, The Gateway to Careers - Job Seeker's Guide will be linked to a Virtual Career Network with online career information focused on those with experience or interest in the healthcare sector.  A workforce with access to this information provides employers with work-ready employees who truly enjoy what they do, and serves as a valuable retention tool.

To learn more about The Gateway Project, as well as other JFCS services, please visit www.jfcslouisville.org/career.html and click on the blue icon on the right side of the page, or contact Myra Campbell at mcampbell@jfcslouisville.org or 502-452-6341 ext 301.

U.S. Bank wins 2011 United Way Spirit of America Award

 

Last week, at the United Way Worldwide Staff Leaders Conference, U.S. Bank was announced as the winner of the 2011 United Way Spirit of America Award!

U.S. Bank partners closely with United Ways here in Kentucky and across the country.  As part of their 2010 United Way campaign, Richard Davis, chairman, president and chief executive officer for U.S. Bancorp, the parent company of U.S. Bank, called employees to action, asking them to "Dare to Dream" of a community where everyone could live a healthy life.  Employees responded wholeheartedly, leading U.S. Bank to a $12.5 million United Way campaign, an 11% increase from the previous year.  The Bank also provided an $25.8 million to support programs focused on improving financial stability, including financial education, job training and affordable housing.  Further, over 36,000 U.S. Bank employees volunteered to help over 217,000 individuals and families with home buying, basic banking and more.

"It is an honor to be recognized by United Way, an organization that truly makes a difference by providing a wide variety of services and assistance to those in need in communities across the country," said Davis. "I am especially proud of our employees whose contributions, service and partnership with United Way have helped to make our communities stronger, healthier and more vibrant places to live, work and play."

Doug Eberhart, President and CEO of United Way of Southern Kentucky, was an invited guest to the ceremony, celebrating the Bank's partnership with United Way in the Bowling Green area. "We are proud of the U.S. Bank-United Way partnership and its many accomplishments.  U.S. Bank is a strong community partner not only in our region but throughout the country.  They demonstrate the ideal of LIVE UNITED by donating their time, talent and expertise to provide help to those in need." 

Congratulations, U.S. Bank!  Thank you for LIVING UNITED!

The State of Preschool 2010 Yearbook 

 

The 2010 State of Preschool Yearbook is the eighth in a series of annual reports profiling state-funded prekindergarten programs in the United States.  For the first time ever, in 2010, Kentucky received a score of 9 out of 10 points on the report's "Quality Standards Checklist", with state requirements for quality preschools meeting or exceeding defined benchmarks. 

 

However, this news comes in the context of Kentucky's decrease in state preschool funding from a high of $3,818 per pupil in 2007 to $3,103 in 2010.  Kentucky is not the only state to experience funding cuts as overall funding across the country decreased for the first time since 2002.

The report, funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, was released late last month by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).  You can read the both the full report and the Kentucky report at the links below.

Kentucky Report
The full 2010 State of Preschool Yearbook
NIEER press release

 

 

Got six minutes?  Check out these videos... 

Six spare minutes may be hard to come by these days, but we believe these two videos are well worth the time for anyone interested in child advocacy. 

First up, we have "Why Early Learning Matters" (1 min. 53 sec.) from the First Five Years Fund.  FFYF helps America achieve better results in education, health, and economic productivity through investments in quality early childhood education for disadvantaged children from birth to age five.

Next, we have "I Am Florida" (4 min. 15 sec.), a video from the Children's Movement of Florida which calls for making early childhood investment very first priority in policy decisions, from the voices of the children themselves.

Enjoy!

 

United Way Southern Institute: Early bird rate extended!
Asheville, NC · June 1-3 

Missed the Staff Leaders Conference last week?  Don't worry - there is one more chance this Spring to get the great learning you need at a low cost!  The 2011 Southern Institute is being held in Asheville, NC, June 1-3 and includes an outstanding lineup of timely session topics and powerful keynote speakers!  The early bird rate has been extended to this Friday, May 13.  Registration is only $225, and the United Way room rate begins at $109 a night.  This unique learning opportunity offers content for United Way staff at every level and in every size market.  Register today to receive the discounted rate (flex credits apply)!  JOIN YOUR COLLEAGUES!  ALL UNITED WAY STAFF ARE WELCOME!