SkillWorks: Partners for a Productive Workforce successfully promotes workforce development in the city of Boston because of a community of non-profit agencies, employers, philanthropic organizations and participants. It's a priority for us to keep you informed on the work of the initiative so that together we can provide creative leadership for and solutions to our region's workforce challenges. |
SkillWorks Participant Profile: Elsa Lopez
Elsa Lopez: Building Services Career Path Project
Elsa Lopez is from El Salvador. She has three daughters, 22, 15, and 10, and one grandson and has worked at Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) for 3 years and for Unicco and other contractors in the building services industry for more than 15 years. She is a member of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 615.
Through her participation in the career path project, Lopez has been able to take English classes at the Convention Center.
"I clean the administration offices at the convention center. Before, I didn't like it when someone like Jim Rooney, the director, approached me in the hall. I was afraid and would try to move away. Now I hold a conversation. I ask, 'Did you understand me?'
"This program is important for my children too. I can understand when they speak on the phone or to their friends. It is hard because they speak so fast, but it is important that I can understand and then ask them about what they are doing, where they are going.
"The class has motivated me beyond my job. I have started citizenship class because I am now more comfortable. My daughter always says to me, 'Mami, you have to study please,' just like I tell her. My time is so limited. Now I have some time with this class two hours a week. Just think if there has been this much effect from so few hours, what it will be like if we had more class time."
People are the key to SkillWorks' success. We hope these stories help inform and inspire you. If you know someone you think should be profiled, please contact Loh-Sze Leung at lohsze.leung@tbf.org.
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REMINDER: SkillWorks on Urban Update this Sunday, March 23rd, at 11:30 a.m.
SkillWorks participants will appear on Urban Update this Sunday, March 23rd, at 11:30 a.m. on WHDH, Channel 7. SkillWorks Director Loh-Sze Leung, Doubletree Guest Suites General Manager Chris Coffin, Back Bay Hilton employee Carlos Arboleda, and Hotel Career Center manager Zeida Santos will discuss the importance of the SkillWorks model to the hospitality industry in Boston. Tune in this Sunday to hear their discussion about the positive impact SkillWorks has had on their lives and industry. |
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 Tribute to Angel Bermudez
A reception honoring Angel Bermudez, a driving force behind the creation of the SkillWorks initiative, will be held on Tuesday, March 25th from 5 to 7 p.m. at the UMass Club in downtown Boston (225 Franklin Street, 33rd Floor).
Co-sponsored by SkillWorks; the Commonwealth Seminar; the Civic Engagement Initiative; the Initiative for Diversity in Civic Leadership; Oiste: The Massachusetts Latino Civic Education Initiative; and the Massachusetts Communities Action Network, the reception will thank Angel for 15 years of work in furthering the goals of workforce development, civic engagement and community building in the city of Boston. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP at www.masscs.org by March 20. |
 Introducing Jill Lacey Griffin
Jill Lacey Griffin has recently joined the SkillWorks Funders Group in her capacity as Program Director of Workforce Development, Health and Human Services, and the Urban Environment at The Boston Foundation. Griffin previously served within the city of Boston as Assistant Director for Economic Initiatives with the Boston Redevelopment Authority. Additionally, she is a former Special Assistant to Mayor Thomas Menino. |
Grant Announcements
$65,000 to Jewish Vocational Services for the Healthcare Training Institute (formerly the Boston Healthcare and Research Training Institute), providing education and training services in the Longwood Medical Area.
$250,000 to the Partnership for Automotive and Career Education for a fourth year grant to continue pre-employment and incumbent worker services for the automotive industry.
$27,038 to the Building Services Career Path Project for a capacity building grant to set up and implement the new Education and Training Trust Fund. |
Legislative and Policy Update
Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund. Governor Patrick has included $15 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund in his House II budget. Please send a letter to your state representatives and senators and ask them to support $15 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund in their FY09 budgets as well. For more on the Trust Fund, please see www.commcorp.org/wctf/index.html.
Educational Rewards Grant Program. The Educational Rewards Grant Program was established with $1.5 million as part of the 2006 Economic Stimulus Package. After it was implemented last summer, approximately $800,000 was drawn down and $700,000 remains for financial aid to low-income (under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level), part-time college students in Massachusetts, many of whom are working adults. This grant program can pay for tuition and books as well as for living expenses. Please spread the word to make sure that eligible students get the help they need. More information and the application for grants can be found at www.osfa.mass.edu/default.asp?page=educationalRewardsGrant
Life Sciences Bill. The House Life Sciences Bill included $55 million for workforce efforts related to this industry, with a significant portion anticipated for career pathway projects addressing preparation for entry-and mid- level jobs. Stay tuned for more updates on this bill.
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Sharing Skills, Building Connections Conference
SkillWorks joined the Commonwealth Corporation, Commonwealth Workforce Coalition and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley in sponsoring the fifth annual statewide conference of workforce development professionals on Wednesday, March 12th at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.
SkillWorks sponsored an informational session on how to draw down funds through the Food Stamp Employment and Training Program (with the Workforce Solutions Group and UMass Medical School, the entity administering the program) and a session on working with higher education partners (with the Community Health Worker Initiative and North Shore Community College). Handouts from both sessions will be posted on the SkillWorks website.
For more information on the conference and other resources offered by the Commonwealth Workforce Coalition, please see cwc.cedac.org.
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Coming Up with SkillWorks
Save the Date: June 3 at the Boston Sheraton- SkillWorks Phase II Launch event.
Phase II planning for SkillWorks continues - stay tuned for more information about the future of the SkillWorks initiative!
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| Director's Remarks
Spring is right around the corner, and many new beginnings accompany the new season.
SkillWorks said farewell to Angel Bermudez, chair of the Funders Group, in January, when he left the Boston Foundation after 15 years of service. He will be greatly missed by the funders, staff and grantees, and we look forward to honoring him at a celebratory event on March 25.
At the same time, I am happy to welcome Jill Lacey Griffin to the SkillWorks Funders Group. Jill comes to the Boston Foundation from the Boston Redevelopment Authority and brings with her a background in economic development. Most recently, her projects have included the city's Green Jobs, Back Streets and Main Streets initiatives.
I am also happy to announce that the Boston Health Care and Research Training Initiative has been rebranded and relaunched as the Healthcare Training Institute by Jewish Vocational Services. The project, which includes most of the same employer partners in the Longwood Medical Area, continues to provide education and training for incumbent workers. There's a brief note on the program in the Boston Globe.
Finally, SkillWorks is looking forward to announcing a second phase of work to begin in FY2009. We are currently planning a June 3 launch announcement at the Sheraton Boston. Please save the date and look for an invitation to follow later this spring.
I have one request during this budget season. Please take a moment to send a letter to your state representatives and senators on the importance of funding the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund.
We estimate that $15 million in the Trust Fund means 5,500 people in job training programs statewide! Governor Patrick has included $15 million in the FY2009 budget for the Trust Fund, and we would like the legislature to do the same.
Thank you for all you do,
Loh-Sze Leung
Director |
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SkillWorks Funders
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The Annie E. Casey Foundation
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The Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund and the Frank W. and Carl S. Adams Memorial Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
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Boston 2004
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The Boston Foundation
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The City of Boston's Neighborhood Jobs Trust
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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The Hyams Foundation
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The Clowes Fund, Inc
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The Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust
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The John Merck Fund
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The Paul and Phyllis Fireman Foundation
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The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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The Rockefeller Foundation
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State Street Foundation
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The William Randolph Hearst Foundation
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United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley |
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SkillWorks Partnerships
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Boston Health Care and Research Training Institute
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Building Services Career Path Project
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Community Health Worker Initiative of Boston
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Hotel Career Center
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Partners for Career and Workforce Development
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Partnership for Automotive and Career Education
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Workforce Solutions Group
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Featured Resources
For more information on drawing down Food Stamp Employment and Training Program reimbursement, please contact Anthony Owumi, program administrator for UMass Medical Center, at 617-886-8107 or anthony.owumi@umassmed.edu
For an overview of the state's workforce system, please see
www.massworkforcealliance.org and click on "Working to Succeed," sponsored by SkillWorks together with the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.
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