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1. Disability Awareness Day
The Diversity in the Workplace Committee is providing a mentoring/job shadowing experience this year on October 21, 2009, Disability Awareness Day. The group is looking to partner with local businesses to offer a two to three hour job shadowing experience for participants. Dubuque area service providers were asked to identify people with disabilities and their area of work interest so they can be matched up according to their interests.
The morning will start out with a breakfast where participants will be matched up with their employers, transportation will then be provided to all that need it to the work sites where the job shadowing experience will begin! This experience is a great opportunity for both employers and participants to understand the positive and rewarding results that come from working with a disabled person and the talents and skills they possess.
2. Diversity in the Workplace Committee
Organizations represented on the committee include: Area Residential Care, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Iowa Workforce Development, Dubuque Community School District, Hillcrest Family Services, Keystone Area Education, Mental Health America, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation, Goodwill Industries, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
3. Keyline Transit
Consultants are currently compiling research gathered from different mediums throughout Dubuque in regards to transportation. Keyline is offering meetings for both the public and stakeholders to attend and voice their opinions, concerns and support for the proposed plan.
Transportation was identified in the questionnaires completed by the community residents as a barrier when seeking employment because there is not a bus schedule that suits the needs of individuals who work at night. Project HOPE recognizes the importance of transportation to employment and acknowledges the need for a more accommodating bus route.
4. Multicultural Family Center – AmeriCorps:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/dubuque/news/multicultural+family+center.htm
The Multicultural Family Center is a program of the Dubuque County Extension and area residents, serving families, youth, and the neighborhood. The center is an inviting and safe place for community members, stimulates connections, and provides programs to foster civic engagement and social and economic success.
Project HOPE has worked with the Multicultural Family Center during Earned Income Tax Credit Outreach, Financial Literacy and the planning for the new center which will be opening up in August.
5. Questionnaires
Throughout the fall of 2008, local area shelters, service providers and other organizations who serve the unemployed and underemployed worked with their clients to identify barriers and challenges in finding employment.
There were 141 surveys completed by individuals in Dubuque identifying that the largest barriers when seeking employment were: transportation, criminal background and a lack of education.
Project HOPE works to eliminate the barriers identified with employers through the Breaking Barriers/Pre-employment strategies class and the Getting Ahead program.
6. Uniform Application
There are many individuals and families living in the Dubuque area that are in need of and utilize many of the services that are offered including healthcare, temporary housing, childcare, transportation, after school programs, homeless assistance weatherization and many more.
Although there are many helpful services that are available for members of the Dubuque community, it is often a tedious and frustrating task for those who are applying for them. Many applicants have neither the time for the skills necessary to adequately complete the application process. In order to make this process simpler, Project HOPE is currently researching alternative options to filling out repetitive paperwork at each agency.
7. Washington Neighborhood
The Community Foundation staff have been actively participating in the Washington Neighborhood Revitalization plan by attending the Citizen Coordinating Committee meetings, providing feedback for the strategic plan and exploring possibilities in marketing Washington Neighborhood businesses. Once established, staff will also participate in the Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation.
To learn more about Project HOPE contact:
Alyssa Hauser
Project HOPE Coordinator
email: alyssa@dbqfoundation.org
phone: 563.588.2700
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