Specialized Education Services, Inc.的动态

Excellence in action…

Thank you so much for the partnership Washington Workforce Association for your work to advance the Community Reinvestment Plan Workforce Strategies that are making an impact. State-Funded IDAs (Individual Development Accounts): Washington’s Community Reinvestment Project (CRP) reintroduces state-supported IDAs, offering low-income individuals matched savings up to $10,000 for education, homeownership, and business development. Similar to investments in neighboring states like Oregon and California, enhancing economic mobility and stability by providing essential financial tools to build long-term assets. Focus on Underemployment: The CRP and Poverty Reduction Workgroup are driving a shift in Washington’s workforce system to address underemployment alongside unemployment. Programs like the EcSA Career Accelerator provide financial incentives, job training, financial coaching, and asset-building opportunities, integrating diverse services to support long-term financial stability and prevent economic crises. Small Business Grant Program: Washington’s CRP launched its first Small Business Grant Program, focusing on equitable economic development for underserved communities. Engaging over 820 Black, Latine, and Tribal-owned businesses, the program offers grants, workforce development support, and subsidized training for hiring and skills development. Business Navigators assist with resources to drive operations growth, promote good-paying careers, and dismantle systemic barriers, fostering economic stability and job creation in historically marginalized communities.

There’s an exciting trend developing; people who don’t come from a “fire background” are being drawn to the fire space, bringing new perspectives, talents and experience to bear on the wildfire crisis. Seth Schalet is a great example. Drawing on decades of business and philanthropy leadership experience, Seth turned the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council into the only such organization to pay its own way, with profitable operations and a full time staff. As he’s done many times with previous ventures, he’s used his keen business skillls and powerful collaborative abilities to turn SCCFC into a brilliantly effective and self sustaining model for other non-profits. Very few people understand the concept of “no margin, no mission” as well as does this dynamic CEO. And as I mention in the show, Seth Schalet is one of the best examples of what it means to be a mensch. (Look it up if you don’t know the term.) Learn a few of his secrets to success here in his fascinating interview. Spoiler, it begins with character, integrity, humility, curiosity, and drive.

Join the Zone In: City Core community meeting to review the proposed rezoning plans, share community feedback, and learn the next steps in rezoning your neighborhood. Reconnect with the Zone In: City Core Leadership Circle and invite your neighbors! Learn more at bit.ly/zicc_zoning_draft.

FVA Member Spotlight: Get to know Lisa Mascellino, M.Ed., Director of AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP, at Vantage Aging. Question: What do you enjoy most about managing volunteers? Lisa: The amazing people we get to meet! I enjoy learning about our volunteers, their lives, experiences, and passions. When I have the opportunity to table at an event with our volunteers, it is so rewarding. I have learned so much from them. Read more here - https://lnkd.in/gGZUBTqB

I have a professional update to celebrate (and others to come!). I have been selected the 2024 Educator of the Year by the Minnesota State Board of Trustees. This is the highest honor award for excellence in teaching in the entire Minnesota State system. Only 4 are selected out of dozens of applications. I am grateful to have several mentors and inspiring students in my professional journey who motivated me to pursue better and more innovative ways to delivery my teaching and to connect students to more relatable experiences and real world examples with maintaining high academic rigor. Some of my innovations include mixing a traditional course on Labor Economics with a study abroad component, jigsaw activities to discussed peer-reviewed articles, simulations of immigration process experiences, Pre and Post Debates, self introductions in online courses with sharing gratitude and savoring experiences, and incorporating students to real data to analyze local issues. Further, my activities also include direct discussions on equity, disparities, implicit bias, and examples that demystify the economics profession. #IlookLikeAnEconomist

The community development finance industry is at an inflection point. Challenging, yes. Volatile, yes. But also ripe with opportunity. Read about President and CEO Harold Pettigrew, Jr.'s first year at OFN, in his own words. #LetsGetToWork #CDFIs #EconomicJustice #ClimateJustice

To echo some of my co-fellow's (Emiyah Watkins) thoughts, please see the video posted below for a deeper look into our journeys serving with the Americorps Lead for North Carolina Program. #Ilovegoodgovernment?#Americorps?#LeadforNC?#UNCSOG

This is very insightful.

Go to High School Go to College The "Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College" program, established in 1922, concentrates on the importance of completing secondary and collegiate education as a road to advancement. Statistics prove the value of this extra impetus in making the difference in the success of young African-American men, given that school completion is the single best predictor of future economic success. Through the Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College educational initiative, young men receive information and learn strategies that facilitate success. Alpha men provide youth participants with excellent role models to emulate.