Community Empowerment Cluster

Employment

Minneapolis residents who are 22 years old or older, will develop their careers by finding meaningful employment at a livable wage or enrolling in training for advancement opportunities

Results in 2006: 

• Served 61 people in ex-offender placement program
• Placed 25 in unsubsidized employment
• Average wage upon completion of program was $10.56
• 18 clients maintained employment for at least 90 days
• 13 clients maintained employment for at least 183 days

Client Profile: Tim, a 28 year-old African American father of two, came to the Urban League seeking help with his job search. Staff enrolled him in two initial programs, the World-of-Work orientation and the resume writing workshop. Tim was assigned a job counselor who advised him how to scan job books, online postings, and newspaper classifieds for suitable employment. Tim’s counselor also referred him to a company with openings. After receiving some helpful tips from his counselor, Tim had a successful interview with the company and was hired as a Customer Service Representative at a wage of $12 per hour. He has been with the company now for five months and will receive a $1 per hour raise after his upcoming 6-month review.

Highlights of 2006:

• Over 3000 people used self-service employment search tools at MUL
• Over 1500 people received employment information or referral from MUL staff

• 100 applicants will be assessed for employment readiness
• 80 clients will be enrolled in the Adult Placement program
• 80 clients will attend a softskills workshop
• 60 clients will be placed in unsubsidized employment at jobs paying at least $8.00 per hour
• 42 clients will maintain employment for at least 30 days
• 30 clients will maintain employment for at least 60 days

Anticipated Barriers to Success in 2007:

• Finding employment for people with felony records is difficult
• Job market for entry level jobs continues to be highly competitive
• Maintaining follow-up with highly mobile clients is a challenge

2007 Funding Sources: General contributors

2007 Budget: $90,000

If you are interested in the program, please call (612) 302-3100.

Minorities and women, age 18 and older, will obtain employment in apprenticed occupations. Unions and employers will actively develop apprenticeship opportunities for minorities and women

Results in 2006:

• 65 clients enrolled in program
• Average wage at placement was $19.43
   

Client Profile: John and his family were forced to relocate to Minnesota in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He came to the program searching for work and indicated that he had welding skills. The program manager contacted the Iron Workers Local 512 to inquire about placing him in a position somewhere. After hearing John’s story, they asked him to immediately come out and sign up at the local union hall. Shortly thereafter, the union hall contacted MUL stating that they had a job for John and that he would need an iron workers belt. The program manager indicated that the Urban League would pay for his belt and his first month union dues. Once John started his job, the program manager contacted the union to document his wage information. John was now making $34.40 per hour take home, with a benefits package that put him at $48.45 per hour, twice what he was making on his previous job.

Highlights of 2006:

• Intake and assess 100 clients
• Place 62 clients in employment
• Average wage at placement will be at least $11 per hour
• 47 clients will maintain employment for at least 183 days
• 20 clients will maintain employment for at least 365 days

Anticipated Barriers to Success in 2007:

• Slower than normal hiring cycle in the construction trades will increase competition
• Many highly skilled and experienced workers are ‘”sitting on the bench”, meaning they will be first in line for any upcoming openings in 2007

2007 Budget: $165,170

Participants will find and retain full-time employment that will allow them to eliminate dependence on public financial assistance and become self-sufficient.

Results in 2006:

• Average number on caseload in 2006 was 128
• 61% of cases were terminated due to placement in employment
• Average wage at termination was $10.60
• 87% of clients placed maintained employment for at least 90 days
• 80% of clients placed maintained employment for at least 180 days

Client Profile: Sharon, a 36 year old single mother of three, had alternated between minimum wage jobs and welfare for several years before moving to Minnesota. When she arrived at the Urban League she had already used up most of her allowance for public assistance. Although Sharon had graduated from high school, her reading and math scores were unusually low. A further psychological health assessment revealed that she had pronounced learning disabilities and suffered from severe depression. She was not capable of holding a job at the time. Minneapolis Urban League staff arranged for a medical hold pending Sharon’s application for Social Security Insurance. This allowed her to receive mental health treatment which then gave her the opportunity to begin working toward workplace readiness. Malika, a 36 year-old mother of three, had recently been released from a women’s facility where she served nine-months for a felony-level conviction. Upon release she applied for Public Assistance and immediately began job searching. Although Malika had some positive work history and above-average technical skills, she was unsuccessful in securing employment at a livable-wage due to her criminal background.

Highlights of 2006:

• 100% of referral clients were enrolled, sanctioned, and exempted within 90 days of contacting us

Anticipated Outcomes for 2007:

• Manage a continuous caseload of 125 clients
• 48% of caseload will be terminated due to employment
• Average wage of employed cases will be $8.55
• Average wage at termination will be $9.74
• 76% of clients will maintain employment for at least 90 days
• 67% of clients will maintain employment for at least 180 days
• 95% of referrals will be enrolled, sanctioned, and exempted within 90 days
• 48% of caseload will meet the MFIP participation rate

Anticipated Barriers to Success in 2007:

• Decreasing number of liveable wage jobs available ($12.00/hr for a single person, $19.25/hr for a single mother with 2 children)
• Lack of client focus on developing careers instead of finding jobs

2007 Budget: $358,250

If you are interested in the program, please call (612) 827-9272.

Youth, age 14-21, will complete high school credits, increase knowledge of career opportunities, and develop skills in preparation for employment or further training

Client Profile: At age 21, Terry had been looking for work since high school. He was hoping to find a job so he could move out of his parents house and be a role model to his little brother. He came to the Urban League for help with his job seeking and interviewing skills. Terry’s counselor helped him develop a resume that highlighted his volunteer and work experience. He began applying for jobs on the internet. One of the companies he applied to sent a representative to the Urban League to meet with our placement staff, and Terry’s counselor was able to recommend him. The company representative was convinced to give Terry a chance after she experienced, first-hand, the support Terry would receive from the Urban League. After a successful interview, Terry got the job, bought a car, moved into his own apartment, and has become a good role model for his little brother.

2006 Highlights:

• Secured contract with the City of Minneapolis to provide additional employment and training services to older youth age 17-21
   

Anticipated Outcomes for 2007: