В Тексаркане партнерство приюта и центра грамотности помогает бездомным получить квалификацию и работу

Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to ArkLaTex. Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism. TEXARKANA -- A partnership between the Literacy Council of Texarkana and Randy Sams Outreach Shelter is helping residents gain workforce skills, earn job-readiness credentials and move toward employment and independence. The partnership began after Randy Sams board members learned about the National Career Readiness Certificate during a Texarkana Chamber of Commerce presentation at a Wilbur Smith Rotary Club meeting. The Literacy Council was identified as a training and testing site for the program. Jennifer Lacefield, Randy Sams executive director, said the shelter reached out to the chamber and Literacy Council to initiate the training, which consists of small groups and hands-on instruction. Since July, nine Randy Sams residents have enrolled in the Literacy Council's Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy and NCRC programs, according to Lacefield. "Of the nine participating individuals, eight began and are still undergoing the WAGE training," Lacefield said. "Two individuals not only graduated successfully with their WAGE certificate but also successfully received training and certificates for the NCRC job readiness program." Lacefield said two individuals are also working toward obtaining their GED with the Literacy Council, and one non-English-speaking individual is participating in the WAGE training via a translator (provided by the Literacy Council), and taking ESL classes at the Literacy Council. The two who graduated with both certifications promptly obtained employment, according to Lacefield. Lacefield said the training and certifications give shelter residents tools they can use when seeking employment. Jackie Whittington of the Literacy Council said the partnership was in response to the barriers many people experiencing homelessness face beyond finding housing. "Limited literacy and workforce skills can make it difficult to secure employment, navigate community resources, complete applications, understand important documents, and achieve long-term stability," Whittington said. "This partnership brings together organizations that address different pieces of that challenge." Whittington said the program combines foundational literacy instruction with practical workforce skills, including workplace communication, digital literacy, problem-solving, résumé development, job application assistance, and interview preparation. "A key strength of this partnership is that Randy Sams Outreach Shelter provides transportation and extended shelter stays for program participants, removing one of the most common barriers to program participation," Whittington said. The partnership also connects participants with Ground Floor Collective, which provides case management to help residents establish goals and address barriers such as obtaining identification and accessing community resources. Lacefield said the enrollment and graduation of current and future residents of Randy Sams Outreach Shelter in the job readiness courses, GED and ESL classes at the Literacy Council will benefit the Texarkana community by decreasing the incidence of homelessness in Texarkana and creating more effective and long-term solutions and resources available to those experiencing homelessness in the Texarkana community. You're one step away from the full story. Log in or create an account to continue reading. Upcoming Events