LARGO,
Md., Jan. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On
January 16, Employ Prince George's
(EPG) announced the official launch of the Equity & Economic
Stability Department, Employ DMV, Employ Baltimore, the Equity
& Economic Stability Initiative, and 4 Wheels for
Work, embarking on a pivotal regional effort.
Increasing their services to Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, and the Baltimore Region
of Maryland, Employ Prince
George's announced the launch of Employ DMV and Employ Baltimore,
along with several initiatives to unite workforce development and
educational services providers in a comprehensive effort to drive
economic mobility for youth and families in the DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia (DMV) regions. Employ DMV
established its foundation on the successful framework and program
model of its sister organization, Employ Prince George's, offering
employee recruitment services and residents skill-building
opportunities in key sectors like Transportation, Information
Technology, Construction & Real Estate, Hospitality and
Healthcare. Included in their regional expansion is the launch of a
vehicle disbursement program to provide vehicles to graduating
seniors and adult job seekers securing employment. This expansion
will address talent shortages, service delivery gaps, and various
challenges working families encounter throughout the DMV.
"Maryland is a
thriving state, with lots of wealth, but still, we know that data
shows almost 40% of our residents are living in poverty or right
above, with many being one paycheck away from experiencing
immediate poverty. Our goal with this effort is to unite service
providers across the region to leverage our resources to move our
young people and families toward livable wage employment and
economic prosperity." Said Walter
Simmons, President and CEO, Employ Prince George's.
Supported by the Council for Adult and
Experiential Learning (CAEL) and Verizon, the Employ Prince
George's and Employ DMV's Equity & Economic Stability
Initiative aims to unite service providers and empower youth and
families across the DC and Baltimore Metropolitan Regions toward
economic stability and prosperity, through employment. This
initiative will integrate workforce development services and skills
upgrading training with essential needs support, financial and
computer literacy training, and opportunities to own a
vehicle.
At the event, guest speakers from CAEL, Verizon
and Vehicles for Change shared their insights, alongside our host
Marchelle LeBlanc, Director, Laurel
Multiservice Center, Atif Chaudry,
Secretary, Maryland Department of
General Services and Raymond Harmon,
Program Director, Full Circle Auto Repair & Training
Center.
"Too many Marylanders are currently locked out of
economic mobility and high-paying roles either because of
insufficient access to education or systemic barriers, such as food
insecurity, inadequate childcare, and a lack of affordable
housing," said Earl Buford,
President, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). "The
Employ Prince George's team has a well-deserved innovation in the
workforce development space, and we're thrilled to bring their
expertise, energy, and fresh thinking to bear as a partner in
helping more adult learners chart pathways to rewarding careers in
financial services."
Candice D. Austin,
Director, State Government & Local Affairs, Verizon emphasize
that, "At Verizon, we are committed to driving innovation and
empowering communities through technology. We are thrilled today to
partner with Employ Prince George's for their Equity & Economic
Stability Initiative and remain committed to workforce development,
assisting residents in the DMV region to achieve their career
goals.
The event marked the expansion of Employ Prince
George's from Prince George's
County to the entire DMV, including the Baltimore
Metropolitan Region, with the introduction of Employ DMV and Employ
Baltimore as part of this regional initiative that provides
workforce development services for job seekers and businesses, a
true testament of Employ Prince George's Collective Impact efforts
in the region.
Additionally, the unveiling of the 4 Wheels for
Work, showcased a revolutionary effort to change lives, increase
access to reliable transportation, while driving economic progress
In collaboration with Prince George's County
Government, Vehicles for Change and the Full Circle Auto
Repair & Training Center, which focuses on empowering returning
citizens by equipping them with the necessary skills and resources
through a comprehensive automotive mechanic training program, 4
Wheels for Work awards vehicles to eligible residents who have been
offered employment or in need of reliable transportation to
maintain employment. This initiative underscores Employ Prince
George's commitment to creating opportunities for all members of
the community to thrive in a rapidly evolving society. Over the
next six months Employ Prince George's will work to expand the
effort to providing access to high school graduates who complete a
Career and Technical Education (CTE) or Registered Apprenticeship
program.
"We are thrilled to announce this partnership
with Employ Prince George's, an organization we've collaborated
with for many years. Expanding our footprint in Prince George's County means we can repair
even more donated vehicles, creating opportunities for those who
need them most," stated Martin
Schwartz, President, Vehicles for Change. "Transportation is
a critical factor in breaking down barriers to employment and
education, and together, we are building pathways to help
individuals and families overcome generational poverty. This
partnership reflects our shared commitment to making a lasting
impact in the community."
A pivotal moment of the launch was the call to
action, inviting partners to join Employ Prince George's and Employ
DMV in fostering economic equity and prosperity across the DMV. The
moment builds on EPG's mission that, together, we will build a
strong network focused on service delivery, fundraising, career
development, and the establishment of a DMV Economic Mobility
Community Network.
About Employ Prince George's:
Employ Prince
George's (EPG) provides workforce intelligence and solutions
for the job seeker and business. EPG's mission is to contribute to
the economic vitality of Prince George's
County by providing a demand-driven system that delivers
qualified workers to business and provides job seekers with
opportunities for careers in high-demand/high-growth
industries.
For more information, please visit
employpg.org.
About Prince George's County American Job
Center Community Network:
The Prince George's County American Job Center
Community Network is a collaborative network operated by Employ
Prince George's, connecting jobseekers to training and employment
opportunities across Prince George's
County, Maryland. Leveraging the core principle of
PARTNERSHIP, the network combines government funding with community
resources to provide high-quality career services, education, and
training to empower individuals in the county.
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SOURCE Employ Prince George's