Jobs Grant

SAN DIEGO NONPROFIT PARTNERS AWARDED NEARLY $1 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDS FOR JOBS IN CALIFORNIA’S GROWING INDUSTRIES

June 23, 2010 -- The TechWORKS Alliance, a new community partnership between Able-Disabled Advocacy (A-DA) and the San Diego Futures Foundation (SDFF) was awarded $919,955 to provide skills training in information technology. Administered by the California Recovery Task Force, the ARRA funding provides training to prepare low-income, unemployed and disabled workers for work in designated “in-demand” occupations .

The TechWORKS Alliance (TechWORKS) will provide certified training for IT occupations including: Computer and Desktop Support, Help Desk Technician and Microsoft Business Specialist. Able Disabled Advocacy and SDFF are recruiting 120 individuals to participate in TechWORKS training. Training includes classroom instruction, on-line curriculum and certification test preparation. The TechWORKS Alliance will work closely with regional employers to understand their hiring needs and offer qualified graduates. By preparing unemployed workers for IT occupations, TechWORKS benefits both employers and job seekers.

“This is an exceptional opportunity for under and unemployed workers to upgrade their skills and re-enter the workforce in higher paying positions with prospects for growth,” said Elaine Cooluris, Executive Director of A-DA. “We are committed to ensuring this program has excellent results for the participants, the employers and the State of California.”

A-DA and SDFF will begin recruiting students in March, and expect the program to be completed by June 2011.

ABOUT ABLE- DISABLED ADVOCACY

Founded in 1975, Able-Disabled Advocacy (A-DA) is a non-profit organization that provides employment and training services to individuals with all types of disabilities and other barriers to employment. Able-Disabled Advocacy’s mission is to provide vocational skills training and educational advancement for youth and adults with disabilities and to assist them in finding employment and overcoming barriers to personal and financial self-sufficiency.” For more information, log onto www.abledisabledadvocacy.org.

ABOUT SDFF

The San Diego Futures Foundation is San Diego's premier provider of technology to the nonprofit community. SDFF provides opportunities to use technology as a tool to enhance and change lives. Whether it’s developing job skills, building confidence, enhancing life skills, increasing organizational capacity, improving communications, expanding access, or promoting community development, technology helps individuals and organizations achieve their goals. To that end, SDFF has donated more than 23,000 computers and 22,000 hours of technical support to San Diego nonprofits, community-based organizations, schools and families. For more information, log onto www.sdfutures.org/index.htm.

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